Genuine 1997 Rover Mini Cooper Sportspack 63bhp MPI 63bhp - Finished in Almond Green

This is a genuine 1997 Rover Mini Cooper Sportspack 63bhp MPI 63bhp finished in Almond Green with the iconic Cooper Signatory, White Stripes & Roof reserved for Cooper’s only. Almond Green is one of the rarest colours to be found on MPI Sportspack’s because it was only offered as a factory additional extra purchasable at the time in homage to the 60’s Cooper’s. Being the final factory produced model she has been described in various well reputed books as having the “ultimate” general factory production specification which includes significantly more power, reliability, safety, fuel efficiency, green credentials, motorway usability and luxury; the Mini had been reborn in the modern age (hence why these are some of the most sought after models). She has been fully restored and has lived in a collection throughout the majority of the last five years. We will expand upon each point in turn.

1. Genuine Cooper

Being a genuine Cooper, she has that iconic provenance and proudly wears the Cooper emblems and signatory throughout her design, standing as tribute to the Mini’s rally winning history.

2. Genuine Sportspack

Being a genuine Mini Cooper Sportspack, she delivers better handling and grip and is easily identifiable with such iconic Sportspack’s wider stance, arches, larger alloys and extra gauges.

3. Super Rare Almond Green Colour Combination

Being one of only a handful of Cooper Sportspack’s finished in the ever so iconic Almond Green of sixties Cooper fame, she stands out. This was a factory additional option which could be paid for (but it’s super rare).

4. One of the Most Sought After Interiors

Having those sought after Cooper black leather seats, burr wood dash and all of the extra white faced gauges associated with a Cooper, she is lovely inside (from both a design and comfort perspective).

5. 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 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:

(a) Upgrading the less reliable old fashioned carburettor, manual choke and distributor system with modern sequential fuel injection, dual spark technology and automatic choke to significantly reduce breakdowns and improve fuel efficiency.

(b) 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.

(c) Upgrading the old fashioned radiator to a new aluminium cooling system and electronic fan reduced the risk of overheating.

C. 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.

D. 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 and a new mechanical layout, cabin noise was significantly reduced.

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.

E. 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 emissions were reduced.

8. Further Upgrades

Upgraded to the premium Yokohama Tyres, she has more grip. Fitted with the fast road spring conversion, Hi Lo’s and upgraded shock absorbers, she has upgraded stabilisation. Upgraded to adjustable tie bars with 1.5 negative camber, she has better steering under power. Having an S/S RC40 twin side exit exhaust and a K&N air filter, she has more power.

9. Fully Serviced & 12 Months MOT

Supplying her fully serviced with new Millers Classic Mini Oil and Filter, NGK Spark Plugs and Silicone HT Leads as well as 12 months MOT (once the MOT stations open), she will be ready to go.

10. Restored

Having had a significant restoration before being placed in a long term collection, she is in excellent condition throughout.