The Ultimate Mini Makeover: CALLUM and Wood & Pickett Reinvent a Classic Legend

 There are few cars in automotive history that evoke the same charm and cultural cachet as the classic Mini. From its humble origins as a practical city car to its emergence as a style and motorsport icon, the Mini has always held a special place in British motoring lore. Now, in a project that blends nostalgia with modernity, legendary designer Ian Callum and renowned coachbuilders Wood and Pickett have come together to deliver a masterpiece of restomod craftsmanship: the Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM. Based on the Mk5 Mini Sportspack, this thoroughly reengineered car is far more than a cosmetic refresh — it’s a complete redefinition of what a Mini can be in the 21st century. Boasting reworked aesthetics, enhanced performance, and a sumptuous cabin, the project demonstrates how even the smallest car can be a canvas for the grandest expression of automotive artistry. Each unit will be tailor-made for its owner, priced from around $100,000 (£75,000), and produced in extremely limited numbers, ensuring exclusivity and personal connection with every commission.

Mechanical Upgrades and Rally-Ready Performance

Beneath the familiar Mini silhouette lies a thoroughly transformed mechanical heart. Gone is the original powerplant, replaced with a feisty 1310 cc Stage 3 road/rally engine delivering 110 brake horsepower. This isn’t just a numbers game — the engine’s performance is deeply rooted in motorsport inspiration, utilizing a custom performance cylinder head, twin-point fuel injection, and a bespoke twin-exit exhaust with an upswept tailpipe design. These enhancements are mated to a reinforced gearbox with a retuned ECU, making the drivetrain far more robust and responsive than anything originally offered in a factory Mini. While the original car was designed in an era where compactness and efficiency were paramount, this restomod brings a newfound urgency to the driving experience. The soundtrack, courtesy of the custom twin pipes, is visceral and distinct, giving this tiny terror a voice to match its new muscular personality. Yet, it remains true to its roots — light, nimble, and eager to entertain, just as every Mini should be.

Handling Like a Modern Hot Hatch

In Callum’s vision, performance doesn’t end at the engine bay. The chassis and suspension have been fine-tuned for modern-day enthusiasm without compromising daily usability. The car sits on a specially developed road-tuned suspension kit designed to offer precision handling while absorbing imperfections typical of British B-roads. The feel through the wheel is immediate and tight, echoing the spirit of the original, but sharpened through decades of engineering advancement. Stopping power has been significantly upgraded with grooved and ventilated 8.4-inch disc brakes, ensuring confidence under heavy braking conditions. These are housed behind 13-inch Callum-designed four-spoke alloys — modern in aesthetic, yet appropriately sized to maintain the Mini’s characteristic proportions. Despite all the upgrades, the ride retains a sense of playful immediacy. There’s a subtle modern filter over the classic Mini go-kart sensation, achieving the perfect balance between heritage and innovation. For any driver who appreciates connection and feedback, this is as tactile as driving gets in the modern age.

Design Outside: Subtlety Meets Provocation

Visually, the Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM is a textbook example of design restraint meeting expressive execution. The body shell, a fully restored Mk5 Sportspack, retains its classic proportions but now boasts bespoke front and rear valances, side sills, and updated rear contours. These tweaks aren’t merely decorative — they have been engineered for improved aerodynamic balance and enhanced engine cooling. The signature finish is a proprietary Anthracite metallic tone developed by CALLUM, which drapes the car in a refined sheen that elevates it above typical retro-themed builds. Lighting has been completely reengineered, featuring custom housings with LED technology, providing both contemporary function and a hint of futuristic flair. Fog lamps have been added up front, giving the Mini an assertive, almost rally-inspired look, while the centrally mounted twin-exit exhaust gives the rear an unmistakable edge. There’s a palpable sense of mischief in the stance, with the wheels pushed far into the arches, minimizing gap and maximizing aggression. Its classic Mini proportions reinterpreted with a punkish swagger — a hot hatch aesthetic clothed in Savile Row tailoring.

