Genuine 1998 Rover Mini Cooper Sportspack (Wide Body) 1.3 MPI 63bhp - Rare Metallic Night-Fire Red x Diamond White
 
 
First registered on the 8th of January 1998 this is a beautiful example of a genuine 1998 Rover Mini Cooper Sportspack (wide body) 1.3 MPI 63bhp. This Mini has the ultimate specification, has previously had a £15,000 restoration and boasts a range of tasteful upgrades. We will introduce you to this Mini below. We also have lots of extra content, videos of her exterior, interior and what it’s like to get behind her wheel which can be found by using the following link www.gbminigarage.com/uoj
 
 
1. The Ultimate Factory Specification

This final model (1996-2000) was the most powerful, best handling, most reliable, most fuel efficient, the safest, the greenest and the most luxurious of the classic Mini models to be factory produced. To learn more about why this is, please see the section at the bottom of this page.
 
 
2. The Cooper Sportspack

Expanding upon the ultimate model specification, the Cooper Sportspack introduced the iconic wide body, improved the handling and grip and proudly wore all of those Cooper logo’s, the iconic white bonnet stripes and roof.
 
 
3. Huge Previous Restoration

We first encountered her several years ago after she had what I remember to be a £15,000 restoration for an elderly couple who’m never used her as they struggled to get her in and out of their barn and she has since been in two of our clients ownership and used often. She remains in very good condition.
 
 
4. Tasteful Upgrades

Tasteful upgrades include a full cream interior upgrade, thirteen x six inch Ultralite alloys with premium Yokohama tyres and the Play Mini big bore twin exhaust (one of our favourites, provides a classical rumbling and roar) as well as an upgraded suspension (Koni Shock Absorbers etc).
 
 
5. Supplied Ready to Enjoy

Supplied with 12 months MOT and no advisories, she has had a full engine service, brake service and her oxygen sensor has been changed and is therefore ready to enjoy.

All in all, a lovely example of one of the ultimate specification Mini’s.
 
 
The Final Evolution of Classic Mini (1996-2000) - The Ultimate Base Specification
 
 
Several well reputed authors describe the final Mini model (manufactured between 1996 and 2000) as “The Ultimate Mini”. They were the “Ultimate Mini” because with the 21st century fast approaching and with the modern Mini preparing for launch and these being the final models to leave the production line, Rover embarked upon what they described as “the most radical package of improvements for 36 years [since the Mini’s launch in 1959]”. Those improvements made this final model the most; powerful, reliable, safe, useable and green factory production Mini model ever created. The benefits of this final model are often asked of us and aren’t immediately obvious, so we have done our best to collate various factory records below for you to explain the standard basic factory specification of these final models (on which the Cooper Sportspack expands):
 
 
A. The Most Powerful Standard Factory Production Engine

Taking the special earlier “Cooper” 1275cc engine and refining it with improvements including new multi-point injection and dual spark technology, this would be the most powerful and reliable general factory production engine of the Mini Marque. By more powerful we are referring to the fact that she has approximately 64% higher power than the standard 1000cc, 26% more power than the standard 1275cc carburettor engines and 18% more power than the standard 1275cc single point injection engines.
 
 
B. The Most Reliable Standard Factory Production Set-Up

Being significantly more reliable for several reasons, this was a Mini that you could rely on. The primary Improvements included:
 
Upgrading the less reliable old fashioned carburettor, manual choke and distributor sparking system with modern sequential fuel injection, dual spark technology and automatic choke to significantly reduce breakdowns and improve fuel efficiency.
 
Upgrading the previously underpowered alternator’s (power generator) amps by 44% to 65 Amps, upgrading its ancillary belts and providing an Amp gauge, power generation was increased significantly and the risk of a flat battery reduced.
 
Upgrading the old fashioned radiator to a new aluminium cooling system and front mounted electronic fan reduced the risk of overheating.
 

B. The Safest Factory Production Mini

Being the only model to incorporate a drivers airbag, strengthened steering column and safety crash beams within the doors as well as seat-belt pyrotechnic pretensions (pull you back if you crash) and having at this point standardised rear seat belts and a fob operated immobiliser, she is the safest factory production Mini.
 
 
C. The Most Usable Factory Production Mini

These Mini’s were designed for everyday modern use, whether it be around the city or on the motorway. To achieve this several upgrades were made:
 
Having a newly enhanced torque curve which allowed the utilisation of a higher final-drive ratio (2.76:1), she provides much more comfortable fast road and motorway driving;
 
Upgrading the Torque curve also made it almost possible to reach 90mph in third gear, allowing much easier acceleration;
 
Upgrading the Mini with a significant amount of new sound deadening (floors, roof, bulkhead, fuel tank etc.) and a revised mechanical layout, cabin noise was significantly reduced for a more comfortable experience on the motorway; and
 
Most importantly, Rover described the Mini as essentially heading up market, they described the Mini as being gentrified and set upon significantly improving the quality of many of the bolt on parts and the interior (compare these interiors to earlier interiors and the game had changed). The interior was now properly comfortable, made of high quality materials and featured a two speed interior heater, intermittent wipers and the purchase price was adjusted to reflect such.
 

D. The Most Fuel Efficient & Lowest Emissions

Having improved fuel efficiency arising from the new fuel injection technology and a newly added (early nineties) and then upgraded catalytic converter, modern emissions standards were complied with and emissions were reduced.

Accordingly, these models were significantly more powerful, reliable, safe, useable, fuel efficient and greener than any previous model, despite its classic appearances and feel, the Mini had been reborn within the modern age. These improvements also explain the price difference for these models, whilst they had that same iconic design, exciting feel and rally winning handling, everything else was upgraded.