Full Description
SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
A collectable Rover Mini Cooper Sport 500 with just 5,791 miles from new.
EQUIPMENT
Chrome brightwork, twin coachlines and decals, Mini winged badges, derivative and GB boot badges, large body coloured wheelarch extensions, cream faced instrument gauges and dials, analogue clock, alloy gearknob, alloy door furniture, driver’s airbag, Perimetric anti-theft alarm with passive engine immobiliser and remote activation. Special Cooper 500 Equipment Pack; Platinum Silver roof, door mirrors, and bonnet stripes, alloy fascia, special edition plaque, high level third brake light. Special Edition Gift Box; Sewing kit, penknife, fragrance canister with syringe, cap, fleece, T-Shirt, satchel, signed authenticity certificate.
EXTERIOR
This outstanding and highly collectable classic Mini Cooper 500 is verified by the Cooper Sport 500 Register as number 128, making it the 373rd last Mini ever made. Finished in factory original Solar Red with contrasting Platinum silver roof resulting in a combination paint code of WNR, this one of just 110 cars produced in this colour. The factory paintwork is exceptional and entirely commensurate with the incredibly low mileage, and has further benefitted from enthusiast ownership and heated storage from new. The car is preserved in almost new condition in every respect. The pristine factory fitted glass, lights and badges remain manufacturer standard, and features such as the high level third brake light, supplying dealer sticker and tax disc holder remain. The ultimate collectors piece for the Mini connoisseur.
INTERIOR
These late Mini Coopers were lavishly trimmed, particularly so in the final ‘500’ celebration model. The full leather interior in Black and Nickle Silver, (Code WNP), is in perfect condition with no wear whatsoever. The leather steering wheel still has full colour and defined natural veins, a pleasing feature found only on such low mileage cars. The matching carpets and door cards are perfect, as is the leather padded dashboard and contrasting alloy finish fascia. All cream faced dials and gauges, together with other interior functions are in full working order, including the original Mini branded stereo cassette. Most importantly, the metal plaque fitted to the inner glove box lid states, ‘This Mini is one of the last 500 built to the original Sir Alec Issigonis Design’.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The final production cars utilised the 1275cc unit mated to Multi-Point fuel Injection to lower emissions and noise and increase performance, a revision that is truly evident in this example. Factory standard both mechanically and aesthetically, even down to the original exhaust, the engine bay displays factory plates, stickers, MG Rover service parts and even the usually discarded yellow coolant advice disc! The standard four speed gearbox is smooth, precise and a pleasure to use.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The original 13in sports style alloy wheels which were standard on the Cooper Sport 500 are unrestored and essentially as new. The factory fitted Dunlop SP Sport 3000 175/50/R13 tyres are free from cracking and retain excellent tread. The unused spare wheel and Pirelli Cinturato CN54 tyre with factory chalk marks rest alongside the original jack and Mini pouch in the immaculate boot area which still displays factory date stickers! The servo assisted brakes incorporating front discs and rear drums bring this lively little car to an assured halt.
HISTORY FILE
The build date of this example is recorded on the Cooper Sport 500 Register as the 18th September 2000 with first registration on 24th January 2001. The supplying Rover Main Dealer was Epsom Motor Group Limited with the first lucky owner being a Mr Peter Lloyd. The emphasis is placed on ‘lucky’ as such was the hype and fanfare around the final 500 cars, demand far outstripped supply! The original order form and subsequent sales invoice made out to Mr Lloyd confirms the price paid of £10,500, with an interesting discrepancy between him originally ordering a British Racing Green car but changing his mind to Solar Red. Collectors and enthusiasts alike will be pleased to see documentation such as the Mini Assembly Classic Final Audit Sheet, welcome letters to Mr Lloyd from Rover and even a memo sent out to all dealers advising that allocation of cars will not be automatic but instead based on secured customer orders, due to demand.
The history box file contains previous MOT’s certificates and invoices as well as the full book pack including service book. Importantly, a valuation certificate from David Hollis at the British Mini Club dated September 2017 verifies the cars authenticity and places an insurance value of £25,000. The previous owner, Mr Roger Coe, who has several low mileage Minis including vans and pick-ups is a serious Mini collector. Further enhancing the huge appeal of this example is the entirely complete gift box which even still has the individual corrugated card Mini gift boxes and wrapping tissue all contained within the cardboard box sent to the Dealer. A very rare find as most have been discarded or were reputedly held back by some Rover Dealers! Finally, the ‘Certifiable Fun’ certificate signed by John Cooper and Kevin Howe and presented with each car remains in the file. Look no further for the ultimate tribute to Sir Alec Issigonis’ ingenious and hugely influential design.
HPI Clear.
