Jaguar F-Type Designer Unleashes Mini Restomod With Double The Power And A Massive Price Tag

Responsible for the new take on the old classic is Ian Callum, the former Jaguar design boss responsible for cars like the F-Type sports car and C-X75 supercar concept, as well as the original Aston Martin Vanquish. He now runs his own design skunkworks, Callum Designs, and the UK company is currently accepting orders for the restomodded Mini.

A Return Of Mini Coachbuilding

Older fans of Mini will immediately recognize the Wood & Pickett name. It was a coachbuilder founded in 1947 by Bill Wood and Les Pickett, and is famous for its premium Minis built in the 1960s and '70s. The cars were often bought by celebrities, including members of The Beatles and actor Peter Sellers, and Callum looks to be continuing this trend, as the first Wood & Pickett Mini by Callum was commissioned by model and car journalist David Gandy.

A UK company that operates today under the Wood & Pickett name offers restoration services for classic Minis and was tasked by Callum to build the restomod. The car is based on one of the last of the original Minis built, the Mk5 Mini Sportspack produced from 1997-2001, and is instantly recognizable by its wide-arch design.

Callum’s changes include new designs for the front and rear fascias, as well as the rocker panels. The lights are also unique designs at both ends, and instead of the famous multi-spoke wheels, Callum has gone with a simpler design matching the original 13-inch diameter but boasting just four chunky spokes. Inside, the transformation continues with a dashboard inspired by the original Wood and Pickett’s famous Margrave design, as well as premium touches like Bridge of Weir leather, new switchgear, and even an infotainment system.

More Power, More Fun

The original 1.3-liter engine has also been massaged to deliver 110 horsepower, up from the original 63 hp. This was achieved via new engine mapping, a new cylinder head, a modern fuel injection system, and a better-breathing exhaust system featuring upswept tailpipes. The gearbox has also been reinforced to handle the increased power output, which has nearly doubled.

The handling has been refined for a balance of comfort and performance, via a suspension kit and a modern braking system sporting 8.4-inch vented rotors. Callum said modifications were also made to improve noise, vibration, and harshness levels.

Mini Restomod Doesn't Come Cheap

The Wood and Pickett Mini by Callum will make its formal debut at the Heveningham Concours, which runs in the UK from June 27–29. Pricing starts at £75,000 (approximately $102,000), and build slots are limited. Because the cars are highly personalized, no two examples will be the same, according to Callum.

Callum isn't the first to come up with the idea of offering restomodded versions of the original Mini. Fellow British firm David Brown Automotive unveiled its own Remastered Mini late last decade. Even Mini launched its own factory service a few years back, known as Mini Recharged, which offered EV conversions for the original Mini.