David Brown Automotive has launched a retro-inspired car which draws its inspiration from the classic Mini of the 1960s.

The Mini Remastered is the second model to be made by the low-volume, British-based coachbuilder.

The new car will reportedly cost around £70,000 ($86,000), considerably cheaper compared to its first model, the Speedback GT, which was inspired by the famous Aston Martin DB5 and priced at around £600,000 ($742,300).

Based on a classic Mini and reborn into a city car for modern living, Mini Remastered combines the iconic sixties car’s looks with Speedback GT design cues, unique coachbuilding construction, modern technology and luxury hand-finished materials – all hand-built at the carmaker’s new headquarters in Silverstone.

Designed to be the ultimate in modern and classic town and city driving, the car uses a range of luxurious materials and finishes to create the ultimate classic Mini. 

The first of its kind, each car is built by hand from the ground up using brand new body panels, which David Brown Automotive refines in-house to create smooth and accurate surfaces with perfect shut lines. 

The exterior shape has been refined, visually softened and ‘cleaned’ by de-seaming the silhouette and welding in bespoke structural beams, with additional support struts added for rigidity. Each car also undergoes a laborious sound-proofing process to ensure passenger comfort in the cabin.

David Brown Automotive’s design language is carried over from Speedback GT and includes custom-built aluminium grilles and a full LED exterior rear light cluster with the same jewel-like details and bezels as Speedback GT. 

Each car will have handcrafted enamel badges and modern detail touches such as puddle lights fitted to each classic bullet-style wing mirror.

The car, which is offered as standard with an in-built infotainment and navigation system, perfect for city-dwellers, has a host of modern connectivity, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker sound system, keyless-go, USB connectivity and charging, as well as push-button start and remote central locking.

The interior is beautifully designed around modern convenience and luxury. Mini Remastered offers bespoke sculpted seats with a hand-trimmed interior swathed in British-sourced hides and a combination of paint, leather and fabric finishes to the dash. Premium retro Smiths dials, an engraved Moto-Lita steering wheel with enhanced driving position, and the addition of a cup holder to the centre console make Mini Remastered one of the most luxurious classic cars ever reimagined.

The David Brown Automotive team has completely rebuilt each classic Mini engine and power is increased by up to 50 per cent more than the original unit. 

Teamed with a fully reconditioned four-speed gearbox, upgraded suspension and brakes, David Brown Automotive has also placed enormous emphasis on reliability, integrity and driving dynamics.

Not only that, bespoke built for each car is a leather-lined luggage space and a petrol tank painted in each car’s contrasting roof colour. 

Each paint finish is exceptional, with a full four-week paint process applied to every car to give it an equivalent flawless finish. Each customer can personalise their car’s exterior finish, contrasting roof, full interior trim and wheels, with the opportunity to add further options and accessories to make their Mini Remastered truly bespoke. 

Just like Speedback GT, the company will be offering customers the option of developing their very own exterior paint colour, alongside the opportunity to request other completely bespoke options.

Revealed at the fashionable Behind The Bike Shed location in Shoreditch, London, last week, Mini Remastered was showcased in three specifications – standard trim and two limited-production special editions, ‘Inspired by Café Racers’ and ‘Inspired by Monte Carlo’, each with unique interior, exterior and accessory finishes. 

Mini Remastered will be highly-exclusive and built in strictly limited numbers. Each car takes around 1,000 man hours to create, and the carmaker is reportedly planning to produce 100 Mini Remastered cars. 

“Mini Remastered by David Brown Automotive has been a long time in the making,” said company founder David Brown. “The car has been subtly transformed and updated to retain the original’s DNA, yet includes key design details from Speedback GT as you can see by the grille, taillights and interior styling, as well as providing modern comfort and luxury. However, it’s been important to remain true to Alec Issigonis’ wonderful original concept, yet bring it into the 21^st Century in our own way.

“It’s not only the design that is special, though. Powered by a fully reconditioned 1275cc engine and re-engineered gearbox, 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.”

Mini Remastered by David Brown Automotive will be launched to the public at the upcoming Top Marques Monaco show, taking place from April 20 to 23 at the Grimaldi Forum, Monte Carlo.