2000 saw the final year of Mini production at Longbridge, some 41 years after the very first car rolled off the production line. During the final year of production there were three separate models of Mini produced,

the Mini Seven, The Cooper Classic, and the Cooper Sport

The car I chose is a Cooper Classic. It has twelve inch wheels which I prefer to the 13 inch wheels of the Sportspack version. The cars were built upon the same idea, with a few changes between models. They all share the same 1.3i twin or multipoint injection engine.The main differences were with the level of trim.

The Mini Seven had pepperpot alloys, and came in a choice of Red,white and black. It has a colour-coded dashboard and mirrors. The Interior was a cloth finish, very reminiscent of early 1960's cars.

The Cooper classic has the trademark bonnet stripes and white roof. It also has a colour coded dash, and a black half leather interior The wheels are Rover minilight style.

The major difference with the Sportspack model was the 13 inch wheels and the larger wheel arches to accomodate them. An uprated steering rack was fitted to accomodate these modifications. The interior was rather swanky & hi-tec, with an alloy dashboard, alloy door furniture, and a black & silver (platinium as Rover called it) full leather interior. They were available in Solar Red, Tahiti Blue (my favourite) British racing Green, and Black.