Mini Remastered by David Brown Automotive is the Mini MINI isn’t – at a price (+ video)

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David Brown Automotive has revealed its Project 2 as the Mini Remastered, a recreation of the iconic 1960s Mini at a price north of £50,000.

We love what David Brown Automotive (DBA) has done with the Speedback GT, a recreation of the Aston Martin DB5 but one fit for the 21st century. So when they announced Project 2 we were imagining all sorts of recreated British motoring icons. But we didn’t bank on this.

David Brown Automotive has announced Project 2 is the Mini Remastered, a recreated Mini made 21st century ready but retaining everything that appeals about the original, properly iconic, Mini.

DBA say their Mini is designed to be the ultimate modern classic for city motoring, remastered using modern luxury materials, fitted with new technology and hand built from the ground up with new panels at DBA’s new Silverstone facility.

The Mini’s seams are gone, the panels are smooth and luxurious, there’s added structural stiffness and oceans of sound proofing to cocoon occupants from city – and Mini – noise.

Cues from the Speedback also make it to the Mini, from the grille which works so well on both cars, and the rear light cluster which works better on the Speedback, to David Brown badges and puddle lights in the bullet wing mirrors.

Inside there’s all you need for modern urban motoring, with infotainment and Sat Nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Keyless, good sound, USB, sculptured hand-trimmed seats, leather, Smith dials (sadly, not in the middle of the dash) – and a cup holder.

Under the skin is a rebuilt 1275cc engine and four-speed manual gearbox – a combination from the later Cooper S – upgraded suspension and brakes and 50 per cent more power than the original, so should be good for 80bhp, which doesn’t sound much but will feel lively. But it looks like you can option a newer 1.3 litre and better brakes and power steering too.

Each of David Brown’s Minis takes over 1,000 man hours to build – a big chunk of that on the paint – and will come as a base model and as ‘Inspired by Café Racers’ and ‘Inspired by Monte Carlo’ special editions. They could push prices up to £70k or more.

David Brown, found of the eponymous DBA, said:

The car will have all of the style and feel of a classic with modern dynamics.

We’ve built this car to sit alongside any classic or modern collector’s garage and I can see this being a fantastic city car, too. We’ve had an amazing response to the car from Speedback GT customers and David Brown Automotive fans and we believe this is a car that will appeal to men, women, the young and old.

It’s not cheap, but David Brown’s Mini Remastered does offer something you really can’t get anywhere, in a stroke delivering a completely usable city car icon which also evokes almost forgotten luxury Minis like Wood & Pickett and Radford.

The David Brown Automotive Mini Remastered gets its public debut at Top Marques Monaco on 20-23 April.

Mini Remastered Video