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Relatively good value for a sought-after Cooper, Sam Dawson finds – and one that’s freshly restored and hard to fault

Nineties Mini Cooper values are soaring at the moment. Just under £16k for this one might look strong, but with mint low-milers commanding another £10k on top of that with some vendors, and only non-Cooper economy Minis from the Eighties still in bargain territory nowadays, it starts to look like pretty solid value.

Then bear in mind its relatively low 41,219 mileage. Although MoT certificates only go back to 2005, that only leaves four missing years early on in its life.

It’s also a fairly fresh restoration. The current owner – the latest of three – bought it in 2019, treated it to a complete suspension overhaul at Fleet Mobile to the tune of £2602 in 2020, followed with extensive £4504 bodywork restoration work at Auto Panel Craft two years later.

This flurry of work is reflected in the Mini’s condition. Aside from a few tiny scratches – middle of the bonnet, passenger-side headlight housing and next to the driver’s door – the bodywork is in excellent condition. Metal is smooth and ripple-free, paint is glossily consistent, decals are intact, clean and bright, and panel fit is as good as you’d ever get from the factory.

Also telling of a Mini of this era that’s been looked after, the plastic parts inside and out are intact and clean, despite being typically BL-grade, brittle and snap-prone. Inside, door-handles and window-winders operate cleanly and aren’t overly loose or stiff in their fittings – the usual precursor to them getting broken.

In fact, only some grubbiness to the tan parts of the leather steering-wheel binding, and fraying stitching on the leather gear-knob trim betray that the car has ever been sat in. With the exception of a tiny stain on one seatbelt, it’s entirely possible the rear seats have never been occupied, the stain-prone front-seat fabric is perfect, and the dashboard wood is glossy and undamaged.

Read more in the March 2024 issue of Classic Cars, available in your local retailers now.

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