An original mini coachbuilder has returned to the industry with this collaboration featuring Ian Callum.

      Callum Design

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      Renowned car designer Ian Callum has collaborated with several major automakers, but he is presently concentrating on related projects such as rejuvenating the Aston Martin Vanquish and creating a street-legal Jaguar C-X75 concept car under his own label, Callum Designs. Today, his team unveiled a new undertaking: The Wood and Pickett Mini by Callum. Initially, I mistook it for a home restoration lifestyle brand, but I was mistaken. It is, in fact, one of the top partners for a Mini restoration project.

      Wood and Pickett, Ltd. has its roots in the 1960s, having modified original Minis to highline specifications when the small cars were just emerging. The company began in 1947 when Bill Wood and Les Pickett left their positions at another coachbuilder, Hooper & Co, to establish their own firm. The automotive industry was vastly different in that era, with ample demand for car upgrades allowing several coachbuilders to thrive. In a way, trim levels as we recognize them today were being created by small aftermarket firms rather than manufacturers. Wood and Pickett turned their attention to Minis after the Radford Mini de Ville was introduced in ’63, demonstrating that a market existed for upscale enhancements for these compact cars.

      Wood and Pickett’s unique Mini model was called the Margrave, which certainly garnered attention, as the company managed to attract several key managers from competitor Radford within a few years. The coachbuilder later expanded its offerings to include customized versions of the first-generation Range Rover and other popular British vehicles throughout the ’70s and ’80s.

      In the 1990s, ownership changes occurred, leading the brand to shift focus from coachbuilding to parts and accessories. Based on my brief research this morning, it appears that a significant milestone for Wood and Pickett occurred in 2022 when British classic car parts specialist Motaclan Limited acquired the company.

      Currently, the link to Wood and Pickett on Motaclan’s site leads to a new page dedicated to the Wood and Pickett Mini by Callum—which may represent the best way for the coachbuilder to make a resurgence. This brings us to the vehicle itself—an incredibly stylish take on the classic Mini with minimal modern enhancements and maximum elegance. Personally, I’m not usually a fan of restomods, but this design is exceptional.

      According to its promoters: “The Wood and Pickett Mini by CALLUM is a reimagining of the classic British icon. Built on a fully restored Mk5 Sportspack body shell, it features a completely bespoke design package, integrating both Wood and Pickett’s coachbuilding heritage and CALLUM’s modern design expertise.” Swipe through these images to view it from every perspective:

      The “Mk5” design was utilized by Mini from 1997 to 2001. Yes, the original Mini was still in production that recently. At first glance, distinguishing the ’60s Mini body from one produced around the turn of the millennium can be challenging, but this new Callum version should be somewhat easier to identify. Bold fender flares and aerodynamic splitters give the vehicle a significantly more aggressive appearance, while the Mini’s endearing friendliness remains intact. Auxiliary lighting in the grille and a sleek taillight design add just the right amount of modernity to the exterior without being excessive.

      In addition to all the aesthetic details visible in these images, the car will feature a “rebuilt 1310cc Stage 3 road/rally engine” complete with a performance cylinder head, twin-point injection, and a dual exhaust system. It’s expected to produce 110 brake horsepower, which should be more than sufficient to power this lightweight vehicle (an original Mini weighs under 1,500 pounds).

      Behind the wheels are 8.4-inch disc brakes and what is simply described as a “road-tuned suspension kit,” likely indicating it isn’t track-level stiff.

      The wheel design is, for me, the standout success here. The design and size (when was the last time you saw 13-inch wheels?) are absolutely spot-on and beautifully complement the overall look of the restomod.

      The interior is kept relatively simple and elegant. There’s a small DIN-style screen for infotainment, but otherwise, everything maintains a classic feel.

      Callum Designs mentioned, “No two builds will be the same; each customer will work closely with CALLUM’s design team to create a Mini that embodies their unique vision,” so it will be interesting to see the variations that emerge when these cars start appearing at car meets. They will be handcrafted in England with a “limited production run” starting at £75,000, which currently converts to about $102,000. It’s hard to predict the exact cost for one of these in America, but there’s a chance you could avoid tariffs by sneaking it into your