1997 Rover Mini Cooper S Touring

This car was the 57th Touring pack conversion by JCW and comes with the receipt and certificate signed by John Cooper, costing its first owner £11,695 on July 31st 1997. The Si pack included a Stage 3 cylinder head, high light valve rockers and oil cooler kit along with a Janspeed exhaust. Over the last 25 years the car has had 5 owners who have kept it well, taking care of any issues big or small. The current owner has very much enjoyed owning and driving the Mini but a collection of scooters has won the battle for garage space so it is looking for a new home.

The exterior of the car is in fantastic condition, the Flame Red paint sparkling and with so few stone chips we have been able to photograph them individually. The brightwork is excellent with superb chrome bumpers, the grill unblemished and the headlamps were replaced in 2007.

The alloy wheels were refurbished and new tyres fitted all round in November 2021 and remain as new, and the decals are generally in excellent condition. Its bonnet stripes, quad spot lamps, white roof and mirrors and wheel arch extensions make the car really stand out.

Inside the Mini has many upgrades to make the cabin a nicer place to be than standard. Most prominent is the wooden dash, which continues to the door tops and door pulls, the dark timber has a deep gloss and lovely smooth surface. The doors also have aluminium, handles wind window winders.

It has cream dials, and auxiliary dials in the centre above the radio, which is a correct Mini branded unit. All of the dash and controls are in beautiful condition.

The seats are held leather with patterned fabric centres, the leather parts are like new and the fabric has just incredibly light wear to the base, and the black carpets are in superb unmarked condition, as is the headlining. On the floor by the drivers seat there is the numbered plate from John Cooper Garages, showing this is car #57 and built in 1997.

Having had professional repairs in 2019, the underside of the car looks solid and clean. Under the bonnet the car has had a recent service and looking back the engine had a K&N twin point injection unit fitted in 2007, a new clutch and flywheel in 2001 (fitted last year again with the engine rebuild) and a slave cylinder in 2006 and the car had a number of Polybushes installed in 2020. The engine runs very well and the owner tells us its a great driving car. Also needs adding: The car has benefitted from a full engine/gearbox rebuild by Paul Higgs Mini Specialist in 2021.

In 2019 the Mini went in to the workshop for some remedial work with Col’s Mini Centre in Reddich, having new sills welded in, repairs to the rear arches, rear valance and boot floor and the front suspension was also replaced at the same time. The service log book has been misplaced at some point, but there are many receipts for service work as well as larger jobs and it almost every MOT is present showing it has been on the road continuously since new.

Although there are many Mini special editions, being a genuine and numbered John Cooper conversion lifts this above the rest. The condition is superb throughout and we are told it drives very well too. With this provenance and condition this would be both a great investment and something perfect to enjoy as a modern classic.

We estimate this car to be in the range of £15,000 - £20,000.

This particular car is located in Orpington, United Kingdom. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’