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Classic Mini Cooper last generation MK7

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On September 11, 2000 – London Sixties model, TWIGGY with one of the last generation Mini Cooper MK7, at a photocall today (11.9.00) in London. This mark the end of an era the last Classic Mini will roll off he production line at the Rover Group’s Birmingham plant next month.

Classic Mini categorize by Mark (MK) which in total it has MK1 – MK7:
MK1 1959-1967
MK2 1967-1969
MK3 1969-1976
MK4 1976-1984
MK5 1984-1992
MK6 1992-1997
MK7 1997-2000

Classic Mini Cooper MK7

Mini Cooper MK7 was the last or final generation of the Mini, it is the most desirable to some Mini Lovers, and also the least to others. Mini MK7 was introduced around 1996-1997. The changes include:

– twin-point injection
– higher final drive
– side impact beams
– better sound insulation/sound proof
– driver airbag
– improved front seats
– a front-mounted radiator
– a sportspack option

Year 1996 to 2000

Production of Mini MPI

  • Details: Engine now utilised Multi-Point fuel Injection to lower emissions, noise and increase performance. Front mounted radiator fitted along with strengthening door bars and driver’s airbag. 12 inch Pepperpot alloy wheels as standard. The Classic Mini Se7en was introduced in April 2000 in either Solar Red, Old English White or Black as the last non-Cooper Mini.
  • Engine size: 1275cc
  • Original price: £8,995 (Mini) £9,495 (Mini Se7en)

Production of Mini Cooper MPI

  • Details: Engine now utilised Multi-Point fuel Injection to lower emissions, noise and increase performance. Front mounted radiator fitted along with strengthening door bars and driver’s airbag. Extra features included additional spot lamps, bonnet stripes, sports alloy wheels and Monaco trim. Sports pack option available for an extra £795 including wider 13inch wheels and wider wheel arches. The names Classic Cooper and Classic Cooper Sport were introduced in April 2000. The Classic Cooper model gained silver and black leather seats whereas the Classic Cooper Sport gained black and nickel leather seats and also alloy door furniture.
  • Engine size: 1275cc
  • Original price: £8,995 (Mini Cooper) £9,895 (Classic Cooper) £10,895 (Classic Cooper Sport)
  • More details and photos: 2000 Mini Cooper Sport

Both the Mini MPI and Mini Cooper MPI information are taken from MiniWorld.

Year 1997

In 1997, The Mini Classic was introduced as the new non-Cooper model. The Mayfair is dropped. Sportpack-equipped models with fat 13 inch wheels become another revival for the Mini, proving very popular.

Year 1998

In 1998, Mini Paul Smith LE and Cooper Sports LE was introduced. The production for Paul Smith LE are approximately around 1800 and 100 for Cooper Sports LE. The model carries 1960s British Vita team colours.

Production of Mini Paul Smith LE

  • Year: 1998 (March)
  • Based on: Mini Sprite
  • Engine: 1275 cc
  • Exterior colour:
  • Paul Smith Blue (JFL – BLVC1269)
  • Also available in Black and White (Japanese market)
  • Exterior trim: Chrome grille, handles, and bumpers; green Great Britain isle badge on grille
  • Decals/badges: 9ct gold emamelled “Paul Smith” bonnet badge, Paul Smith rear winder sticker
  • Interior: Black leather trim, Paul Smith-scripted instrument graphics; Citrus Green glovebox interior, petrol tank and solid boot liner.
  • Equipment: Charcoal grey Minilite alloy wheels, two spotlamps, Special “Paul Smith” denim jack & tool bag
  • Production: 300 for UK, 1,500 for rest of world
  • Cost new: £10,225

Paul Smith also designed a one-off Mini with 86 different-coloured stripes.

Production of Mini Cooper Sports LE

  • Year: 1998 (May)
  • Based on: Mini Cooper
  • Engine: 1275 cc
  • Exterior colours:
  • Brooklands Green (HFB – BLVC1265)
  • Black (PMF – BLVC644)
  • Roof: White
  • Exterior trim: Chrome grille and handles; white mirrors
  • Decals/badges: Twin coachlines with BMC-style rosette with the words “Mini Cooper” to the rear; “V” flash in yellow (similar to British Vita Logo) above the front side indicator; BMC-style rosette with the words “Mini Cooper” on the left hand side of boot lid; white bonnet stripes
  • Equipment: Two spotlamps, sports suspension pack, 13×6-inch Sportspack wheels, Sportspack wheelarches
  • Interior: Walnut dashboard; dark green leather interior; green carpets; dark green leather and black steering wheel; dark green leather gear change boot and knob
  • Production: 100 (50 of each colour); there is some doubt that the production color split was not even and that more green than black cars were produced.
  • Cost new: £10,525

Built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Cooper’s victory in four Saloon Car Championship races in 1968.

Year 1999

In 1999, 40 Cooper S Works Touring/5 Sport and John Cooper LEs are introduced. This is to celebrate Mini’s 40th birthday party at Silverstone, and it is huge once again.

Production of Mini Cooper S Touring

  • Year: 1999 (March)
  • Based on: Mini Cooper
  • Engine: 1275 cc
  • Exterior trim: Stainless steel sill covers, alloy fuel flap, Cooper valve caps
  • Decals/badges: “Cooper S Touring” side decals, “Si” boot badge, John Cooper chassis plate under front seat
  • Interior: Leather steering wheel, walnut dashboard and door cappings, alloy door handles
  • Equipment:
  • Cost new: £11,595

On the Cooper S Touring, the Jack Knight 5-speed gearbox was available as an optional extra for £1,655.

