Rover Mini Cooper - SOLD

Iconic style, quintessentially British and with an ability to keep reinventing itself, the Mini, is one of the most instantly recognisable cars in the world. Originally designed by Sir Alex Issigonis the Mini was originally launched in August 1959 as the Morris Mini Minor and the Austin Seven, by 1961 it became just the Austin Mini and then after just 8 years and with over 1 million units sold the 'Mini' became a marque in its own right.

Unique in its design, the Mini captured the hearts of many with its transverse engine, front wheel drive layout and incredibly compact dimensions and it quickly became one the best selling British cars, and with its light steering, excellent balance and nimble driving characteristics the Mini became a dominant force in motorsport through the 60's and 70's with multiple wins on the Monte Carlo Rally, 1000 Lakes, British Saloon Car Championships and European Touring Car Championships.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the British market received numerous 'special editions' of the Mini, which shifted the car from a mass-market item into a fashionable icon and it is this that perhaps helped the Mini to become such a valuable asset for BMW,  as in 1994 the company bought the remnants of BMC as the Rover Group. By March 2000, Rover was suffering massive losses and BMW took the decision, in May 2000, to sell off the MG, Rover and Land Rover brands, but retained "Mini" as they planned to develop a new model. Granting Rover temporary rights to the brand and allowing them to manufacture and sell the run-out model the final range consisted of the 'Mini Classic', 'Classic Cooper', 'Cooper Sport' and for the overseas market the "Knightsbrige'. On the 4th October 2000 and with over 5 million units sold, the final Mini, a red Cooper Sport, rolled off the production line.

Absolute Classic Cars are delighted to offer this amazing Mini Cooper Classic (1 of the last 528 Cooper Classics built), showing an incredible 2950 miles from new!! Ordered on the 13th October 2000 from FW Mays & CO Ltd, Rover dealership in Surrey, this Cooper, owned by a husband / wife must be one of the very last Coopers produced and comes with the following specification:

• 1.3i (1275cc) High Compression, Twin-port Fuel injection engine.
• 4 speed manual gearbox.
• Body finished in Solar Red, white roof with twin bonnet strips.
• Optional Electric folding sunroof.
• 12" Sports Style alloy wheels.
• Drivers Airbag.
• Twin driving lights.
• White mirrors.
• Interior finished in black 1/2 leather.
• Leather steering wheel.
• R660 Radio / Cassette.
• Factory Alarm / Immobiliser.

With its staggering low mileage (yes it really is 2950 miles), its not often that we're lost for words when describing a car, but ............! As close to " as new " as your ever likely to find, we believe this must be one of the finest, low mileage and most original examples available. We've taken her on a 10 mile test drive and she performs faultlessly. Driving a Mini is a huge amount of fun, but to open the door and smell 'as new' leather and to sit in and drive such a low mileage example is a real privilege. All the controls work exactly as they should, the electric sunroof folds back and allows the outside to shine in and the with the 1.3i injection engine singing crisply we just know you'll fall in love with her too.

Sold with her original written order form, paperwork confirming delivery for the 9th November 2000, customer correspondence, invoicing for servicing etc, Mini book pack, MOTs (she was kept in temperature control storage from 2009-17, service book showing (services at PDI, 799 miles, 1202 miles, 1776 miles, 1987 miles, 2237 miles), 2 sets of keys (including alarm / immobiliser fobs) this classic Mini Cooper is the finest we've ever seen and is now looking for a new home to cherish this astonishing icon of British motoring.