Mini

1990s Coopers bore signature, crest of creator as well as fuel injection…

Cabins stark but easy to fix or improve. Repro trim kits are now available

Lovable A-Series as good as ever. Later EFi cars use mapped ignition: more flexible

Competition Minis are rife - some priceless. Period tuning gear worth a packet too

Be different - try a commercial! Minivan is very practical, pick up is a real cutie

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What is a Mini?

It’s only the most versatile and fun loving car ever made! On road or track the Mini has always hit the right note with all sorts: from wealthy pop and film icons to debtridden students alike, the Issigonis marvel has always been right at home regardless of setting. Over its 41-year production span the Mini was available in just about every guise imaginable, and all of them are now as affordable as ever plus are one of those rare classics that can be happily used as a daily driver.

History

Launched as the classic two-box saloon on 26 August 1959, the Austin Se7en and Morris Mini- Minor were powered by 848cc engines. Within six months a van was available and a year later the cute and rarely spotted pick-up hit the streets. In the meantime the Countryman and Traveller estates had been released and in July 1961 the first Coopers went on sale.

Three months later the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet appeared, then in January 1963 the 997cc engine seen in the Elf, Hornet and Cooper was replaced with a 998cc version. That March the Cooper S arrived, with a 1071cc powerplant. This was replaced 12 months later by the 1275cc Cooper S although the option of a ‘screaming’ 970cc version (for sub 1-litre competition classes, really) was introduced at the same time - but this option was discontinued 10 months later. In 1964 the Mini-Moke arrived and it survived until October 1968 before being built under licence abroad until quite recently. The introduction of the MkII Mini was in October 1967, spelling larger rear windows and lights plus the adoption of the lustier 998cc engine for Super De Luxe and estate models. It also meant the demise of the standard Cooper, although the (MkIII) Cooper S soldiered on until 1971.

In 1969 the Elf and Hornet bit the dust along with the Countryman and Traveller, displaced in October of that year by the posher flat-fronted Clubman and 1275GT ranges. Apart from a questionable squarer nose there was also better trim, wind-up windows (at long last!) and concealed door hinges (ditto). The latter two modifications were standardised on the new MkIII Standard 850 and 1000 at the same time, incidentally. The Morris and Austin badges also disappeared as from now on Mini was marketed as a marque in its own right. Alas it also meant the demise of the standard Cooper, although the (MkIII) Cooper S soldiered on until 1971. The 1275 GT was supposedly the modern answer to the expensive to insure basic Cooper. Instead of that souped-up 1-litre A-Series unit came a soft tune, single carb 1275cc lump that was taken straight from the Austin/Morris 1300. But to be fair it was as quick and as much fun as the old ‘brick’ (plus a lot more civilised) even if it was devoid of the Cooper’s unique character.
Mini production continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s with numerous upgrades and changes, although the competition increased all the time as one supermini after another was launched. Something of a modern retro now, the 1990s saw a mass of special editions and the re-introduction of the Cooper (in July 1990) while a cabriolet was unveiled in February 1991, followed by a manic ERA Turbo a few years later. Then on October 4 2000 the final Mini rolled off the line with Lulu at the helm, after 5,387,862 had been built.

Driving

Ever been go-karting? If so, then imagine being able to do that with three or four of your mates along for the ride. Nimble with light and pin sharp (unassisted) steering the Mini is still one of the most agile and best handling cars ever – plus they come, with decent brakes, too … on disc braked versions anyway! Straight line performance isn’t really what the Mini was ever about - the real speed came from its split second responses and fantastic handling. The A-Series engine is a great slogger; not refined but packed with loads of low rev torque and together with characteristically short gearing makes the Mini extremely nippy in town, although things can get really frantic at higher speeds.You would never buy a Mini for comfort; the seats are as inviting as a church pew and the ‘bus-like’ driving position was actually conceived by Issigonis to make the car uncomfortable - so to keep the driver alert! Weird thinking perhaps, but there’s so much that is wonderful too, such as the car’s sheer space efficiency, especially on early versions where there are nooks and crannies to stow items simply everywhere in the car. Naturally, most steer towards the Coopers but don’t dismiss the practical Traveller and Countryman estates or the vans and pick-ups. Whatever Mini you go for it will always spell fun with a capital F.

Prices

You won’t have to look far to find a free project car but the best Cooper 970S fetches around £8000. In between are sound MkIIs for £1800, nice Mk1 1275 Cooper Ss at £6500 but add another £2000 for a later car. Even the best 1275GT isn’t worth much more than £2500 - three grand tops. You can more or less halve these prices for examples that are nothing special. Any car with a famous past will command a higher price as will models fitted with popular period tuning gear. Later 1990 Coopers boast little classic appeal - yet