“Most people buy a Mini Cooper for cute factor. Joseph Starnes bought his for gas mileage. What he got instead was a supercharged addiction that turned his $5,000 Facebook find into Georgia’s most unexpected track weapon.”
Owner: Joseph Starnes
From: Hawkinsville, Georgia
Year/Make/Model: 2005 Mini Cooper S Cabriolet
Nickname: Cooper Trooper
FOLLOW JOSEPH ON INSTAGRAM.
What started as a practical purchase quickly transformed into something much bigger. After a few weeks behind the wheel, Joseph realized he had more than just a commuter car—he had a hidden gem with serious performance potential. “This little car packs a punch with the right bolt-ons,” he says. “Before I knew it, I was slowly building it into a track and corner-dominating machine.”
As the upgrades piled on, so did the connection. The Mini wasn’t just transportation anymore—it became part of Joseph’s life and part of his family’s story. He and his kids began working on it together, eventually taking the Cooper Trooper to shows across Georgia. At their very first event in Atlanta, Joseph and his son proudly brought home a trophy: Best of Show Modified Modern Classic.
“It was wild,” Joseph says. “People flocked to the car because there wasn’t anything else like it. Literally the only lowered Mini Cooper at the show.”
| MODIFICATIONS | |
| Performance Modifications ALTA cold air intake Craven speed 15% supercharger pulley Resonator delete NGK hot plugs Detroit-tuned bypass valve RECARO carbon fiber short throw shifter Ported and polished cylinder head 4-to-1 shorty headers | Interior Modifications MOMO trek flat bottom steering wheel NRG shorty hub NRG quick release Recaro short shifter carbon knob Recaro shift boot Passenger entertainment screen Apple CarPlay |
| Exterior Modifications HID headlights Union jack taillights JNC BBS style rims 16in kumo 205/45 r16 1-inch lowering springs | Audio Modifications Harman Kardon audio system JBL passenger dash-mounted entertainment screen Apple CarPlay 8in harmon kardon flat mounted subwoofer |
| Wheel and Tire Modifications JNC 16-in BBS reps 205/45 r16 | Suspension Modifications 1 in lowering springs by way of motorworks |
Why He Loves It
Ask Joseph what makes his Mini special, and he’ll grin: “The smiles I get everywhere I go. People just love seeing something outside the box.” But his personal favorite? The supercharger. “The whine is mesmerizing. When you get on it, this thing screams.”
SPONSOR SHOUT-OUTS
Alta Performance, Craven speed , and Momo racing for providing the gear to make this build possible.
What’s Next?
Joseph isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Currently, he’s installing a 3P air ride system, aiming to tuck a set of BBS-style rims neatly under the fenders. Plans also include proper bucket seats and a more aggressive aero kit with a splitter. “The goal is to set it on the ground and make it stand out even more.”
Hell Kitten
Of course, every great build comes with stories and one of Joseph’s favorites happened at a local show in Warner Robins, GA. “As I was loading up, a Trackhawk next to me started chirping his supercharger. Me being me, I went whine-for-whine with him. The crowd loved it phones out, people cheering. That day, someone nicknamed my Mini the ‘Hell Kitten.’ And honestly, I couldn’t think of a better name.”
For Joseph Starnes and his Cooper Trooper, what began as a simple commuter has grown into a family project, a show-stopping head-turner, and a car with a personality as big as its supercharger scream.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a Reply