Making the ULTIMATE Mini R52 Cooper S - 'Project PP' Ep.1 | 4K

I have been set a challenge by the guys at Podium Place in Newbury. They have given me this low mileage R52 Mini Cooper S Cabriolet and asked me to turn it into the coolest Mini Cab in the UK. I've hooked up with my mate Darren at Mulgari to pull this project together and get the car finished by the end of April to come on the Podium Tours driving tour I am going on.
In this video we introduce the car, detail the issues it has and outline our plans that include extensive work to the engine, bodywork, suspension and brakes and interior.
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Video Contents
00:00 - Introduction
00:40 - The Car
02:32 - The Engine has issues !
06:23 - Plans for the body styling
08:27 - The Exhaust
10:12 - Wheels, Suspension and Brakes
13:47 - The Interior
#PetrolPed #CarModification #MiniCooperS

[@gothicpagan.666]

The guys who gave you that car are utterly roofless.

[@PetrolPed]

Derum…Chaaa 😂

[@francoisg3500]

Evening all!! Hope everyone is doing well and has a lovely weekend.

[@PetrolPed]

You too!

[@garethenglish9412]

Can't wait to see what you do to the R52 but that sneaky shot of the GP in the background 😍

[@PetrolPed]

Had to get that in 😜

[@markrhodes3983]

Sounds like a Absolutely fantastic series. I love everything mini so I can't wait to see the programs. It sounds very interesting especially with the information on the alterations on the mini convertible 👍.

[@SWR112]

As a MINI owner we are on our fifth with a split new clubman arriving in 2021 and a hatch also on the drive factory ordered. I’ve driven with NMS ( New MINI Scotland)on driving holidays and always loved the wee touches everyone done to make the Cars more individual.

[@landroversforever]

Can't help but snigger at PP! Looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Never been that fond of the convertibles, but it's certainly got potential.

[@kevinmartin-xc4ns]

Glad to see my GP in the background 😍

[@PetrolPed]

Had to get it in 👊

[@DM-MayBee]

Wonderful and very exciting project. Cannot wait to see the progress and the finished result ..... Go PP Go

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks so much!

[@peterrosscochrane]

As others have said, this will be a really interesting series - really looking forward to it! MINI is how I discovered the channel so it’s great to see this project 👌🏻

[@PetrolPed]

Awesome, thank you!

[@johns14a]

Well this is going to be interesting. Look forward to watching the progress and seeing how it all turns out.

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@jon-mart]

Looking forward to this one, I got an R52 a few months ago and I’m loving it. They are awesome little cars.

[@PetrolPed]

Yes they are!

[@watchcommander2012]

Looking forward to watching the journey of the transformation of this mini. Great challenge considering the timeline available

[@PetrolPed]

Yeah it’s gonna be tight 😳

[@richardharrison9973]

Yellow accents, r53 petrol cap, shark fin antenna, joey mod rear and headlight, clear 3rd brake light tinted, and change the dials….😉👍

[@PetrolPed]

I like it!

[@frasermacleod7642]

Absolutely awesome Peter, really excited about Project PP. Looking forward to seeing the progress and great that you’re going to be getting stuck in yourself 😉👌🏻👍🏻

[@PetrolPed]

Fingers crossed!

[@BMW7series251]

Very, very keen to see what you do to Project PP Guys. Great video Pete. Love to the Pups & Mrs Ped, cheers, John.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@DamoDrives]

Looks like a good base to build on but as I am finding with my R53 they are an absolute money pit but I love the supercharger. Until I got mine I did not realise how small they are compared to the latter generations of Mini. Enjoy the build 🤜

[@user-ch1yy2vo9h]

Looking forward to this … nice to see you get involved with Mini again!

