The last Mini’s

Mini Paul Smith

This highly desirable limited edition was designed by fashion designer Paul Smith. Painted in a special shade known as ‘Paul Smith Blue’ with contrasting Citrus Green details (such as the glove box and rocker cover). Sitting on Charcoal-coloured Mini Cooper Sports style 12″ wheels, the Paul Smith also sported a 9ct gold enamelled bonnet badge and Citrus Green map of the British Isles on the grille. Unique instruments and black leather seats featured on the inside, along with a special denim tool bag.   YEARS PRODUCED: 1998 (1800 made, 300 for the UK) COLOURS AVAILABLE: Paul Smith Blue INTERIOR TRIM: Black leather ‘Paul Smith’ interior with Citrus Green details WHEELS: Mini Cooper Sports style alloy wheel (Charcoal)

Mini Cooper Sports LE/BSCC

A very rare special edition based on the Sports Pack Cooper, the Cooper Sports LE/BSCC featured a British Vita Racing-style side decal, with a BMC-style rosette and ‘Mini Cooper’ logo on the boot lid. With only 50 made in each colour, this is another special edition that is highly desirable today.    YEARS PRODUCED: 1998 COLOURS AVAILABLE: Black, Brooklands Green INTERIOR TRIM: Green leather WHEELS: Optional Sports style alloy wheel (13″)

Mini 40

Released to commemorate the Mini’s 40th anniversary, the 40 was available with or without the Sports Pack, and was offered in three colours – two of which were exclusive to the model. Island Blue was a slightly reworked 1960s shade, while Mulberry Red was an entirely new, more modern metallic colour. The 40 came with gold badges, unique decals and a colour-matched interior, all tasteful additions which make this one of the most desirable and well-loved special editions of the lot.   YEARS PRODUCED: 1999 COLOURS AVAILABLE: Island Blue, Old English White, Mulberry Red INTERIOR TRIM: Colour-matched leather 40 seats WHEELS: Mini Cooper Sports style alloy wheel, Optional Sports style alloy wheel (13″)

The non-Sports Pack model with 12″ Sports style alloy wheels and colour-coded Mini ‘special’ wheel arches.

Mini 1.3i Cooper Where the Mini 1.3i was refined and elegant in its appearance, the 1.3i Cooper was striking and in-your-face. Continuing to wear the trademark two-tone livery and sporting the tell tale white bonnet stripes, the Cooper made no attempt to disguise its racing roots. Although the performance remained identical to the standard car, the image alone was enough to win over the majority of Mini buyers.   YEARS PRODUCED: October 1996 – March 2000 COLOURS AVAILABLE: Charcoal, Anthracite, Yukon Grey, Flame Red, Solar Red, Nightfire Red, Volcano, Electric Blue, Tahiti Blue, Surf Blue, Kingfisher Blue, Hawaiian Blue, Amaranth, Morello Purple, British Racing Green, Almond Green INTERIOR TRIM: Monaco Light Stone Beige (Half Leather), Classic Leather (Optional), Stone Beige Full Leather (Optional), ‘Cooper’ Black Full Leather (Optional) WHEELS: Mini Cooper Sports style alloy wheel, Optional Sports style alloy wheel (13″) – included in Sports Pack

Mini Cooper Sportspack

As per the standard Mini Cooper but the addition of 13″ wheels and big flares. Also had additional lamps.  Early cars ran the 2 tone with white roof whereas later cars ran the platinum silver roof and accessories. From 1999 onwards, as with the Mini Classic Cooper, the ‘Cooper’ logo centre caps were replaced with green ‘Mini’ ones, as were the logos on the steering wheels.   YEARS PRODUCED: November 1996 – October 2000 COLOURS AVAILABLE: Solar Red, British Racing Green, Anthracite, Tahiti Blue INTERIOR TRIM: Nickel Silver leather seats with black facings WHEELS: Std Sports style alloy wheel (13″)

The full 2000 Mini range

Mini’s from Japan

There were many Special Edition Mini’s available in Japan that other countries didn’t get to see.  Amongst other things these included special trim (including leather), paint colors and wheel & tyre combinations.  All Japanese Spec Mini’s from 1996 came standard with FACTORY FITTED air-conditioning.  The Japanese vehicles have the additional benefit of generally not being exposed to the colder elements including snow and ice. Other advantages include them being in generally better condition and have travelled fewer kilometres than their UK counterparts.

Fuel Injection

The biggest leap forward in technology has been the addition of computer controlled electronic fuel injection.

This was brought about in part to meet more stringent emission regulations world wide, but gave the added bonus of a moderate boost in mid range torque.

Above: The ECU (computer) that manages the fuel injection (UK Spec)