Classic restomod
What started out as a deceptively clever piece of engineering launched in 1959, turned into a motoring icon and – most surprisingly – a motorsport legend. You have to wonder whether even designer Alec Issigonis could have predicted the extraordinary impact the Mini had.
Back in 2019 we published a brief piece celebrating the car’s 60th birthday and commented: “Even now, the Mini stacks up as an exceptionally clever piece of design, and it’s impossible to come up with something that made better use of the resources and space allocated to its dimimutive package.”
This 1963 example is a locally-assembled car which has been given the restomod treatment to give it the somewhat more glamorous Cooper look. The work has included the obvious Minilite wheels, a later and larger 998cc engine, front disc brakes and an interior refit that cheers it up considerably.
Located in Melbourne, it’s on the market for $28,500.
See our buyer guide for Cooper S Minis.
People have done some crazy things with these cars – see our feature on a locally-built twin-engined Mini and see the video here.
Unique Cars auction results listing