[@PetrolPed]

Great guys 👍

[@footey7670]

This should be a fun one mate !! Looking forward to the outcome on this one and hoping we get an idea on the budget involved too. 🍻🇨🇦👍🏻

[@lawrencegatt4515]

❤the video thanks looking 🎉for all the wonderful update. 🍾🥂🏁🇦🇺

[@henryhol8538]

Looking forward to this project! Reminds me of all the Clubman lockdown work. This of course being a lot more extreme!

[@PetrolPed]

You and me both!

[@neilbarden9430]

Great stuff. Had the six CD changer in my first R53 and never used it as I liked listening to the supercharger and exhaust more. And a cheeky guest appearance from a GP Legend. 😁

[@PetrolPed]

Thought you’d spot that 😜👍

[@TfRsmokinmasta]

Brilliant. What I came to Ped for a couple of years ago for. Will be good to get some Mini love back

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@Mruppertrinity]

Had one exactly the same as this (but in better condition) and loved it. It only made an appearance in warm/dry weather and was real fun. Sold it last August. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this.

[@PetrolPed]

Sorry to hear that 😢

[@johnbrown3951]

I am looking forward to project PP as I will always have a soft spot for Mini since selling my JCW not that I regret it or anything.

[@minischrauber2695]

Go for it! I hope to get some inspirations for my old but loved R55.

[@PetrolPed]

You should!

[@londoncentral]

I have been waiting for this all week. 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@charliew7597]

Looking forward to this series and the final car!

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@MINIstryOfSpeed01]

Great looking R52. Glad you’ll be helping to save it 👍

[@PetrolPed]

That's the plan!

[@jamesh2436]

Love this! 👏🏻

[@MiniBrothas]

Ohhhh... I'm soooo excited for this!

[@PetrolPed]

So are we 👍

[@silvermovermedia9737]

I’ve got one exactly the same low milage but a different colour, did a complete engine rebuild last year with stainless sports exhaust 16 x7.5 wheels with 5mm spacers looks and rides great just love it

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@ElTurfStuff]

This looks like a serious bit of fun will be had.

[@PetrolPed]

Let’s hope so 👍

[@danielheathcote5625]

This is going to be really interesting to watch as a series! Can’t wait to see what you do?1

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@ginggur17]

Remember the Minis for my youth, straight through a Cherry Bomb down the centre, oh, those were the days. 🤣👍👍👍

[@kevinphillips9408]

Looking forward to this project.

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@alasdairwilson4806]

Interesting project.Looking forward to seeing what you do to the car.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@jonathanreed2245]

Really looking forward to see the outcome , should be a cool looking R52.

[@PetrolPed]

Let’s hope so 👍

[@rebelranter]

Looking forward to titillate!I have 2 x R53, a Cooper S (with lots of goodies, Milltek, Airtec, pulley, K&N, brake upgrade, etc.) and a GP1. Great idea for a series!

[@PetrolPed]

Very nice!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Looking forward to this, it should be a fun little project.

[@PetrolPed]

Should be 👍

[@TomJoeSHOW]

brand new to the mini ownership club (r56)! have been watching all your videos for inspriation glad to see new mini content coming out.

[@PetrolPed]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@mayhem035]

Cool project and collab!👍

[@PetrolPed]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@greggdavies5827]

Superb, we have a dark silver Cooper S from new - 2006 - in the family. Love it. Really interested in this... May well follow in your footsteps, I've been toying with ideas for it, but it's too nice!! 👍

[@PetrolPed]

Go for it!

[@bizzie1956]

Great project Ped good luck

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@cliftonmcintosh6193]

Nice one ready to see what you do with the car 🚗

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@waynemetalart3591]

Cool project guys

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks 👍

[@kayceaz]

This will be exciting to follow

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@philiplindley7384]

It's massive that you get the opportunity to do this sort of stuff, stuff I could only dream of when I was younger. Quite jealous, even in my dotage?!

