1999 Rover Mini Cooper Sportpack *Sold £6,900*

Description

• Only 15,918 miles
• Fantastic example
• Wants for nothing
• Comes from a small private collection
• Long time ownership
• Tahiti Blue
• One of the last Classic Minis made
• Previous CAT D

This Mini Cooper Sportpack was the final version, twin point injection with front-mounted radiator. Full-width dashboard replaces the original shelf, internal bonnet release.  Introduction of airbag on driver’s side.  The basic Mini was the 1.3i, this model in the range being the Mini Cooper fitted with the Sportpack Kit.

The end of production in October 2000 not only signalled the end of original Mini production after 41 years, but also brought about the demise of the 1275-cc engine which had powered the Mini and numerous other BL/BMC/ARG cars for more than 35 years.

This particular Mini Cooper Sportpack was registered on the 8th September 1999 and would have been very close to the last classic Mini’s off the production line.  Whilst researching the vehicle it was found to have been categorised as an insurance write off back in April 2000.  Issued with a Cat D (also known as ‘Category D’, or, more recently, ‘Category N’) cars are among those where the damage has been assessed to be uneconomical to repair by the insurance company.

Unfortunately, our vendor purchased the car 11 years after this event and was none the wiser and was devastated to find out about the marker, now he has accepted it as a lesson learned and has decided it still needs a new home and as such has set a realistic sale price to account for the CAT D marker.

Clearly it has been repaired to a good standard as our vendor and the previous owners all purchased the car, there seems to be no evidence of damage anywhere and our vendor explained it is driving beautifully.

The Mini has the sought-after factory fitted 1.3 MPI 62bhp engine. Being a low mileage example, she has covered less than 16,000 miles from new.

As previously mentioned, it has been owned by our vendor since 2011, it has been stored for most of that time in our vendors business unit.  This has meant that the Mini has been used sparingly and has had no opportunity to deteriorate.

Carry out a quick check of the MOT history and it will show a couple of gaps where it was not MOT’d between 2018 to 2022 but it does show the mileage increased extremely slowly from 2007 where it sat at 2,388 to with its most recent MOT which was carried out on the 27th October 2023 and showed 15,917.  Now showing 1 mile added to that total it really hasn’t seen much tarmac.

Unfortunately, during its ownership our vendor has misplaced the owner’s OE manual pack but does have the V5 in his name and 7 or 8 MOTs going back to the early 2000s.  Now coming to market due to our vendors unit being redeveloped and no other current storage options our winning bidder will be taking ownership of a fantastic example, albeit a CAT D.

Exterior

As can be seen from the images, the Tahiti Blue Metallic with White roof is in stunning condition.  The last Mini Cooper left the production line in only four colours with the others being Solar Red, British Racing Green and Anthracite.  All fitted with 13in Minilite wheels and those iconic twin stripes on the bonnet.

On close inspection you will be hard pushed to find any issues with the body and paintwork, even the common windscreen rubbers sit on clean straight rust-free metal.  Those that know these Mini’s tend to check that area before anywhere else, find that clear of rust and it is extremely likely the rest of the car will be rust free.

The underneath is just as tidy with just the usual minor surface rust on the metal components.  No signs of rot anywhere, as expected on a 15k mileage car.  Again, our vendor shared that the car has been stored in his work units since it’s purchase, hence the solidity of these renowned rust attraction British cars.

The arches are in fantastic condition with no scuffs or scrapes, the iconic Mini Cooper Laurel Decals are showing no signs of fading and the special edition green badge has no delaminating or fading either.

The deep 13inch Minilite wheels, specific to these late models are in wonderful condition and are wrapped in matching Dunlop SP Sport rubber with loads of tread still available.

The glass all looks to be original and the old English white roof is perfect.

Interior

The cream and blue piped seats, still perfectly formed, show no signs of wear and tear and hold you perfectly whilst you admire the immaculate six dial walnut dashboard.  Fitted with more luxuries than ever before this late Mini Cooper has SRS fitted for the driver, volt and oil gauges plus the obligatory clock nestled in the centre of the stunning dash.

The matching door pads are in perfect condition, the roof lining is as it was when it left the factory and the black carpets look to be in great condition, protected by the rubber over mats.

Everything in the car works as it should with the only issue of note being that the tilt handle on the drivers’ seat had snapped off, our vendor shared that this was due to a heavy-handed MOT inspector. As you would expect, extremely frustrating on such a great example of this iconic car.

The flip-down boot-lid reveals a luggage space that changed little during the four decades of the Mini’s apparent evolution. There is at least a layer of fabric carpet across the floor, covering a spare wheel plus jack and tools.

Engine and Mechanicals

Under the bonnet is an honest-looking engine and ancillaries – by which we mean that it hasn’t been detailed for sale but has a slight patina but looks every bit the 15k mileage car that it is.

Although our vendor has been very measly when adding mileage to the car it was driven the short journey for its MOT and is said to drive perfectly.  With no advisories at it’s most recent MOT he is confident that everything is as it should be with no perished rubbers, brake lines or anything else to speak of.

Our vendor also shared that there were no strange squeaks or knocks when driving the car and explained that being a Cooper model it genuinely is a hoot to drive.

If you haven’t driven a Mini then you really are missing a treat, if you haven’t driven a Mark 7 Cooper, arguably the most refined of all 5.3 million ever built then you really do need to pull your finger out and experience the pure unadulterated fun that these little cars deliver.

Our view

This Rover Mini Cooper Sportpack is a stylish and very low-mileage example of the desirable modern classic with peppy performance, offered from long-term ownership and in original rust free condition, now that is a find. Fitted with a host of cosmetic factory upgrades, it would make a discerning addition to any collection, and a fun companion for daily driving or car shows.

Priced to account for the category D marker you have a very cheap entry into Mini Cooper “Sportpack” ownership.