Description
GENERAL INFO
The original Mini is considered an icon of 1960s British popular culture. Its space-saving transverse engine and front-wheel drive layout allowing 80% of the area of the car's floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage influenced a generation of car makers In 1999, the Mini was voted the second-most influential car of the 20th century, behind the Ford Model T, and ahead of the Citroën DS (also in stock) and Volkswagen Beetle The front-wheel-drive, transverse-engine layout of the Mini was copied for other "supermini" designs.
This distinctive two-door car was designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis. It was manufactured at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in England, and many other locations around the world – with ours being a Longbridge production.
The performance versions, the Mini Cooper and Cooper "S", were successful as both race and rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965, and 1967. In 1966, the first-placed Mini (along with nine other cars) was disqualified after the finish, under a controversial decision that the car's headlights were against the rules.
On its introduction in August 1959, the Mini was marketed under the Austin and Morris names, as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor. The Austin Seven was renamed Austin Mini in January 1962 and Mini became a marque in its own right in 1969 In 1980, it once again became the Austin Mini, and in 1988, just "Mini" (although the "Rover" badge was applied on some models exported to Japan). This is where our special Mini was exported to under that Rover name.
BMW acquired the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) in 1994, and sold the greater part of it in 2000, but retained the rights to build cars using the MINI name.
The Mini was offered in a number of limited editions that usually included a special combination of trim and badging, but some also included mechanical upgrades.
THIS CAR
We imported this car in 2019, but sometimes you don’t always have delivered what you expect. There were some issues which we will get on to, but the most obvious one was the VIN plate in the boot stated that the colour was RCR (British Racing Green). We didn’t associate the Monte Carlo with this colour and immediately thought we’d been sold a look-alike. The information widely circulated is that 200 models were released to celebrate Paddy Hopkirk's return to the Monte Carlo Rally, 30 years after his original win - 100 in Flame Red and another 100 in Black. RCR therefore seemed problematic.
A Classic Mini enthusiast and importer/ exporter of them in Japan, confirmed that there were as few as 50 British Racing Green Mini Cooper Monte Carlo’s sold to Japan. This makes this car very rare indeed.
Now back to the other things we weren’t expecting: The condition of the car on arrival wasn’t as described. The gearbox crunched, the engine sub-frame wasn’t in great condition. The wheels were in need of a refurb. It was missing all the decals the special edition came with and the front light bar, with the iconic four spotlights.
The front end needed a respray, so we were given the perplexing task of deciding whether to repaint the whole car in British Racing Green, to restore the original factory finish of 1 in 50 cars, or to keep the Fame Red exterior. Tough call, as we like to keep cars original. It was decided eventually to keep the Flame Red. After-all, only 100 of these were ever produced – it was an original Monte Carlo regardless and Paddies signature colour was red, as used in the rallies.
So here you have it - a rare special edition, with the potential next time the car is restored to be an even rarer collectors car.
The car’s engine and gearbox have been refurbished with the engine upgraded with an anti-engine oil slosh mod. New windows and rubbers have been fitted. The car has been painted where needed and all the decals have been re-installed.
We have gone all out and fitted brand new Ultralite wheels & Falken tyres. The light-bar is now installed and air-con re-gassed. The only thing we need to do is fit the obligatory mud-flaps and complete the detailing.
We even have a replica vintage roof-rack as an option, if you prefer to store your spare wheels up top!
The car is currently registered on NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and is pending import (no current UK registration).
SPECIFICATION
This vehicle was built as standard with the following specification:
Air conditioning
Alarm
Driver`s airbag
Chrome grille
Chrome handles
Chrome bumpers
Gun-metal Grey Minilite alloy wheels
Four Spot-Lights
Body coloured wheel arches
John Cooper signature decals
Single coach-line, with Monte Carlo decals
Red vinyl seats with cream cloth centre panels
Red seat belts
Red carpets
Red leather steering wheel, gear knob and gaiter
Wooden dash-board
Alloy under-tray
Upgrades
The car has been kept standard since construction, with the following to note:
RCR changed to Flame Red
Alarm removed
OUR PREP
As stated, we have done significant prep on this car to ensure the very best future experience for its new owner:
Paintwork improvement
Driver seat repair
Dash repair
New windows and rubbers
Engine and gearbox refurbishment and painting
Central oil pick-up pipe upgrade
All decals renewed
Light-bar with 4 x lights installed
New polished chrome rocker cover with red cap
Rally style wheel arches replaced
Brand new Ultralite wheels & Falken tyres
Front brakes replaced
New battery
Aircon re-gas
Full service & MOT
Pending works:
New battery clamp
Rear mud-flap installation
Re-installation of alloy under-tray
Final detailing
OPTIONS & UPGRADES
We are happy to present this car as is, or you may wish to choose from a range of options, including:
Entertainment System
Sat Nav
Replica vintage roof rack
Alarm & central locking
Electric power steering
Bespoking
World-wide shipping
Finance
OUR PACKAGE
This car is being sold with the following package:
12 months MOT
12 Months/ 6000 Miles Warranty
12 Months UK AA Home Start, Road-Side Assistance & Recovery
Full tank of fuel
Free UK Mainland delivery
Finance & part-exchange options.