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks Philip 👍

[@1BLUEMEANIE]

🍿Interesting ! this will be an epic build And Pete with oily hands🤲🏿

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@mrmawson2438]

This will be fun guys

[@PetrolPed]

Yep 👍

[@GenaF]

Wooohoooo! I'm back for this! I also have an R52 but it's just the Cooper so no supercharger. I still have my 2020 F56 Cooper S as well. So excited for this 😂

[@GenaF]

Can't believe you are taking those wheels off it. I ❤ them.

[@PetrolPed]

Welcome back 👍

[@garyrendle535]

Brilliant! More Mini content! It’s what brought me to the channel in the first place. Love all the other stuff too, but really looking forward to this. And when are you getting an f56 track day car Pete? If Joe can have his M2…….. Tell Mrs. P “It’s for content! “ LOL ;-)

[@PetrolPed]

😬 Would love one 👍

[@retrostu1]

I’ve been giving some serious consideration to picking up an R53 Cooper S for a while now… love that original shape, and that supercharger whine 👌🏻

[@PetrolPed]

Good choice!

[@guyspooner4580]

I couldn’t agree more. They nailed the shape and driving experience right from the start. Everything later was a slightly bloated dilution. I’ll never sell mine (pale metallic blue, white roof and mirrors first owner) because it’s the one of those cases where the original was hands down the best model they produced. From what I can tell, the market agrees

[@retrostu1]

@@guyspooner4580 I can see why you’d want to keep it. Very jealous here 😁👌🏻. I have an F56 Cooper S at the moment, and I do like the way it drives and the tech that comes with it. But you can’t beat the proportions of that original shape. I will have to pick one up for myself 🤣

[@dangreasley7934]

Very interested to see how this project progresses in its entirety. You be careful Pedro getting your hands dirty! Cheers

[@PetrolPed]

Will do!

[@philipparkes5682]

Hi Ped Good teaser to what looks to be a very interesting project👍 Will look forward to next episode. This takes me back to mid 60’s with my 850 Mini. Decided to modify on very slim budget-new inlet and exhaust manifolds, 1”1/2”SU, straight through exhaust, 4”1/2” cooper S rims and new Tyres. On completion entered my very first competitive event- “Motoring News” driving test (Autosolo) .Won first in class & FTD on final test against all comers, Mini Coopers, Healeys E Type to name a few. Tyres only 4 days old had to be replaced on my way to work on Monday morning.😂😂

[@PetrolPed]

Nice 👌

[@guyspooner4580]

Ped, I have a Chichester-based R53 (first owner) which I take to Mini Works UK in Bosham. Total Mini enthusiasts, honest and knowledgeable. Might be worth you paying a visit to say hi, and maybe some mini related content?

[@PetrolPed]

Jack has serviced my Mini for the last 3 years. Great guy 👍

[@paulcarrington6254]

Those wheels would look super cool on my log splitter 😉👍

[@paulyoung-td4zx]

Really looking forward to seeing the final result! We had a 56 plate JCW CONVERTIBLE with Recaros and colour coded. Unfortunately we let her go. We're looking to buy one if we can , if not cooper S . Love to know budget. Can't wait 😀😀👍

[@PetrolPed]

The budget is sufficient to make her look awesome 👍

[@FozzAndFriends]

I got 07 r52s auto I had 3 years so this shud be fun

[@RevoHQ]

Great video, Ped!❤

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks guys. I need to come and visit again soon 👍

[@RevoHQ]

@@PetrolPed 100%! We've got some exciting bits for you ☺

[@blackkeymaestro]

I'm in the middle of an R52 W11 engine swap, melted a piston about 3 weeks ago (possible lean condition due to fuel delivery problem, still "debugging" it 🤣). Happened after I had made all the mods I wanted to do 🤣. Will definitely be watching and see what these guys end up doing! My mods: R56 JCW BBK + rear trailing arms + coilovers & swift lowering springs + powerflex bushings everywhere. JCW tune + 380cc injectors & cold plugs + 17% SC + 2% CS red. pulleys + M7 CAI. LED lights everywhere and bunch of other interior touches. Love my car, hope I can get it back up and running better and stronger!

