Sometimes the best automotive collaborations take place when heritage meets fresh perspective. The Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM represents exactly that—a revival of one of Britain’s most storied coachbuilding names through the lens of Ian Callum’s contemporary design mastery. While the restomod market has become crowded with predictable builds, this partnership digs deeper into automotive history to resurrect the original Wood & Pickett Margraves, a retro Mini custom that became an icon of Swingin’ London.
A Legacy Worth Reviving
The Wood & Pickett story begins in 1947 when Bill Wood and Les Pickett left Hooper & Co to establish their own coachbuilding operation. By the 1960s, they’d found their calling in transforming humble Minis into luxury cars for the likes of Mick Jagger and Elton John. Their Margrave variant featured full Connolly leather interiors, walnut fascias, and mechanical upgrades that elevated the regular ol’ Mini into something more sophisticated.
What made Wood & Pickett special was both their craftsmanship and understanding that luxury doesn’t need to be large as a prerequisite. While other coachbuilders focused on Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, Wood & Pickett proved that a tiny British icon could carry the same level of bespoke artistry. Callum’s approach with the 2025 revival was to tap into that philosophy for its design, where every detail serves both aesthetic and functional purposes.
Modern Interpretation, Classic Soul
Built on a fully restored Mk5 Sportspack body shell (the final iteration before Mini production ended in 2001), this collaboration respects the original while adding contemporary touches. The bespoke Anthracite metal finish goes through Callum’s proprietary process, creating way more depth than a standard paint job. Those signature Wood & Pickett arches are nostalgic callbacks that just so happen to accommodate the car’s wider stance and improved cooling requirements.
The front and rear valances, along with redesigned side sills, improve aerodynamics. Meanwhile, 13-inch alloy wheels bridge the gap between period-correct sizing and modern-day wheel design. The new LED lighting housings also add an assertive modernity.
Where Heritage Meets Performance
Under the hood sits a rebuilt 1310cc Stage 3 engine producing 109hp, which is nearly double the original’s output. The performance cylinder head, twin-point injection, and retuned ECU transform this from a commuter darling into something that can actually move quickly. It’s all paired with a re-engineered gearbox and a twin-exit exhaust system.
Chassis upgrades include road-tuned suspension components and improved brakes with vented 8.4-inch discs providing modern stopping power and handling dynamics. Improvements to noise, vibration, and harshness were also a point of emphasis.
The Highlights Are All Inside
Inside, the newly designed dashboard draws inspiration from Wood & Pickett’s legendary Margrave interiors while incorporating modern elements like USB charging and a discreetly integrated infotainment display. The unique “Piano” switch pack and finely finished metal bezels elevate the tactile experience in a way you just won’t find in other compact cars.
Bespoke Callum-trimmed seats, upholstered in gorgeous Tan Bridge of Weir leather, are arguably the vehicle’s most luxurious feature. This even extends to the rear bench, along with the premium carpeting and improved soundproofing materials.
One-of-One Specificity
Each Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM gets hand-built in the UK with extensive customer collaboration. No two examples will be identical and buyers work directly with Callum’s design team to create something specific and unique. This approach mirrors the original Wood & Pickett philosophy, where personalization was the entire point.
Spec Sheet
Model: Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM
Base: Restored Mk5 Sportspack body shell
Engine: 1310cc Stage 3 road/rally engine
Power: 109hp
Transmission: Re-engineered 5-speed manual
Brakes: Vented and grooved 8.4″ discs
Wheels: Custom 13″ alloy wheels by CALLUM
Interior: Tan Bridge of Weir leather, bespoke dashboard
Exterior: Anthracite metal finish, Wood & Pickett arches
Availability: Hand-built to order
Pricing & Availability
Starting at £75,000 (approximately $102,000), the Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM doesn’t come cheap. However, each example gets built to order in the UK, with customers working directly with Callum’s team to specify their ideal configuration.
Recap
Wood & Pickett Mini by CALLUM
Callum brings back the Wood & Pickett Mini customs that became a coveted icon during the ’60s. Starting at about $100k, each example is built to order and completely unique.
