Former Jaguar design chief launches A$160,000 Mini restomod

Ian Callum, the design chief of Jaguar until 2019, has teamed up with coachbuilders Wood & Pickett for a Mini restomod.

Based on the Mk5 Mini Sportspack built from 1997 until the original car’s demise in 2001, the restomod includes wide Wood & Pickett wheel arches, and new side sills.

The front and rear valences under the bumpers have been redesigned for improved cooling. Both the head- and tail-lights have been upgraded to LED units, with new graphics at both ends.

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Under the bonnet lives a thoroughly reworked four-cylinder engine that’s grown from 1.275L to 1.31L. The increase in volume, as well as new performance cylinder heads, a unique exhaust system with two upswept tips, and revised twin-point fuel injection system boosts output to 82kW.

The car rides on a new suspension kit and Ian Callum-designed 13-inch alloy wheels. Up front there’s an upgraded braking package featuring 213mm grooved and ventilated discs, while the rear remains a drum-only setup.

Inside there’s a new dashboard that’s inspired by Wood & Pickett’s “Margrave” interior, and includes metal bezels for the dials and vents, piano key switches, an entertainment system that supports Apple CarPlay, and a pair of cupholders ahead of the gearshift.

Other changes include new front seats, and a rebuilt and retrimmed rear bench. Extra soundproofing has been installed, as has new high quality carpet, and electric windows.

The Wood and Pickett Mini by Callum has a starting price of £75,000 (A$157,500), with each car hand built and personalised to the buyer’s specifications.

There will be a limited production run, although no number has been specified. The brown car seen here is the first production car, and belongs to British model David Gandy.

Wood & Pickett is a coachbuilder and car modification company that dates back to 1947, and made a name for itself in the 1960s for its work on the original Mini.

Ian Callum was head of design for Jaguar from 1999 to 2019 when he quit to start his own automotive design consultancy.

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