[@PetrolPed]

Sounds awesome 👍

[@Russell_G]

Oooh Mini!! This gonna be great, Love a Mini build, lucky there is a deadline as we don't want another Binky! (Sorry BOM)

[@PetrolPed]

Yeah exactly 😜👍

[@stevemelling8450]

Evening waited for this video to drop

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@britishminiclub]

Can’t wait to see this. A few ideas .. Lambo doors like Vince Wongs MINI would be very different. A turbo with the supercharger and a Martini wrap 👍👍Plus the JCW pro exhaust. But then that’s not a sleeper 😊

[@PetrolPed]

That would be cool!

[@HQBProductions]

So…you are building a new “Wood & Pickett” Mini then!! Cue Peter Sellars!! It will be interesting to see the job and how it works out. I think you need an Alpine or Naim audio system, beautiful seats but not in boring old black..total colour change required! Think Mini Bentley GTC in miniature. Performance +20% with luck and transformed brakes with sharp handing and a greatly improved ride…but will it all happen like??…surprises in store I suspect! 😎😎😎😎Richard.

[@davelee8684]

My favourite wheels I’ve been looking for everywhere for my R58 coupe!!!! If you are getting rid I’ll happily re home them for you please!!!!

[@PetrolPed]

OK 👍

[@TheCurlyP]

Oh nice! Don't chuck those seat's unless you have to, the full leathers go all loose and baggy, so long as its just mold someone will take them :)

[@PetrolPed]

Already had offers 👍

[@georgedaville4662]

This looks like a tasty project Ped. I am particularly interested in what the engine looks like when it is stripped. Can the car not be converted to manual transmission? Maybe so if a replacement engine is needed? Great content👍😎

[@neils1643]

You could look at getting some of the interior trim hydro dipped to create a unique look. Also its an interesting process for a video.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks for the idea 👍

[@georgemalek5068]

Can’t wait to see this transformation. If you had time and the budget. Manual swap it !

[@PetrolPed]

That’s one mod too far 😜😂

[@chrisbelgrade7902]

Cool beans 😎

[@CASFAN]

Looking forward to this. I must admit that when you mentioned that the engine was in a sorry state, it seemed like a great candidate for a Vintage Voltage style conversion. I appreciate that it’s not really ‘vintage’ though 😂.

[@PetrolPed]

Too new 👎

[@CASFAN]

@@PetrolPed Hi Pete, yes wasn’t meaning for the show, more just an electrification of the car.

[@patrickflanagan8008]

Looks like Pete's manicure is in for a bashing :)........only joking, but can't wait to see how Project PP turns out. Great stuff.

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@librtyhair]

about time

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@spannerdog123]

Set it up so when you drive from Lavant to South Harting you come back with the biggest smile on your face!

[@PetrolPed]

Oh yes 🙌

[@obsessionmini5646]

Great project. I'm looking forward to this! The skip you kept mentioning - Can you tell me where it is please, so that I can come and extract the factory parts to bolt on my R53! 😁

[@PetrolPed]

LOL 😂

[@ginggur17]

Hello pal, well, thanks to Two cars going poorly, Ilfracombe isn’t happening, so positive is that I can catch up with ya. Wheel bearing on the Allroad and front spring on the Beemer 😱😱😱😨😨😨😥😥😥

[@sandygarage3802]

I've seen some Mini's on KZbin with either a K24 or K20 Honda swap, there was one with 550+bhp. I'd be interested to see a comparison/battle with Ruby when the project is complete.

[@Lookbusybuddy]

The convertible has a proper mini boot based on the original saloon design. Would like to convert a hatch to a saloon style.

