This is the fastest production ‘original’ Mini to ever hit the road.
It’s called the David Brown Automotive Oselli Edition and is a limited run of models to feature a 1,450cc petrol engine with 123bhp that can accelerate from standstill to 62mph in less than eight seconds. That might not sound quick by modern day car standards, but it’s fast for a classic shape Mini.
Only 60 are being made in an ultra-high specification. The combination of exclusivity and performance means a super-sized price tag for such a small motor, with prices starting from around £100,000.
That’s five times the cost of a historically-relevant 1961 Mini that’s due to be sold at auction this weekend. Registration ‘OFL 94’ – understood to be the third oldest known Mini Cooper in existence – is being offered to the highest bidder on Saturday and is expected to sell for between £20,000 and £25,000.
Remastered for the 21st Century: This is the new David Brown Automotive Mini Remastered Oselli Edition – a limited run of 60 high-spec models to mark the 60th birthday of the iconic car
UK boutique car maker David Brown Automotive has been specialising in pumping out high-end Minis since 2018.
Its range of ‘Remastered’ models take the original’s design and iconic character then fit the latest high-performance parts and technology to bring the 1960s icon up to the 21st Century.
They’re not cheap, with prices starting upwards of £80,000 for the built-to-order reborn classic cars.
The Oselli Edition takes that eye-watering price to a new level, reportedly kicking off at £98,000 – and that’s before customers tailor them to order.
What you get is an Oselli-tuned version of the BMC A-Series four-cylinder petrol engine that’s been bored out from 1,275cc to 1,450cc, competition-spec internals and a Bilstein free-flowing exhaust system – all of which combine to produce 123bhp and 153Nm of torque.
That’s good enough to propel the dinky Mini to 62mph in 7.8 seconds.
That’s a third of the time it would take the very first Minis from 1959 to hit that speed. The 37bhp 848cc in the original took 24 seconds to achieve 62mph from a standing start.
It won’t be cheap: The starting price for a standard Mini Remastered from David Brown Automotive is upwards of £80,000. One of these limited-run models will set you back around £100,000 before options
It is officially the fastest production ‘original’ Mini of all time. The bored-out 1,450cc engine produces 123bhp – enough power to fire it from zero to 62mph in 7.8 seconds
A full performance upgrade means the engine is three times as powerful as the original 1959 Mini
Formula 1 test driver, Jack Aitken (pictured), is the face of Mini Remastered Oselli Edition and has already put the car through its paces on track
A limited-slip differential means it should be able to transfer the increase in power onto the tarmac via 13-inch wheels and soft sports tyres to retain the car’s legendary ‘go-kart-like’ driving attributes.
Other performance upgrades include a stiffer suspension setup and AP Racing brakes.
The introduction of a new five-speed manual gearbox should make the car more bearable on motorway journeys, though an automatic transmission is also available to customers who prefer it.
In terms of styling, the cars get a mesh grille with the ’60’ emblazoned in it to mark the Mini’s 60th anniversary and flanked by a pair of spotlamps. LED headlamps also replace the original Mini’s halogen units.
Buyers have the choice of just two colourways – either an off-white or dark grey paint with racing stripes in blue, red of green.
A limited-slip differential means it should be able to transfer the increase in power into the tarmac via 13-inch wheels and soft sports tyres to retain the car’s legendary ‘go-kart-like’ driving attributes
The introduction of a new five-speed manual gearbox should make the car more bearable on motorway journeys, though an automatic transmission is also available to customers who prefer it
The Oselli Edition takes that eye-watering price to a new level, reportedly kicking off at £98,000 – and that’s before customers tailor them to order
The interior gets a full revamp, with leather upholstery, Alcantara steering wheel and machined aluminium pedals joined by a restyled dashboard that holds retro Smiths gauges and a modern infotainment system
The engine’s rocker cover is painted to match the external scheme and buyers can even have a complementing race suit and helmet – though will have to pay extra for these.
Like the performance components, the interior gets a full modern-era upgrade, with leather upholstery, Alcantara steering wheel and machined aluminium pedals joined by a restyled dashboard that holds retro Smiths gauges and a modern infotainment system.
For those wanting to go globe trotting in their Mini, there is also the option to spec an additional fuel tank in the back.
While the car is legal for the road, David Brown Automotive is also trying to temp buyers who part with six figures for a Mini to take their prized motors onto circuits.
For a sum of around £108,000, customers can have the rear bench removed and a full road-cage installed, along with four-point racing harnesses instead of conventional seat belts and a pair of bucket seats up front.
For those wanting to go globe trotting in their Mini, there is also the option to spec an additional fuel tank in the back
For an increased price of around £108,000, customers can have the rear bench removed and a full road-cage installed
Buyers can pay extra for a complimenting race suit, carry bag and jerry can (left). Customers can also get a matching helmet for when they take their Mini on the track (right)
Third oldest surviving Mini Cooper to go under the hammer this weekend
For a quarter of the DBA Oselli Mini price, you could get your hands on one of the earliest original performance Minis still on the road.
Going under the hammer in the Silverstone Auctions May Sale on Saturday (22 May) is the Mini recognised to be the third oldest Cooper to survive today.
The 1961 Morris Mini Cooper (997) – registration number ‘OFL 94’ – has matching numbers proving it to be one of the oldest examples still on the road ahead of the Cooper reaching its 60th birthday in September.
Going under the hammer in the Siverstone Auctions May Sale on Saturday (22 May) is the Mini recognised to be the third oldest Cooper to survive today
his example was completed on the 21 September 1961 and is the 76th built of the second batch of Mini Coopers
Finished in Tartan Red paint with a Black Roof – and the correct Tartan Red and Gold Brocade interior – it is estimated to sell for between £20,000 and £25,000
Early Mini Coopers were built in two batches: the first 150 in July 1961 followed by further cars in August and September that year.
This example was completed on the 21 September 1961 and is the 76th built of the second batch – making it the 226th Cooper to come off the assembly line.
Fully restored by the vendor with the emphasis on ‘period accuracy’, the odometer indicates it has just 45,640 miles on the clock.
Finished in Tartan Red paint with a Black Roof – and the correct Tartan Red and Gold Brocade interior – it should draw plenty of attention when to the auction block at the weekend, especially with a guide price of between £20,000 and £25,000.
Silverstone Auctions said: ‘ Many might regard this car as a museum piece and it would certainly grace any Mini collection, however, we feel that as this year is the 60th anniversary of the Mini Cooper, this venerable little 997 should celebrate its 60th birthday in September surrounded by admirers.’
Fully restored by the vendor with the emphasis on ‘period accuracy’, the odometer indicates it has just 45,640 miles on the clock
This examples was completed on the 21 September 1961 and is the 76th built of the second batch – making it the 226th Cooper to come off the assembly line. Only two older versions of the Cooper are in existence, it is believed
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