Spotted this John Cooper Works Mini that is mightier than the rest on Spring Street in Soho. Unlike someone we know, this owner was able to control him or herself from covering the entire body in carbon fiber accents and ridiculously oversized rear wings. The result is a boy racer with a tasteful level of modifications that really emphasizes this hot hatchback’s ability to get up and go. All of the modern day Minis are pretty great thanks to their agile handling, great fuel economy, relative light weight, free scheduled manintenance and famous BMW fit & finish, but I particularly adore these supercharged gen 1 models. They somehow appear cleaner and less bulbous than the twin scroll turbo gen 2 models currently in dealers

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I recently had the opportunity to go exploring in the streets of Sun Valley during a recent trip. Walking around, sun blazing, I began to recognize a common theme of expansive properties, dirt yards, roosters, mammals, at least three vehicles per household, at least two of them sitting immobile with the hoods up, horse trailers, boats and Sea Doos, all with months of dirt on them, baking in the sun.

I happen upon a yard full of kiddie pools with gangs of ducks wading in them and feel the need to remind myself that I’m only 15 minutes from Downtown LA. Across the street, behind a locked gate, is this great looking Mini of the vintage variety. As I’m admiring it, and enjoying the fact that it’s on Dayton wire wheels, the owner pulls up riding a mini 80cc dirtbike with extra loud exhaust mods. Late twenties/early thirties, shirtless, silver chain around his neck, heavily tatted, arriving home from the liquor store with a large grocery bag in hand (meaning he rode to the store on public roads with no helmet, and shopped in the store with no shirt on). He’s polite and thanked me for complimenting the car and then proceeded to open up the gate to expose two trailers on the property (Airstream and regular RV). There is no house to be found.

Maybe he lives in the Airstream and cooks meth in the RV? Or maybe he’s just a nice guy with no hangups about living in a trailer in a dirt lot as long as he can have his dream car. Weigh in below with your thoughts.

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It’s funny how Minis can make everyday vehicles around them look a bit silly. Even though it appears the car is standing still, we were actually traveling next to it at 75 mph. This super clean pre-BMW Mini is modified just enough to affirm you’re seeing something special – but your attention isn’t drawn to any one mod. The slightly raked stance, fender flares, MiniLite-style wheels, classy pin striping, crisp interior with contrast piping and wailing dual center-exit exhaust are all working together quite well. We can’t be certain on the year because the original Mini, essentially GB’s Beetle, was made in this basic body style all the way up until 2000 (MK1 – MK3). But the modern interior alludes to a 90s vehicle. Feel free to weigh in below.

MIKE ARDELEAN

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