Production of Mini Cooper S Sport 5

  • Year: 1999 (March)
  • Based on: Mini Cooper
  • Engine: 1275 cc
  • Exterior trim: Chrome bumpers and grille
  • Decals/badges: Cooper S Sport 5 decals
  • Interior trim: Leather gear knob
  • Equipment: 13×6-inch Rover Sportspack alloy wheels, Sportspack wheelarches, 2 auxiliary driving lamps
  • Cost new: £13,650
  • Options:
  • Leather interior
  • Electric sunroof

The Sport 5 was very similar to the Cooper S Touring except that it was offered with the 5-speed Jack Knight gearbox as standard.

Production of Mini Cooper S Works

  • Year: 1999 (March)
  • Based on: Mini Cooper
  • Engine: 1275 cc
  • Exterior colour:
  • Brooklands Green
  • Roof: Old English White
  • Exterior trim: Chrome grille, door handles and bumpers
  • Decals/badges: Coachlines with “S works” decals. Special red-winged badges front and back.
  • Interior: Alloy dashboard, door cappings, door furniture, and foot pedals; leather steering wheel and gear knob
  • Equipment: CD player, 12-inch alloy wheels
  • Production: 250
  • Cost new: £12,495
  • Options:
  • Jack Knight 5-speed gearbox
  • Sportspack

With 90 hp output from its big-valve high-compression engine, the S Works is the most powerful Cooper ever made.

Production of Mini 40

  • Date Launched: 1999 (April)
  • Based on: Mini Cooper
  • Engine: 1275 cc MPi (Multi-Point Injection)
  • Exterior colours:
  • Island Blue (BU5)
  • Mulberry Red (CDM – BLVC1274)
  • Old English White (WT3)
  • Tahiti Blue Metallic
  • Exterior trim: Chrome bumpers, grille, and handles. Optional Webasto electric sunroof.
  • Decals/badges: Gold “Mini 40” bonnet badge, anniversary decal on the body sides, chrome “GB” on boot
  • Interior: Color-matched leather seats with contrasting piping, alloy dashboard, chrome-detailed instruments, and a leather facia top, handbrake, and gear knob.
  • Equipment: CD Player, 13-inch Sportspack wheels, Sportspack arches, twin spotlamps
  • Production: 250 for UK
  • Cost new: £10,995
  • More details and photos: 1999 Mini 40 Anniversary, Island Blue Mini 40 LE, Mulberry Red Mini 40

Production of Mini John Cooper

  • Year: 1999 (August)
  • Based on: Mini Cooper
  • Engine: 1275 cc
  • Exterior colour:
  • Brooklands Green (HFB – BLVC1265)
  • Roof: Old English White (NNX – BLVC1205)
  • Exterior trim: Chrome bumpers, grille, and handles
  • Interior: Grenadine red leather upholstery (with black piping for seats) on dash top, door liners, gear gaiter, and door pockets; red carpeting; black leather steering wheel, handbrake grip and gear knob; alloy dashboard
  • Decals/badges: John Cooper signature in chrome-plated steel.
  • Equipment: 13-inch Sportspack alloy wheels, Sportspack arches, two spotlamps, CD player
  • Production: 300
  • Cost new: £10,995

Year 2000

Production of Mini Classic Seven, Mini Classic Cooper, and Mini Classic Cooper Sport

  • Year: 2000 (April)
  • Based on: Classic Mini
  • Engine: 1275cc (62 bhp)
  • Exterior colours: Solar Red, Old English White or Black.
  • Features: winding windows + dash vents, concealed door hinges, key start/steering lock, driver’s instrument binnacle, fresh air heater as standard, front disc/rear drum brakes, 6-point rubber-mounted subframe.
  • Production: N/A
  • Cost New: N/A
  • More details and photos: 2000 Mini Classic Seven

Production of Mini Cooper Sport 500

  • Year: 2000
  • Based on: Mini Cooper
  • Engine: 1275 cc
  • Exterior colours:
  • Tahiti Blue (JRJ – BLVC965)
  • Anthracite (LQW – BLVC1266)
  • Solar Red (CMU – BLVC1278)
  • British Racing Green (HAF – BLVC617)
  • Roof: silver
  • Exterior trim: Chrome bumpers and grille, silver bonnet stripes
  • Interior: Black and silver leather; alloy gear knob
  • Equipment: Four spotlamps, 13-inch alloy wheels, certificate signed by John Cooper, plaque inside glovebox, high level brake light
  • Production: 500 – Last ever to classic Issigonis design.
  • Cost new: £10,995

In 2000, BMW sells Rover to the Phoenix consortium, but retains the rights to the Mini name and future. Cooper Sport 500 LE introduced (500). Classic Mini production ends when the final Cooper Sport 500 LE rolls off the Longbridge production line ( No. 5,387,862). John Cooper dies Christmas Eve.

Other related Mini Generation:
Mini Mark 1 – MK1/MKI
Mini Mark 2 – MK2/MKII
Mini Mark 3 – MK3/MKIII
Mini Mark 4 – MK4/MKIV
Mini Mark 5 – MK5/MKV
Mini Mark 6 – MK6/MKVI
Mini Mark 7 – MK7/MKVII

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