£99k Mini driven
Can remastered classic really be worth nearly £100k?
WITH its gold-plated image and legendary story, the Mini rarely needs an introduction. But the car you see here does require some explanation. This is the Mini Remastered: built by David Brown Automotive, it’s a reinterpretation of the classic and is the company’s second car.
“Think of it as the ultimate coachbuilt Mini,” founder David Brown told us. “It’s like the Wood & Pickett Minis of the sixties.”
The intention is to deliver the ultimate in opulence while meeting modern customers’ wishes. So there’s a plush interior with leather, Alcantara headlining, climate control and a neat-looking seven-inch touchscreen – including Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
Each Remastered starts out as an original car. Its VIN plate is carried over but a brandnew shell is added. There’s a new grille, LED lights, electric windows and 17 coats of paint. A refurbished engine is fitted, albeit enlarged from 1,275cc to 1,330cc, delivering 94bhp and 118Nm of torque. Four-piston disc brakes feature, while new suspension and a stop/start system have been added. It takes 1,400 hours to build a Mini Remastered.
The driving position will frustrate those who’ve never driven a Mini; for those who have, the shallower steering wheel angle and lower seat feel more natural.
Push the starter button and the engine is coaxed into life. The Mini picks up speed quickly, but over 50mph the engine feels a bit overwrought. With just four gears it’s noisy, despite all the sound deadening. Also, the firm suspension causes it to pogo along, although it’s all part of this unique model’s charm.