Delivered in time for Christmas, this beautifully-restored MkII Mini Cooper S is the latest car to receive Tolman’s ‘non-invasive’ approach to improving and enhancing performance and usability.
Tolman, creator of the highly acclaimed ‘Tolman Edition’ Peugeot 205 GTi restomod, has revealed the latest customer commission to receive its treatment. The Cooper S Mk II is the smallest car Tolman has fastidiously restored and refined, making this undertaking anything but ‘Mini’.
Tolman’s now renowned approach, which seeks to create cars that look how you remember and drive as you recall they did in period, caught the attention of this Mini enthusiast. Having used the car for over a decade, he turned to Tolman to create a Mini he could enjoy as a daily driver with all the charm of the original, but with fewer of the pitfalls of a 56-year-old car.
The 12-month project began where every Tolman car does, a complete strip-out of the interior and mechanicals, in preparation for a blast back to a bare shell and significant bodywork to achieve crisp and even shut lines and panel gaps. The Mini’s hydroelastic suspension has been swapped in favour of KAD adjustable tie rods and Bilstein dampers, ensuring the Mini remains comfortable but engaging on unpredictable British backroads. Fully adjustable, it can be set up to suit its owner’s requirements – which will include domestic driving and a regular commute.
As in period for the MkII Cooper S, it retains front disc brakes with rear drums whilst ATEC CNC brake lines, proven with Tolman’s motorsport activities, provide a more consistent feel.
Rather than opting for modern, grippy rubber, the Mini wears period style 10” 145 Dunlop Aquajet tyres. With power almost doubled to 90 bhp, 80 ft/lb of torque from 3,000-6,000 rpm and weighing just 685 kg, the Mini is lively when driven hard, but also far more practical and tractable in lower gears. The team decided not to opt for a limited-slip differential – this addition would make the car snappy through turns and detract from the original experience. The same goes for the refreshed gearbox, where the four-speed configuration was retained for authenticity.
The engine has been fully rebuilt and now benefits from fuel injection, a feature that wasn’t standard on Minis until 1991. The battery box in the boot now houses the fuel system with a collector fuel pot, high-pressure pump return and lift pump seamlessly integrated. With the regulator away from the engine, only one fuel line comes into the bay, maintaining the original appearance.
A one-off Tolman stainless steel exhaust ensures a sportier ‘A-Series’ sound but has been tuned to avoid being overwhelmingly noisy. Advanced heat protection under the bonnet protects the injection system whilst sound deadening throughout the cabin keeps unwanted road noise at bay. A fully electronic engine management system improves cold starts, idle control and low oil pressure detection.
As a track car in the 80s, even sharing Silverstone with Nick Mason’s Ferrari 250 GTO, the original SU carburettors had been replaced with Webers, accommodated for in period by forming a cutout in the bulkhead using a Pratt’s Oil can. For mechanical integrity, the can was replaced with a stronger version to retain integrity and this small part of its story.
Tolman’s sympathetic approach means many original parts were retained, including the brightwork, headlining and Tartan Red with black roof paint scheme. Sumptuous leather replaces vinyl for the seats and the aftermarket Webasto sunroof has been refurbished.
Heated front and rear screens, LED lighting all round plus invisible Bluetooth integration add to the discreet but impactful upgrades to day-to-day use – as does the addition of a period-style rev counter. To combat the British weather, this Mini has received full stone chip protection coating and Lanoguard on the underside and in the cavities, combined with Supagard ceramic coating on painted surfaces.
“The Mini is already a famously fun and practical car to own, our job was to take these attributes to the next level,” explains Chris Tolman, founder of Tolman. “In keeping with our previous projects, our team’s decades of motorsports experience have not been used to create the fastest Mini possible – instead we’ve been tasked with the greater challenge of enhancing what made the car special in the first place.”
This 1968 Mini Cooper S Mk II complements Tolman’s growing catalogue of refined, enhanced models – projects which sit at the top of a growing portfolio of premium automotive products and services.
With the Mini returned to its owner in time for Christmas, Tolman now looks ahead to 2025 and more one-off commissions including two 1980s icons and four new Tolman Edition Peugeot 205 GTis in build.
Specs (Simplified):
- Engine: Rebuilt with fuel injection
- Power: 90 bhp
- Torque: 80 ft/lb
- Weight: 685 kg
- Suspension: Upgraded with KAD and Bilstein
- Brakes: Front disc, rear drum with ATEC lines
- Tyres: Period Dunlop Aquajet 10”
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general knowledge and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation for any specific vehicle.
Source: Tolman Engineering
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
