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NEW PRICE! Beautifully preserved with tons of professional modifications to make it a no-compromises street killer with a big bottle of nitrous in the trunk.
This 2004 Mini Cooper S with the John Cooper Works package was the top-of-the-line Mini. More power, sharper handling, and, of course, the exclusivity of the JCW package almost guaranteed collectability. Having spent its entire life in Florida, where the compact car tuner scene is red hot, it’s no surprise that this Indi Blue Metallic Mini has been thoughtfully and expertly upgraded. With all the goodness of the stock car and a big hit of horsepower thanks to a Alta Performance tuning kit and a big bottle of nitrous, it’s the kind of car that can hunt Mustangs and still pull down 35 MPG on the highway.
Indi Blue is a popular color with Mini aficionados, deep and lustrous and giving the diminutive Mini a big car look. In the right light, it just glows a wild electric blue, and at night it looks almost black. Hailing from sunny Florida, you know this one has never been rusty or seen a winter snowstorm, so all the sheetmetal is laser straight and the factory-issue paint was recently professionally buffed and polished to give it a show car shine. The roof was painted white and a set of satin black racing stripes were added as well, a look that appears to be OEM in finish and execution. Nevertheless, this is a very high-profile Mini that’s impossible to overlook.
The interior has a highly organic look, with seats that are made of something Mini calls “space fabric.” All the original factory gauges, including the center-mounted speedometer, are fully functional, as is the A/C, the power windows, and all the other accessories. The custom controller for the fuel system and nitrous kit was neatly integrated into the center stack and armed by a big, red military-style switch to the right of the steering column. You’ll note that the back seat has been removed to accommodate the rather large bottle of nitrous, but it is included with the car should you wish to take it back to stock. That nitrous bottle also has a bottle warmer, which racers will know is the best way to get maximum performance out of the system. The JCW package added carbon fiber accents, including a shift knob and E-brake handle.
Augmented by a supercharger, the 1.6 liter DOHC inline-four churned out 163 horsepower, which was boosted to a nice, round 200 with the John Cooper Works package. Coupled with the nitrous (which works as both additional air and as an intercooler), performance is downright terrifying, as the front wheels claw for traction and the car lunges forward. It may not seem like much, but flicking that bright red switch turns this mild-mannered Dr. Jekyll into a raving, Mustang-chasing Mr. Hyde. Without the nitrous system armed, it remains as docile and easy to drive as a stocker, and is happy to putter in rush-hour traffic or pull down hundreds of miles without complaint. The engine bay was detailed for show, and offers a nearly new look with only a few obvious signs of the upgrades, including an MSD ignition system.
A sweet-shifting 6-speed manual transmission was probably worth the cost of the S upgrade all by itself, and offers closer ratios and a better overdrive for cruising. The upgraded motor doesn’t complain about lugging around town in a high gear, and the ride is surprisingly supple given the car’s short wheelbase and lowered suspension. Coil-over dampers at all four corners pull the body down tight over the wheels, which are finished in high gloss black with a red rim and wear 215/35/18 performance radials.
The car also includes manuals and other paperwork that covers the modifications, as well as stuff like the original owner’s manual and booklets.
The Mini has definitely struck a chord with the American motoring public. If you’re not interested in the same car your secretary drives, perhaps this expertly modified JCW is the right choice. With all the virtues of a stock Mini, plus giant-killing performance, it’s a no-compromises performance car with a dash of practicality, all for a bargain price. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.VintageMotorCarsUSA.com.
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STOCK/INV. NUMBER:
132177
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