Author Topic: Weeny Issi (Read 7997 times)

TheHire · « **on:** February 18, 2022, 03:18:27 pm »

So, this followed me home yesterday, and Mrs. Hire says I can keep it.

It's a '96 Rover Mini Cooper with 20,000 original kilometres on it. It's just been imported from Japan in January, and has never previously been plated in North America. Have a stack of records, and it's got the the 1,275cc engine with fuel injection and air conditioning. The thing is mint. I just took the black plastic wheel arches to have them painted to match the factory Flame Red paint job.

Going to be getting some Mini Lite 12" wheels on it too, if I can find any 155-70R12 tires. Might be sweet to tool around with for a year or two and then sell.

Fobroader · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:21:51 pm »

Frick is that thing cool!!! Awesome purchase

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:23:50 pm »

Cool! I love how small and unique those old Minis are. The guys at mighty car mods swapped a Honda civic type R engine into it (old none turbo one) and that certainly made it scoot. Would be a great promotional vehicle as I'm sure it'll get attention.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:25:16 pm »

Nice! I used to drive a cargo version back in England. Find some nice (smooth) windy roads and go full go kart

ChaosphereIX · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:28:02 pm »

super cool

TheHire · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:32:31 pm »

It's neat! I've only driven it into the parking lot and into the back of the shop (it arrived via flatbed), so haven't garnered any real impressions yet. Will definitely offer up test drives to you guys in the spring!

I feel like I should host a cars and coffee for the forum at the office. HannibalSmith and Firm can fire up the BBQ!

EV Dan · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:32:59 pm »

Completely unexpected. Are you gonna reverse into drive throughs now?

ChaosphereIX · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2022, 04:03:49 pm »

A cars and coffee would be a fantastic idea. I would be there in a flash with the fam in the big cat.

Dante · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2022, 04:14:52 pm »

Awesome little car....C&C idea would be great too...

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2022, 04:21:01 pm »

Quote from: ChaosphereIX on February 18, 2022, 04:03:49 pm

A cars and coffee would be a fantastic idea. I would be there in a flash with the fam in the big cat.

The Jag and the Mini side by side would be an interesting Brit car comparison!

Brig · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2022, 04:21:05 pm »

Adorable!!! What a great find.

Shorlaw · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2022, 04:27:57 pm »

That’s really cool!

revalations · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2022, 04:29:37 pm »

Awesome! Love it, I bet it’s a blast to drive too.

KD · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2022, 04:29:51 pm »

Wonderful! Love the original mini and one of my all time favorites. Great find!

Firm · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2022, 04:48:21 pm »

First time I am noticing the dash - looks really nice, I don't recall seeing many of these later model original mini's, but I like some of the modernizations over the old (60's) units I am used to seeing. The car does look to be in great shape!

BWII · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2022, 05:10:13 pm »

Now if only they could be found like that in LHD.

Nice find anyway.

TheHire · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2022, 05:24:27 pm »

Quote from: BWII on February 18, 2022, 05:10:13 pm

Now if only they could be found like that in LHD.

Nice find anyway.

They actually can! They made some like they for the North American market, but they’re mostly all rusty. No one thought to preserve them. There are a few left in German and French markets too, but the way to go is Japan if you care about mint preservation.

Gurgie · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2022, 09:17:37 pm »

Quote from: ChaosphereIX on February 18, 2022, 04:03:49 pm

A cars and coffee would be a fantastic idea. I would be there in a flash with the fam in the big cat.

I'd be ahead of you in the AMG topless..

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

TheHire · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2022, 12:14:44 am »

Quote from: Gurgie on February 18, 2022, 09:17:37 pm

Quote from: ChaosphereIX on February 18, 2022, 04:03:49 pm
A cars and coffee would be a fantastic idea. I would be there in a flash with the fam in the big cat.
I'd be ahead of you in the AMG topless..

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

It would mark the first time ever that both an AMG and a V8 Jag would be at the shop and I would go home with no more money than I left with!

BWII · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2022, 01:11:17 am »

Quote from: TheHire on February 18, 2022, 05:24:27 pm

Quote from: BWII on February 18, 2022, 05:10:13 pm
Now if only they could be found like that in LHD.

Nice find anyway.

They actually can! They made some like they for the North American market, but they’re mostly all rusty. No one thought to preserve them. There are a few left in German and French markets too, but the way to go is Japan if you care about mint preservation.

Should be an easy enough LHD conversion, right? Right??

A couple bolts here, a few nuts there...voila! You've got a mini with the wheel on the right...I mean left...side, a VMax 1600 engine in the back...and you're gold!