The experience of driving a small car quickly is one that many believe to be the purest form of driving. Reaching a car’s limit is almost impossible in the realm of modern supercars, but for cars like the original Mini Cooper, once the limit has been found, the driver's bravery is usually handsomely rewarded with an incredibly fast lap time. This restomodded Mini Cooper S heading to Classic Auctions - Masterpieces of automotive history on April 26th is a real wolf in sheep’s clothing and according to the talented team who created this outrageous, it's “Guaranteed to give you goose bumps.” Now there's a statement we can believe.
That talented bunch started with inventor Raffael Heierli, and more specifically his bachelor’s thesis at the University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil in Switzerland. With the financial support of entrepreneur Walter Frey, owner of the Emil Frey Group, a limited series of five vehicles was completed in 2018 and presented to the public for the first time at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, to an utterly astonished set of onlookers.
The Meanie is mid-engined, rocketed along by an in-line four-cylinder engine with direct injection and a turbocharger from Volkswagen, producing an impressive 189 horsepower. The chassis consists of a specially developed tubular frame made of chrome-molybdenum steel, while the bodywork remains incredibly modest, leaving only the sharpest of eyes to spot what lurks beneath this mighty Meanie.
Not only has the bodywork and powertrain been given an overhaul, but the Meanie’s interior is a beautiful fusion of sportiness and practicality. Period-style bucket seats offer firm support, while the compact sports steering wheel sits comfortably in the hand. Every element of the car has been considered and in no way modernised visually, even down to the infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. The result is a mighty weekend café racer that combines the best of the Mini’s rich heritage with all the modern touches we’ve come to expect.
Safenwil, 26 Apr
