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Featured: David Brown Automotive Will Build You An All-New Classic Mini

David Brown Automotive Will Build You An All-New Classic Mini

By Florence Walker
April 6, 2017
10 comments

Photography courtesy of David Brown Automotive

You can’t beat a Mini for bombing around the streets and lanes of Great Britain, but you’d be hard pressed to find a classic one that doesn’t need a serious amount of welding and a little ingenuity to figure out where to balance your iPhone. Hats off then to David Brown Automotive, the company redefining coach building for the 21st century for taking the much loved design of the classic Mini to task.

Yesterday, at the launch of their newest retro reimagining, company founder David Brown said that the car has already had a great response from existing customers, “We’ve had an amazing response to the car from current Speedback GT customers and fans of David Brown Automotive in general, and we believe this is a car that will appeal to men, women, the young and old.” Brown’s just stating a fact here: of course the Mini appeals to everyone—but it’s what he’s packed into the car that’s getting the kids doing the twist again.

The all-new car has kept the the majority of Alec Issigonis’ original concept, but—traditionalists might want to look away now—David Brown has put its own stamp on the car by changing the design of the grille and taillights.  Then there’s all the new tech on board. The Remastered Mini boasts a built-in infotainment and navigation system with all of your Apple and Android connectivity needs, as well access for other systems via USB, and whatever you choose to pipe through the trick setup, a four-speaker sound system can really blow the bloody doors off.

The engine has been reworked, too. The David Brown Automotive team has completely rebuilt the classic Mini engine and have slapped on enough modifications to gain 50% more power over the original. Match all that to a fully reconditioned four-speed gearbox with better brakes and suspension as well, and you’ve got yourself the perfect non-Mini Mini runaround for the modern day.

 

Tags David Brown Automotive/ Mini/ Restomod
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Dieut et mon Droit
Dieut et mon Droit
5 years ago

There are others that do a decent and cool restoration, admittedly not a restomod, remaining much truer to the original spirit of the mini and not charging GBP 70-100k for them.

I would love to see and hear more minis around in London but i can’t quite see the target group at that price level. It’s ludicrous. I will soon be building a second mini for myself and it sure won’t cost me 70k; maybe because i won’t have a 7” touch screen and angel leds!

3
CooperS
CooperS
5 years ago

And what I mean is, I own a 2005 Mini Cooper S and absolutely love driving it and have driven the hell out of it for 12 years. I’ve always loved small cars with big souls and the Mini is no exception. I was hoping that if they were going to build you a new take on the classic, at least set in a price range that makes logical sense.

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CooperS
CooperS
5 years ago

Um, Autoweek reported on this last week and in their article they stated: “A price hasn’t been set, but “from £70k” is the guide — a startling $87,000.” So they’re catering to those who have so much money they don’t know what to do with it … Sorry, this makes me ill.

3
Wingnut
Wingnut
5 years ago

My first car was a ‘ 67 1275 Cooper S in my own paint scheme of John Player Special colors of black and gold. I loved the car which helped me refine my early driving skills or lack there of on the country roads around Ipswich, England. Like others, I feel the tail lights are over-styled but rest assured I’d take one in a London heart beat!

1
Fernando Souto
Fernando Souto
5 years ago

I like the idea but you have to echo the original design philosophy…simple is better, lighter = faster. I agree with Gerard 77…the taillights are awful.

3
Sir Mouse
Sir Mouse
5 years ago

I believe some of you have missed the idea behind this remastered Mini. It has been targeted at a specific group of people. Young, Chic, tech savy, very well paid individuals wanting an affectation. A hint of retro Kool if you will. Looking at it in that light, it hits the mark. I’d say David Brown Automotive knows its market.

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Gerard77
Gerard77
5 years ago

Tail-lights are awful. Also to each their own, but personally if I like old cars it’s because… I hate modern cars. So idon’t really see point in adding modernism into old cars. These cars or Singer Porsche are kind of cool yes, but very absurd to me.

0
Paul Thompson
Paul Thompson
5 years ago

The colour coordinated oil filter must be a first…

1
Oscar
Oscar
5 years ago

Also a shame that the characteristic structural a-pillar/water gutter has been taken away, it’s one of the most iconic design elements.

1
Kyle Shearer
Kyle Shearer
5 years ago

Beautiful.

Shame about those tail lights though.

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