This is one of those cool discusions that can go on for ever.
One of the things in my mind that make the old britsh cars so great, is the people who designed and built them, and the attitudes and philosophys of the companys they worked for.
Its what make the MGTF a delicate little sports car, and the TR6 a more grunty handfull. OR the P6 Rover a technical experiment that succeded (but looked ugly) and the Triump 2500TC A perfect combination of new and old tech. (disc brakes, independant rear suspension, all alloy gearbox, but old style overdrive instead of 5spd and an engine from the early 50s)
After BL got involved not only did the people change, but the company philosopy changed, the whole motivation behind the cars was lost.
Unless that can be ressurected (And I believe Honda has some of the right attitudes and produce's cars with a similar spirit, e.g. my 160hp 1600cc Civic, or the old S600 or the new S2000) then anything more is just badge enginering. Iv yet to see a new Mini in the flesh, and I will do my best to drive one, but I get the feeling its really nothing more than a Brillant marketing exercise, and an appeal to nostalga, much like the new Beattle.
There is a certain asthetics behind a car, and it would be quite a challange to recreate that, once it is lost.