It’s always been a car of the people, but in the 1960s some of the most famous of those people wanted something a little more from their Mini.
Coachbuilder Wood & Pickett came up with the answer: a luxurious wood and leather-clad cabin that offered the kind of luxury that stars like Mick Jagger, Elton John, and Paul McCartney were more used to.
Now, designer Ian Callum, whose back catalog includes the Aston Martin Vanquish, XK, F-Type, and C-X75 Jaguars, has collaborated with the coachbuilder for a limited run of truly marvelous Minis.
The cars will all be based on last-of-the-line Mk5 Sportspack Mini Coopers, with their body-colored fender flares, to which Callum has added an entirely new front fascia that incorporates modern headlights and twin spotlights mounted in the grille instead of being fixed to the bumpers.
Inside, there’s a completely new dashboard with plenty of leather, polished wood, and metal. Polished aluminum is used for switchgear, and a small touchscreen has also been incorporated. The sporty seats feature a checked cloth and hide combo, and there’s even a pair of cupholders.
To update the driving experience, the A-Series engine has been increased in capacity from 1275 cubic centimeters to 1310. There’s a new cylinder head, fuel injection, and a custom twin-exit exhaust system. The net result is a power hike from 64 hp to 111 horses, which should be plenty. The gearbox is said to have been strengthened, while dished 13-inch alloy wheels of Callum’s own design replace the original Minilites. The brakes are upgraded to 8.4-inch discs, and the suspension has also had a makeover.
“The Mini is one of the most important cars ever created, not just for its innovative engineering, but for what it represents culturally as a symbol of British ingenuity and style,” says Callum. “It’s a car that broke the rules and became a global icon. To reimagine it through the lens of Callum, with Wood and Pickett’s craftsmanship, has been deeply rewarding.”
Sixty years ago, supermodel Twiggy razzed around London in her Wood & Pickett Mini, so it’s appropriate the first of this new breed is going to male manikin David Gandy to add to his car collection.
“The Wood and Pickett Mini by Callum embodies everything I love about automotive craftsmanship, bespoke, attention to detail, and, of course, performance,” adds Gandy. “I’m proud to be the first owner of such a remarkable vehicle.”
Also in keeping with its celebrity status is the price. Builds will start at £75,000 ($102,000), although Callum promises no two will be alike.
I actually expected this to start much higher than it does. It looks very nice.
Facebook Conversations