2006 MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS GP COUPE
Designer: Frank Stephenson

Estimate: $25,000 ­ - $32,000

Chassis Number: WMWRE93586YB72016
Decoded: W=Assembled in Germany; MW=BMW Mini Werks; RE=Mini Cooper; 9=W11 1.8
Liter engine; 3=USA specs; 5=Passenger restraint system; 8=Check Digit; 6=2006; Y=Manual
Transmission; B=Berlin assembly; 72016=Unit sequence
Engine: 1.6 Liter OHC in­line 4­-cylinder
Eaton Blower / 218 bhp
6­-Speed Manual Transmission
Heavy Duty Power Assisted Four Wheel Disc Brakes

● Special Edition, Last of R53 Mini’s
● High Performance Competition­Ready
● Very Limited Edition

The Model: In 2006, the last thing BMW/Mini needed to do was to try and sell cars. The factory was working above capacity already. But with build­out dates scheduled, a special edition was created, the John Cooper Works GP. This was effectively a street legal quasi­prepped race car featuring special body reinforcements including a rear strut tower brace replacing the back seat, the removal of sound deadener, special Recaro seats and an engine equipped with a revised Eaton blower. Of course you could still order a radio, but many other convenience options were “verboten”. Bodies were hand finished in Italy by Bertone before assembly, which included smoothing the undersides, with final assembly and trim taking place at Mini’s Berlin facility. Production number have varied but it is believe just over 400 Cooper Works GP’s came to America and when one is offered for sale plenty of people pay attention.

The Car: All of the Works GP cars were painted with a Pure Silver roof and Thunder Blue body and were numbered featuring a decal on the roof plus a plaque on the dash. Mechanically, the engine’s intercooler was less restrictive, which along with a stiffer chassis made these road hugging machines. This example has all the factory touches from the red mirrors on the doors to the four­spoke alloy wheels. Produced in July 2006, It was shipped to the USA and has seen little road use. Factory equipment includes performance enhancing goodies like limited slip differential, “Dynamic Stability” control, on board computer and even a heated driver’s seat. The Works GP is a bit noisier than a regular Mini, but that’s because it weighs nearly 100 lbs less with all the insulation removed. One of the quickest and smallest cars ever produced, this is one Mini you should not pass up.