[@nirodha7028]

What would be cool: If you raffle off the car when it’s done and I win it 🎉😂 Awesome content fellas! Looking forward to this. So happy you are doing a whole series with MINI content Ped. It’s why I found your channel in the first place! Mulgari does crazy cool stuff so looking forward to what you guys will make of this. I have high expectations :-)

[@PetrolPed]

Not sure the owner would be too happy with that 😂😂😂

[@nirodha7028]

@@PetrolPed hahahaha… Yeah… must be paying a Ped Load for all those upgrades 😂👍🏻

[@guylambrechts2303]

Look forward to see the entire series. Will Evolve deliver their wonderful inlet box? I would relocate the battery to the side and build a strait central exhaust. I get the feeling this series will inspire me to spend way too much money on my own mini...

[@PetrolPed]

Inspiration coming your way. Wait till you see what we have planned for the exhaust 😬👍

[@gmpbuilder]

Thank God you haven't forgotten about us.

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@lewishunter]

Evening all, looking forward to this little project, although one thing I didn’t hear mentioned was Mud Flaps??🤔😂🤪👍

[@PetrolPed]

Now you are talking 👍

[@themulgariwizard]

Mudflaps are banned on this build I'm afraid 😉😁

[@lewishunter]

@@themulgariwizard you know Pete loves a good Mud Flap! 😂😂

[@themulgariwizard]

🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️😬

[@timvanrooyen]

Car has The Italian Job Kit on it. Spoilers front rear and wheels.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

As a former owner of a BMW 2002 from 1970 and 1972, they had a sharp bend just before the end, which rusted, and at one time, fell off, a long way from home, so it heated the body around!!! I could imagine that this also will do that?

[@mpicanza4491]

Maybe remove the rear seat completely to accommodate a set of 4 track day wheels in a cool mounting cage??

[@PetrolPed]

👍

[@limeyled]

What about that power soft top? Anything you can do to improve long-term reliability?

[@stephenchalmers4858]

Wish I still had my 1969 1275 Mini Copper S

[@PetrolPed]

I bet you do 😮

[@ForjellH]

Awesome. New mini stuff yay. But I’m gonna be the one who asks, what happened to Charlie and Ruby?

[@PetrolPed]

Charlie got written off by a log and I still have Ruby 👍

[@smurph1962]

Evening All tgippf😊🎉

[@PetrolPed]

Hi 👋

[@samuelhall2397]

Yessssss

[@steveburland624]

Looking forward to critique your mechanical skills and and modifying taste .😉😁

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@carlstevens3850]

Nice content matey, do you think this may be at Gravity NEC in August? C

[@PetrolPed]

Could be 👍

[@rufio2]

Those BBS wheels would fetch a good price on an owners group - 500gbp easily

[@garrymatthews4430]

This looks like an awesome challenge and it will be good to see you getting your hands dirty, well gloves I suppose. Please no mud flaps🙈

[@PetrolPed]

You never know 🤔😂

[@brianiswrong]

An honest breakdown of the project costs would be helpful for us who ,who also have to go to garages and pay proper labour charges.👍

[@PetrolPed]

Great point!

[@cagueradebou6456]

Great project! i can't wait for see the mods, and th result. I have tree Minis (all with mods), r56 S, classic and a r52, and the r52 is the most fun to drive, by te large. In my opinion, the best Mini generation considerint the pleasure to drive. Please, get off the ugly rear bumper 😂

[@grahamwest1079]

Great project, PP in overalls is both worrying and exciting but sure there will be some careful over watching. Roll cage please.

[@PetrolPed]

Darren will sort me out 😂

[@edmundhayes1840]

Water ingress? Is this car a Rufford Ford victim? Looking forward to the series!

[@PetrolPed]

😂😂😂

[@AutisticCarEnthusiast]

Feel free to throw those wheels in a skip at my house . I realise they won’t be fit for purpose but just happen to be my favourite oem mini wheel

[@PetrolPed]

😜👋

[@davidbryant5881]

Colour coded front splitter side skirts

[@PetrolPed]

👍