Classic & Sports Car magazine - September 2026
"This issue celebrates the enduring charm of the Mini, revisiting its legacy and evolution, particularly in light of BMW's homage to its roots.
A quarter of a century on, BMW's R50 MINI is an emerging classic but how does it rate against the last-of-the-line Rover Mini Cooper Sport?
The gap before the 2001 launch needed filling so into the 10ft frame Rover squeezed features no Mini had seen before. Extended periods between Mini motoring make it easy to forget what a unique experience these cars provide. Everyone involved in the project was adamant the new car would retain the energetic character of it's predecessor. The first 700 or so BMW R50 MINIs were produced right at the end of the Y-reg period. Like the 1959/60 BMC Minis several detail features of the early Y-Reg R50 MINIs were swiftly redesigned and have increased interest in seeking out the remaining cars that are left. Today they are hunted by a dedicated group of enthusiasts, many of whom belong to the MINI 'Y' Register. The R50 MINI went on sale on 7th July 2001 and many UK buyers delayed delivery until the 1st September so their shiny new MINI had the new type of 51 reg plate."
Most of the last Rover Mini Cooper Sports were registered on an X-reg but quite a few were delayed or unsold long enough to also be registered on the new 51 reg plate.
https://pocketmags.c...ne#popuppreview
The MINI Y REGister:-
https://miniyregister.co.uk/
02S Register:-
"Following the success of the MINI Y REGister and mirroring the success of the MINI R50 launch back in 2001 and then the R53 launch in 2002 the 02S Register was setup as a club for enthusiasts of the early MINI Cooper S R53s built in there first year of production."
https://02sregister.co.uk/
Mini Cooper Sport 500 Register:-
"On October 4th 2000, after 41 memorable years and 5,387,862 produced, production of the most famous car ever, namely, the Mini, came to an end. Rover decided to end it with great celebrations and also build a Special Edition, which would mark the Final Classic Mini."
https://www.coopersp...00register.com/
2000 Mini Register:-
"The 2000 Mini Register is relatively new, launched in 2013. We also run the Cooper Sport 500 Register which has been in existence since 2003 and we have expanded to cater for the similar cars to the 500's, the late Cooper Sports, the final 2000 'Classic' Range and all enthusiasts of the 'MPi' (Multi-point Injection) Classic Mini range made by Rover, including the Japanese specification cars which were a mix of MPi and SPi (Single-point Injection) parts. We have also now by popular demand started a John Cooper S Works Conversion register for the extra special cars that were treated to the John Cooper Garages 90bhp upgrade conversion."
https://www.2000mini...co.uk/Index.php
Edited by mab01uk, Yesterday, 09:00 AM.
