2010 John Cooper Works Mini WC 50

Description

• AT AUCTION – Please click HERE
• Rarest Mini with only 250 Produced
• #188 of 250
• Y88 JCW plate to stay with the car
• Thousands spent
• Great service History

History

The new BMW MINI was first released in 2001. Available in four varieties – One, Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works – it was designed by Frank Stephenson.

The John Cooper Works Mini was clearly the at the top of the pile, with 211bhp and 236lb/ft of torque from the two-litre BMW engine, the JCW features special pistons and turbocharger plus a larger intercooler and improved cooling; this was no simple chip-boosted, short-term screamer but a properly engineered high-performance car. To match that performance the brakes and suspension were uprated and tuned.

Add to that a plethora of added features inside and out, including ultra-supportive seats. The front and rear bumpers feature air intakes at the front and a faux diffuser at the back, ensuring even the most casual of passersby were aware they were in the presence of something rather special.

Then there is the car we have here, The WC 50 or World Championship 50, essentially a JCW that’s been taken off the production line and hand finished. It is said that every potential WC 50 left Oxford finished in black before getting the layer of Connaught Green that distinguishes the range.

The original press release reported: “In the summer of 1959 Alec Issigonis presented his concept for a small car [and] that same year, sports car constructor John Cooper won his first Formula One World Championship title with Jack Brabham at the wheel. 50 years on, the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 evokes both the start of the triumphal path of the classic Mini as well as victory in the F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship for John Cooper’s racing team. It will have a limited production run of 250 units.”

At £33k it was not cheap, but it was priced to match the exclusivity and the performance, it is also the rarest of the modern Mini, yes you see JCW Mini’s pop up quite regularly, not these WC 50’s….

Fitted with virtually every option, including unique 17-inch alloy wheels, a black honeycomb grille, and chunky body kit including a rear roof spoiler and, of course, lashings of carbon fibre trim.

The car has switchable traction control and four-pot Brembo calipers up front and despite the race-inspired chassis, contemporary road tests report the MINI remains reasonably comfortable.

Number 188 of 250 was and is:

• First registered 1 March 2010
• Supplied with very good history
• Well looked after example
• 71,000 miles
• Over £4000 recent spend
• Both Keys Present
• All Manuals and service books present
• A handful of MOTs present
• Good service history

Outside

As previously mentioned, the WC 50 edition were all painted in Connaught green with number 188 presenting extremely well. An eagle eye will spot a couple of minor car park dents on the driver’s door that could easily be rectified by a competent paintless dent removal specialist.  The lacquer has not been damaged. There are also some minor stone chips at the front of the car and strangely a small one on the roof.  Our vendor also pointed out a minor scratch to the rear bumper that looks like it will polish out.

All the carbon trims, exclusive to this edition, are in perfect condition and the glass all looks original.

The 17” Cross-Spoke Alloys present extremely well and take a very good inspection to find any blemishes, we can only see one tiny scuff across all four. There are wrapped in 205/45 17 Tyres, all with plenty of tread.

The number plate Y88 JCW is as close to 188 JCW as it could get and with be staying with the car, perfect for the WC 50 and probably worth a few quid on its own.

• Connaught Green
• Our vendor advises us the paintwork has recently been ceramic coated
• 17” Cross-Spoke Challenge Alloy Wheels in Jet Black
• Bi-Xenon Lights with Black Interior Reflectors
• Additional Driving Lights Black
• Bonnet Stripes with JC Signature
• JCW Aerodynamic Kit
• JCW Carbon Fibre Bonnet Scoop
• JCW Carbon Fibre Front Door Grips
• JCW Carbon Fibre Mirror Caps
• JCW Carbon Fibre Rear Diffuser
• JCW Carbon Fibre Tailgate Handle
• Side Panel Finisher with Edith Number (188)

Inside

Climb in and you immediately realise how right and correct the JCW inspired Minis actually feel, the ergonomics are impeccable and feel very sporty yet comfortable at the same time.

The interior is in great condition with the Carbon Black Leather and Rooster Red pinstriped seats showing no tears or splits, the dash is also in great condition with the Alcantara steering wheel showing hardly any wear.

Everything in the car works as it should and it starts first time with that lovely exhaust note settling into that all knowing rumble.

The toolkit is in place with the wheel locking nut present, even the safety triangle is present.  Unfortunately, the rear parcel shelf has been stored too safely out of the car at some point as it can no longer be located, luckily it is not dissimilar to most Minis so should be easy to source.

The WC 50 is fitted with so much to distinguish it from “Any old Mini” so we felt it prudent to list below, enjoy:

• JCW 3-Spoke Alcantara/Leather Steering Wheel
• JCW Floor Mats, Carbon Black with Red Stitching
• Leather Gearshift Gaitor, Carbon Black with Red Stitching
• Leather Handbrake Gaiter, Carbon Black with Red Stitching
• Anthracite Headlining
• Auto Air Conditioning
• Bluetooth Telephone and Audio Connection
• Chrome Line Interior
• Colour Line, Rooster Red
• Comfort Access
• Harman Kardon Hi-Fi System
• Heated Front Seats
• Multi-Function Controls on Steering Wheel
• Navigation System
• Parking Distance Control (Rear)
• Voice Control

It is starting to make sense why these WC 50s commanded such a high purchase price.

Mechanicals

There are 9 stamps in the Mini service book and a couple more within the aftermarket service record showing that this 208 bhp Twin Scroll turbo charged engine has been well looked after.

There are invoices showing upwards of £4500 in recent years, these include:

• New front Shock absorbers
• New Battery (approx. 1 year ago)
• Coil Springs
• Clutch Kit
• Flywheel
• Front Disks and Pads
• Backing Plates
• Rear Disks and Pads
• Front Wheel Bearings
• Rocker Cover

Our vendor also shared that the front and rear subframes have been replaced within his ownership.

As stated above the WC 50 has been well looked after and with all those consumables replaced around 10k miles ago, we suspect a reliable and trustworthy ownership for some time.

The only real issue our vendor can point out with the car is that when starting the WC 50 a message briefly pops up stating a reverse sensor fault, unfortunately he has not had the time to rectify this.

Summary

You would think it unthinkable that back in 2010 you would pay £33,000 for a Mini. Clearly that didn’t stop the 250 selling pretty quickly. Was it the fact that the WC 50 was literally the most exclusive Mini built to date? That could be one of the factors, but we suspect it is the fact it is a seriously well sorted John Cooper Works edition that would challenge almost anything on the road at the price bracket; let’s be honest it would probably challenge plenty that are way above that price bracket.

Either way it was a massive success and has turned into one of the most sought-after Minis on the market. Number 188 has been well treated and is so exclusive we don’t expect it will take long to hit its very reasonable reserve so get bidding and don’t miss out on the rare opportunity to own one of the best special edition Minis out there.

Vehicle Location: Shenfield, Essex CM15 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Mini John Cooper Works WC 50? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

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