My ignorance is showing.

 

A nifty contraction for "just a Cooper" (i.e., the MINI Cooper; a non-supercharged or non-turbocharged MINI).

Some use this a a term of endearment. Others are actually offended by its use. C'est la vie.

 

It's used to refer to a non-S MINI. This is as opposed to "base", as there is no such thing as a "base" MINI (other than one that does not have any options, and this can be either an S or a non-S).

 

At least you waited 2 yrs before asking the question.

 

I understand now the correct term for the normally aspirated traditional MINI is STRAIGHT Cooper.
Thank you very much. (say with Elvis voice.)

 

Hi! I'm a Straight Base Non-Turbo "Justa" Cooper with a few "tats" and "bling." (AKA: "Poser" , until my first track day that is...)



It's nice to meet you. Please don't discriminate against me.

 

Oh H*LL no you didn't. ROTFLMAO. Have fun at the track and don't fry your brakes too fast.

OP, this kind contributor has captured the essence of the "Justa" which is the exuberance that transcends mere horsepower.

Speaking as a recovering addict from a Works R53 now comfortably ensconced in an incredibly agile and amusing "Justa".

A subculture within a cult - pretty heady stuff.

Thanks for asking.

Charlie

 

Justa = non-S or non-JCW. Pro tip - the Canucks call it a "Cooper Classic" because that's how MINI markets Justas to our Northern friends. I had to figure that one out on my own.

 

for discussion, I use the term 'justa' and mean no foul. When I first test drove a 2002 back in the day I really didn't see that much difference 'tween the S and the justa, but I managed to sneak a heck of a deal on an S (unheard of back then) so ended up with one.

But I also have a 'classic' that I show .... and 9 out of 10 people who comment on the car mention "cool Cooper" ..... even tho I have a sign in the window that says

Austin Morris Mini Saloon 1000
Not a Cooper

My 79 is a 'justa' and I'm proud of it.

and btw any one who calls a 79 a Cooper doesn't know their Minis since the 'true' Cooper and S were only produced from 61 thru 71 and less than 3% of the cars made in those years were Cooper/S. . . . in 1979 there was NO Cooper model altho Rover did re-introduce a badged model later on . . .

I even know a guy who had one of the very few Gen1 Justa JCW's ..... YES they did make one.

Nuthin' wrong with a Justa

 

A tempest in a teapot - every one. I'm in love.

 

... as opposed to what... a metroSexual Cooper ?

 

as opposed to a blown Cooper of course, what was your point?

Cheers,

Charlie

 

John, if the MINI doesn't have a scoop on the front, and has one exhaust tip off to the side, instead of two in the middle, then it is a straight Cooper. A scoop means either a supercharger or a turbo under the hood. The single exhaust is also exclusive to the straight Cooper. Which is why straight Coopers can have a spare tire... because in an S, the twin exhaust pipes run right through the area where the spare would go.

So, no scoop and single offset exhaust = straight (naturally aspirated) Cooper

Scoop and twin exhause = supercharger or turbo, in other words, an S

We have two 'Justas' and love them. Dependable, good gas mileage, cooler running, less maintenance cost... and we keep up pretty darned well in the twisties, where it counts.

 

"the essence of the "Justa" which is the exuberance that transcends mere horsepower."

Joanie you make my point!

 

Hope no winners circle milk came out your nose! I toyed with "JUSTA GT", but THAT would be taking it too far.

By the way, just received my World Challenge Official 2013 FanGuide with my Grassroots Motorsports subscription. There's a few Mini's in there and some are hot track Justa's. Thumbing through it I see:

1) World Challenge Car: Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works. Class: Touring Car (with specs).

2) World Challenge Car: Mini Cooper (Justa!). Class: TCB (with specs)

3) Why just watch a B-Spec Mini racing? (full page Justa!) Here's is a Mini solution (how to B-Spec, with goodies outlined)

Driver Profiles:
4) Alain Lauziere - Touring Car #47 ("S" - JCW Team)
5) Scott Kuhne - Touring Car B-Spec #24 (Justa!)
6) Ed Magner - Touring Car B-Spec #48 (Justa!)

Hope I didn't miss anybody. Wish I had the time, money and experience to play in the B-Spec class. Hoping to give H-Stock a try some day...

The Justa, "A subculture within a cult - pretty heady stuff." Love it!

 

Drifting off topic, I know, but I used to have a Justa Convertible and in fast road use (the Dragon is an interstate compared to many country roads around here...) I found the brakes to be mediocre but liveable-with. I can imagine that track use might overwhelm them.

Now I've got a (Yurpeen-only) SD Roadster which despite having more torque than a JCW, only gets Justa brakes not S brakes. Factor in that a diesel doesn't have anything like as much engine compression braking as a petrol/gas engine and the brakes are a real problem.

But there is an ever-so-simple upgrade for R56 Justa brakes, which is to fit R56 S brake discs and pads. The caliper is the same on both cars and just needs the caliper brackets for an S model. The hydraulics don't get touched and the work is no more than replacing pads and discs - 60 minutes for the first one and 20 minutes for the second one, easy. Cost is about $500 at the dealer for OEM disc/pads/brackets/wear sensor (parts only).

 

Just for clarification, "classic" should only be used to refer to the original Minis, which were made from 1959-2000 (I believe). They are significantly smaller than the current ones. Also note that a classic is spelled "Mini" (with only the first letter capitalized), while the newer ones made by BMW are spelled "MINI" (in all caps). And yes, as previously mentioned, a "Justa" does not have forced induction and also has only a single exhaust.

Justas are quite capable cars. Realistically, the only thing that differentiates them from an S is straight line acceleration. In situations that involve handling skills, a non-S can definitely hold its own against an S, and may even have an advantage, without the additional torque steer.

 

Perfect color combination and accents.

 

Charlie, I missed your post, and just read it. When you say "OP, this kind contributor has captured the essence of the "Justa" which is the exuberance that transcends mere horsepower.

Speaking as a recovering addict from a Works R53 now comfortably ensconced in an incredibly agile and amusing "Justa".

A subculture within a cult - pretty heady stuff", you are absolutely right. The biggest lack that I have found when running the twisties with the boosted cars in my club, is my own lack of driving skill. My Winnie can run faster than I can drive her, in almost all cases. A few little tweaks, and she will be even better.

Justas are great cars, I wouldn't have anything else, and neither would my hubby. What they lack in horsepower, they make up in heart. Don't be afraid to push them, and they will surprise you.

 

I surely agree - here's one of those silly little pedal cars at the Dover Mid-Atlantic Championships. Now that is not boring, right?


Cheers,

Charlie

 

It's "Justa" perfect specification of car for me!

 

Partially true - the Cooper Classic was a price leader/stripper trim level of the regular Cooper. It was only available in non-metallic colours, with less standard equipment and a very short options list. Replaced now by the "Knightsbridge" package on the Cooper.

My first Mini was a Justa. Great all-around car.

 

I dig those wheels. What are they?

 

I'm almost in your club. I transitioned late last year from a '11 R56 MCS to a '13 MC Roadster and couldn't be happier. It is the favorite of all three of the MINIs I've owned. IMHO, the continuously sloping, graceful surface of the unbroken bonnet in combination with the JCW Aero trim on a red Roadster is the epitome of the 2nd Gen design. From the front, it just can't be beat.

 

looks like the Audi TT to me . .