1990 Rover Mini

Authentic Motorcars presents this one-of-a-kind, custom built Mini that is a show quality masterpiece which has been in the cofounder's personal collection over the last 2 years. This car was the personal build of the owner of "M-Tech Classic Mini Specialists" in the UK and was featured in the October 1996 issue of Mini Magazine. The car was imported into the USA by a Microsoft engineer in 2001 and was converted to LHD before entering the states by M-Tech. This Mini started life as a clean, low mileage 1990 Cooper RSP (Rover Special Performance) limited edition model #479 of 1650 produced (1050 for UK market) that came with a factory sunroof, 1275cc motor, oil cooler, and special trim kit. These special editions were the first later model Minis to be called Coopers in 19 years and were built in partnership with John Cooper Garage for many custom touches. This car was treated to a complete bare shell, show quality respray in its original color of Flame Red in 1995 by a Ferrari specialist paint shop out of the UK. The motor was replaced with a 1380cc "Road Competition" unit built by MED Engineering Services in Leicester, England w/ Omega forged pistons, Kent 266 mild road cam, large valves, and 1:5:1 roller rocker. lightened and balanced internals, hardened and drilled crank, and ARP studs. Feeding the engine is a HIF44 SU carburetor and an Opcon Autorotor twin-screw supercharger which is said to boost horsepower to 130. Other mechanical improvements are Pertronix electronic ignition, electric cooling fan, aluminum radiator, stainless exhaust, ceramic coated headers, KAD 4-pot alloy caliper front disk brakes w/ power assist and stainless lines. Twin fuel tanks are a nice addition to allow for extended road trips, one is a 7.5-gallon, the other is a 5.5-gallon. The suspension is fitted with a Hi-Lo kit that has adjustable ride height and caster/camber as well as adjustable dampening to the shock absorbers. 10x6.5 inch, 3-piece aluminum wheels by Spectrum Racing are wrapped in sticky Yokohama Advan 032R tires (replaced in 2020) and look very sharp. The exterior is finished in Flame Red with a black roof and factory glass pop-up sunroof which makes driving in warm weather more enjoyable. Inside the cabin, large comfortable Corbeau Racing bucket seats hold you in place and are upholstered in black leather with patterned "Cooper Lightning" cloth centers and red piping. The rear seat was also upholstered to match and looks great with the red carpeting topped by black Paddy Hopkirk floormats. A Cooper leather/aluminum Motolita steering wheel, aluminum Paddy Hopkirk shift knob, alloy gas pedal, Cooper alloy e-brake knob, and black leather/red stitching shift and e-brake boots also compliment the cabin. The dash face, door caps, and door pulls are finished with beautiful, deep polished walnut trim. A full set of beautiful, ivory faced gauges greats you including 110mph speedometer, tach, oil pressure, water temp, fuel level, voltmeter, and electric clock. There is a cool enamel dash badge and rear side window decals "The Self Preservation Society" which are a neat little nod to the original 60's Michael Caine film; "The Italian Job". The stereo system fitted represents top of the line tech for the 1990's period with a Nakamichi CD head unit, JL Audio speakers, amplifier and a 10-inch MTX Audio Subwoofer. Other neat touches are John Cooper door sill plates, Cooper alloy door handles/window winders, John Cooper bonnet stripes, John Cooper monza fuel tank caps, chrome mirrors, early type stainless wipers/washer jets, polished side window surrounds, chrome bonnet hinges, and an early type chrome interior rearview mirror really dress up the car. The underside was treated with Waxol for anti-corrosion when it was painted in 1995 and has held up well.

Recent enhancements to the Mini in 2024-2025 include replacing the heater core, installing a new aluminum radiator with a new 88 degree thermostat, changing the motor oil and supercharger oil, replacing the battery, adding an oil sump guard, painting the fender flares black, fitting an alloy Paddy Hopkirk valve cover, Italian air horns, installing a retro wavy front grill, adding the Italian Job front light bar, rear fog lamp, GB emblem on the trunk lid, and union jack side emblems. The trunk was also completely carpeted with a flat floor panel, and finished in black quality materials and a custom phone holder with USB charger was integrated into the dash by Group 2 Motorsports of Woodinville, WA. The Mini was given a fresh suspension alignment by Mshop of Kirkland in June of 2025. In October of 2020 the Mini Cooper was sent to Jet Motors Inc of Oregon, a classic Mini specialist and received a comprehensive recommissioning service to the tune of over $8000 (receipts available). The work included new Superfin rear alloy brake drums, new tires, new Pertronix high voltage ignition system, new spark plugs and wires, new Moulton suspension cones, electric fuel pump, front and rear tow-eyes, new HIF44 SU carburetor, heavy duty lower control arms, poly bushings, heavy duty tie rods, quick shift kit, new fuel tank level sending unit, full fluid change and a boost gauge was added to monitor Supercharger performance. Jet Motors looked over the entire car and determined that to build this car today would be well over $80,000 and that this is one of the best Cooper builds that they have ever seen. The car is an absolute hoot to drive and the attention to detail and quality of the car is first class all around. This Mini will be one of the highlights to any collection or can be an exciting show car/daily driver. Included are 2 sets of keys, fitted Red Paddy Hopkirk car cover, C-Tek battery tender, Lucas driving lamp covers, misc spare parts, binder of service history, owner's manual, service book, and the Oct 96' issue of Mini Magazine with the article of this car.

The classic Mini is one of the most significant automobiles of the 20th century. It was voted as the 2nd most influential vehicle just behind the Ford Model T to ever be mass produced. The compact British coupe was revolutionary when it was launched in 1959 and had an extremely long production run all the way through 2000! The brain child of Sir Alec Issigonis, the Mini was one of the first vehicles to be designed around the passenger compartment, ensuring ample room for such a small 120-inch length. To allow for such practical proportions the motor and gearbox shared the same oil, and the radiator was mounted to the side of the engine compartment. This enabled the Mini to have a short front end. Originally the Mini was fitted with 10-inch wheels and dry rubber bumpers instead of traditional springs which gave the car go-cart-like handling. The car was an instant success and truly classless as both the common man and even celebrities were lining up to buy the smart looking new car. The Mini even had rally and racing victories as the motorsport world discovered how easy it was to toss one into a tight corner and the owners were treated to outstanding reliability as well, all good traits for winning races. All in all over 5.3 million Minis would be sold worldwide by the time production ended in 2000 and the name would live on in the retro styled new Mini launched under BMW control in late 2000.