The last 'classic' Mini was produced  in late 2000 but BMW had plans in place to produce a successor and the new car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1997.

The new MINI was bigger but had many recognisable cues, both externally with chrome trim and internally, including the large centre mounted speedometer, a distinguishing feature of the original Mini.

Underneath it was a new car, having BMW's Z-axle rear suspension and a 1.6 litre unit, built in Brazil by Tritec Motors, a joint venture between BMW and DaimlerChrysler.

The first models available were MINI One and Cooper, of which this particular car is one of the first to be produced at BMW's new manufacturing facility at Cowley