When heritage meets vision, the result can be more than nostalgia – it can be reinvention. The new Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM is a testament to this, reviving a British coachbuilding icon through the eyes of Ian Callum, one of the most celebrated automotive designers of our time. In a restomod world saturated with flashy builds and surface-level tweaks, this collaboration brings genuine substance by drawing from an era when craftsmanship defined prestige.
The original Wood & Pickett story dates back to 1947, when Bill Wood and Les Pickett broke away from Hooper & Co to launch a new era of bespoke automotive work. By the 1960s, their signature builds – especially the Margrave Minis – became rolling statements of British cool, tailored for rock stars and socialites. Full Connolly leather interiors, polished walnut fascias, and mechanical enhancements transformed the humble Mini into a handcrafted object of desire. That vision forms the blueprint for what CALLUM has done in 2025.
This modern Margrave tribute begins with a Mk5 Sportspack body shell, the last of the classic Mini generations before production ended in 2001. Every panel is restored, refined, and painted in Anthracite metallic through a multi-stage process exclusive to CALLUM. Visually, the car stays grounded in the original aesthetic, right down to the signature Wood & Pickett arches – only now they serve practical roles, improving stance and airflow.
It’s not just about the look. The Mini’s performance is taken seriously, with a re-engineered 1310cc Stage 3 engine pushing 109 horsepower – nearly twice the output of the original. Twin-point injection, performance heads, and a remapped ECU give the car real urgency. A new gearbox and twin-exit exhaust follow suit, giving the car a livelier, more responsive feel. The chassis benefits too: uprated suspension, vented 8.4-inch discs, and enhanced NVH insulation bring the Mini into the modern era without losing its soul.
Interior upgrades are where the legacy truly shines. The dash channels classic Margrave design but integrates a hidden infotainment screen and USB ports. The switchgear – nicknamed the “Piano” pack – features custom metal bezels and satisfies the tactile itch that modern cars often ignore. Bridge of Weir Tan leather wraps bespoke seats, extending even to the rear bench, while premium carpeting and soundproofing elevate cabin comfort.
Perhaps most impressive is how these cars are made. Each Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM is hand-built in the UK with direct input from the buyer. No two are alike. This isn’t a factory-run limited edition – it’s a personalized build, echoing the bespoke spirit that made Wood & Pickett a name whispered in elite automotive circles decades ago.
With a starting price of £75,000, it’s a serious investment for a small car. But this isn’t just a Mini – it’s a handcrafted tribute to British ingenuity and a rolling expression of individuality. In a world of copy-paste luxury, that still counts for something. And don’t forget to chek our list of the most beautiful cars ever.