Interior Excellence: Margrave Heritage Reborn

Step inside, and the transformation continues with equal measures of luxury and nostalgia. The cabin has been heavily reworked, starting with a newly designed dashboard that draws inspiration from Wood and Pickett’s “Margrave” interiors of the 1960s and 70s. Instead of kitsch retro detailing, CALLUM has opted for a fusion of past and present. The wooden fascia, likely inspired by walnut paneling, is paired with finely machined metal bezels, creating a tactile experience that feels bespoke and timeless. Central to the dashboard is a minimalistic touchscreen infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay functionality — a small yet crucial nod to modern convenience. The Piano-style switch pack and machined toggle switches add a sense of mechanical honesty and reinforce the Mini’s classic DNA. Bespoke seating, trimmed in Bridge of Weir leather, completes the transformation. David Gandy’s personal build, for example, features deep tan leather with a striking black and white central contrast, a theme that oozes sophistication without excess. The interior doesn't try to be loud; it whispers quality in every stitch and surface.

David Gandy’s Personal Statement on Wheels

The very first example of the Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM has already found a home in the garage of British supermodel and car enthusiast David Gandy. Known for his refined tastes and deep automotive passion, Gandy's choice to collaborate with Callum and Wood and Pickett speaks volumes about the car’s appeal to collectors and connoisseurs alike. His personal Mini features distinctive brown striping across the hood, roof, and tailgate, set against the signature Anthracite paintwork. Small design flourishes like a revised front grille, aerodynamic front splitter, and bespoke fog lamps set his car apart. Inside, his seat upholstery and dashboard trimmings reflect a unique blend of performance-inspired craftsmanship and tailored luxury. Gandy described the Mini as a perfect blend of attention to detail, performance, and aesthetic charm — a trifecta that will likely resonate with the global community of classic car lovers who want more than just a vintage rehash. For Gandy, this isn’t just a car — it’s a wearable expression of taste and individuality, not unlike a Savile Row suit.

A New Standard in Coachbuilt Customization

CALLUM and Wood and Pickett are positioning their Mini as more than just a high-end restomod — it’s a new benchmark in the world of bespoke coachbuilding. Every example will be unique, each customer working hand-in-hand with the design team to craft a personalized vision. No two cars will be alike. From paintwork to upholstery, from dash material to lighting accents, every inch of the Mini can be specified to reflect the owner’s style. This approach hearkens back to an era when coachbuilt vehicles were truly individual creations, rather than the result of predefined option packs. It’s this revival of personalization, combined with a precise engineering ethos, that sets the Mini apart. Unlike factory resto-kits or casual cosmetic refreshes, this car represents a curated, collaborative process — a designer's touch infused into every panel and stitch. Even small components like switchgear and pedal feel have been reconsidered from the ground up, making the ownership experience more akin to wearing a finely made watch or carrying a custom-tailored briefcase than simply driving a car.

Preserving Heritage While Embracing Tomorrow

For Ian Callum, this project is deeply personal. “The Mini is one of the most important cars ever created,” he says, “not just for its innovative engineering, but for what it represents culturally as a symbol of British ingenuity and style.” The collaboration with Wood and Pickett — themselves icons of coachbuilt Mini heritage — allowed Callum’s team to retain the spirit of the original while pushing the boundaries of what it could become. It’s easy to see this restomod as a metaphor for modern Britain: steeped in history, fiercely individual, but ready to take on the future with a renewed sense of purpose. By addressing NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) levels, upgrading the drivetrain and brakes, and adding features like Apple CarPlay and LED lighting, the team at CALLUM has ensured that the Mini is as viable a choice for the modern enthusiast as any performance hatchback — albeit one with ten times the charm. It is, in every sense, a car that celebrates what came before while boldly stepping into what comes next.

Final Thoughts: A Masterclass in Mini Motoring

The Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM is more than a nostalgia trip — it’s a rolling piece of design philosophy. It showcases what happens when experienced designers, master craftsmen, and discerning customers come together with a shared respect for legacy and a hunger for individuality. At a starting price of $100,000, it isn’t cheap, but this isn’t a car for the mass market. It’s for those who recognize the beauty in detail, the thrill in precision engineering, and the enduring appeal of a truly bespoke creation. Whether parked in a London mews or carving up mountain passes, this Mini is destined to be one of the most characterful cars on the road. With only a handful to be made, it’s likely to become an instant collectible, but more importantly, it reminds us that driving should be fun, personal, and — above all — unforgettable. In the world of reimagined classics, this might just be the one to beat.