There have been several attempts to modernize the original classic Mini by the restomod community. In the UK, David Brown Automotive offers the Mini Remastered Oselli Edition, which features an uprated chassis and a 1,420-cc Stage 3 engine developed by Oselli producing over 100 horsepower. That may not sound like much power, but this is 40% more power than the original Mini. UK-based Swindon Powertrain also converted the original Mini into a fully electric car.

Now, a US tuner is offering a more extreme take on the original Mini. Say hello to the Super Cooper Type S. Developed by Gildred Racing based in California, the Super Cooper Type S is based on a 1974 Mini Cooper.

On the outside, it looks very familiar, but this is no ordinary 1970s Mini Cooper. Gildred Racing has ditched the Mini Cooper's original four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission and stuffed it with a 3.2-liter V6 engine from a 2003 Acura CL Type S. In the Acura CL Type S, this V6 unit originally produced 260 horsepower, which would have been a massive power boost.

But the tuner didn't stop there and added a supercharger to boost the output to 500 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque - that's 466 more hp than the regular 1974 Mini 850. Power is also now fed through a six-speed manual transmission.

Other upgrades include upgraded Wilwood brakes with four-piston forged billet callipers and 9.5-inch vented rotors, 13-inch wheels and tires, and upgraded suspension. To save weight, the interior has been stripped out and only the front seats remain. As a result, the Super Cooper S will hit 0-62 mph in under four seconds.

Inside, the Super Cooper S has been thoroughly modernized with suede and leather upholstery, heated and cooled Recaro LX Seats, a 9.7-inch Apple IPad Pro in place of an infotainment system, Alpine stereo, touch start, LED headlights, and an air conditioning system. Only ten examples of the Super Cooper S will be built, each costing $150,000.