The Mini Cooper S Touring: An Insight

Between 1997 and 1999, the Cooper S Touring emerged from John Cooper Garages, based on the Mk7 Rover Mini Cooper MPI. This model was similar to its counterpart, the Cooper S Sport 5, featuring a high-compression S-stage cylinder head with enlarged valves and a set of 1:5:1 ratio roller-tip rockers. It also boasted a high-performance exhaust complete with a 3-branch manifold and a Janspeed silencer, alongside a modified fuel pressure regulator. These enhancements increased the power output to 85bhp and reduced the 0-60mph time to 9.95 seconds. Unlike the Sport 5, the S Touring retained the Mini’s original 4-speed gearbox with taller 2:7 final drive. This made for a more relaxed driving experience at higher speeds, which is where the "Touring" designation comes from. Visually, the Cooper S Touring was enhanced with ‘Cooper S Touring’ side decals, body-coloured wheel arches, and stainless steel door step covers marked with the ‘John Cooper’ name. It also featured alloy door handles and a stylish burr walnut dashboard along with door cappings. Each vehicle was fitted with a John Cooper Garages conversion plaque on the crossmember, noting its unique car number. The Mini Cooper S Touring was available for both standard and Sportspack Minis.

Our 1999 Mini Cooper S Touring for sale

Our Rover Mini Cooper S Touring, car number 98-S-144, was originally supplied by John Cooper Garages on 11th January 1999 and is presented is desirable Tahiti Blue with a white roof and bonnet stripes, over a black leather-trimmed interior. The Mini has been enthusiast-owned its entire life and has covered just 64,000 miles, with a comprehensive history file to warrant the mileage. This particular example also benefits from a later 7.5-inch ‘Cooper S’ front brake conversion. 

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Rover Mini ‘Cooper S Touring’ by MiniWorld & John Cooper Garages

We also previously sold a unique and very special Mini ‘Cooper S Touring’ by MiniWorld Magazine and John Cooper Garages. This Mini, finished in rare Nightfire Red, was supplied to Link House Magazines, the publisher of MiniWorld, on 12th December 1996 and became the subject of a special magazine feature project. It was subsequently sent to John Cooper Garages in Worthing for the Cooper S Touring 85bhp conversion. Further cosmetic enhancements included special ‘S Touring’ and ‘MiniWorld’ decals, engraved John Cooper door trim and a custom set of ‘MiniWorld’ embroidered floor mats with matching cream leather piping. The Mini was finished off with a set of MiniSport 'Saxon' split-rim four-spoke alloy wheels and a high quality power amplifier and speaker system. The entire project was publicised in MiniWorld Magazine, with the car offered as a prize in MiniWorld's 'Win a Min!' competition. On 6th July 1997, the Mini was collected by the lucky competition winner at the International MiniWorld Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham.

Find out more here.