H15 FUN – Now even more fun.

 

As promised earlier this year I have an update on the completed H15 FUN.  As predicted, it was unveiled in it’s full glory at Silverstone 40^th Mini Party.  Completing the build was right down to the wire, meaning the Thursday night before the event. To date it has covered only 14 miles.

 

First thing Saturday morning was the first public unveiling (obviously yours truly was there waiting to get an early peek). In the very pukka marquee next to the Rover stand was H15 FUN on revolving stand a la motor show.  It looked a bit different from when I last saw it as a mere rolling shell.

 

The bodywork feature retro bumper treatment, corner bars, overriders and Cooper grill (the 850 type wavy grill is a pet hate of Mike Cooper whose brainchild the car is).  The paintwork was Mike Cooper’s inspiration after seeing the colour on a modern Porsche.  It’s a very classy looking dark blue metallic, quite different to Tahiti blue.  The roof and stripes are in a subtle shade of Audi silver metallic.  Sports pack wheels with sports pack arches of course have undergone polishing (as per the ‘Limo’ Cooper).  The underpinnings feature Adjusta ride suspension and Koni adjustable shocks all round.  To help stop it all in a hurry are four pot brake callipers at the front and Minifin drums adorn the rear.  Details on the power source I will make you wait for.  Oooh I’m such a tease!

 

Continuing on the body front the chrome-plated sumpguard almost looks too nice to bounce off sleeping policemen.  The trademark Cooper alloy flip filler caps are there in duplicate to shout out to you “Twin tanks”.  The rear wash/wipe with chrome wiper is there to enhance visibility.  As if that was not enough of a pose it also has a metal sliding electric sunroof.  This is as per the manufacturer, Hollandia (Webasto) that makes the factory option glass version.

 

Moving on to the interior the S Works dash adds the race look with silver backings to the dials and full alloy door furniture to compliment it.  The steering wheel (air bag type as it is a current spec body direct from Rover) is trimmed in the same colour as the seats, light grey and blue inserts.  Apart from the already trimmed Recaro, fully electrically adjustable seats (what a mouthful) the rest of the interior benefits from the craftsmanship of David Pearce in Cowfield.  This highly skilled gent regularly retrims cars to coach built quality to original specification.  Cars like vintage Bentley’s.  Lets just say H15 FUN is the most plushly upholstered car you will see with not an inch of bare metal in sight.

 

The fun part of the interior is the polka dot headlining.  It could send you in a spin if you had to clean it though.  Even the CD changer has its own cosy compartment on the rear floor near the back seat on the driver’s side. The sound for which is enhanced by the door pod speakers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Really Fun Part

 

Onto the bit you’ve been waiting for – the power unit.  A twin point injection engine given the full 1380 John Cooper Garages upgrade (as per the current catalogue).  The engine block is painted in the classic green colour as per 60’s Mini engines, topped off with a very 90’s carbon fibre rocker cover.  The upgraded air filter assembly is from a company called JR (makers of performance air filters).  The extra power is kept in tune by the remapped and chipped ECU.  Gases are exhaled by a twin upswept side exit exhaust that adds to the race look.  All of the engine modifications are as per the catalogue conversion package.  This package equates to 122bhp!! the really fun part.  The SC/CR 5 speed box makes maximum use of the power available.