15 replies to this topic

[Morris14]

Hi it's great to finally be apart of the gang!

 

I've recently purchased a Japanese import 1994 Rover Mini! In good shape but looking forward to the journey ahead.

I'd love to get in touch with other '94 Rover Mini owners and try get some insider tips!

 

I tried to narrow the identification down by attempting to match the internal aesthetics such as the trimming, seats and facia - but as you rightly suggested I feel a lot has been changed todate. Similarly, it has a range of conflicting badges such as the leyland mini badge on the front, "rover" on the left side of the boot and a range of "35" decals that did not accompany the original.

 

If somebody could help clarify the model I have it would be great! I've narrowed it down to either a '94 Mini 35 Limited or '94 Mini Mayfair. It was sold as a 35 limited but some of the aesthetics don't seem to match up! Any help would be great!

 11128622_803446793072061_1294589263_n.jpg   36.72K   20 downloads  11164106_802965939786813_1773403741_n.jpg   28.34K   21 downloads  11185742_802965959786811_1902584312_n.jpg   51.17K   25 downloads

 

Im curious, is there a method of mechanical identification accross the models? ie Engine layouts etc

 

Thanks for the help lads - much appreciated,

A

[korky]

Decoding through the VIN number already tells a few things. Copied this from love-mini:

 

1990 On (1275cc cars only)
The general format for the VIN for these cars is:
SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######
 
First Three Positions (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######)
= World Make Identifier.
SAX = MG-Rover
 
Fourth and Fifth Positions (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
XN = Mini 1275
 
Sixth Position (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
= Class
N = Sport, Cooper, Cabriolet
V = Kensington
W = HLS, Mayfair
Y = City, Sprite
 
Seventh Position (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
= Body type
A = 2-door saloon/sedan.
B = Cabriolet
 
Eighth Position (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
= Engine
D = 1275 Carb
M = 1275 Carb
X = 1275 SPi (standard compression ratio, 9.4:1)
Y = 1275 SPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
Z = 1275 MPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
 
Ninth Position (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
= RHD/LHD, Transmission type, Final Drive
B = RHD, Manual, 3.105
C = RHD, Manual, 3.21
E = RHD, Manual, 2.76
K = RHD, Automatic
M = LHD, Manual, 3.105
N = LHD, Manual, 3.21
R = LHD, Manual, 2.76
Y = LHD, Automatic
 
Tenth Position (SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######):
= Model Change
A = 1275 Special Edition
B = 1275
 
Eleventh Position (SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######):
= Assembly Plant
D = Longbridge
 
Number positions (SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######):
= The sequential build number:
Starting with 010001

[Morris14]

Decoding through the VIN number already tells a few things. Copied this from love-mini:

 

1990 On (1275cc cars only)
The general format for the VIN for these cars is:
SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######
 
First Three Positions (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######)
= World Make Identifier.
SAX = MG-Rover
 
Fourth and Fifth Positions (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
XN = Mini 1275
 
Sixth Position (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
= Class
N = Sport, Cooper, Cabriolet
V = Kensington
W = HLS, Mayfair
Y = City, Sprite
 
Seventh Position (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
= Body type
A = 2-door saloon/sedan.
B = Cabriolet
 
Eighth Position (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
= Engine
D = 1275 Carb
M = 1275 Carb
X = 1275 SPi (standard compression ratio, 9.4:1)
Y = 1275 SPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
Z = 1275 MPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
 
Ninth Position (SAX-XN-N-A-D-B-B-D-######):
= RHD/LHD, Transmission type, Final Drive
B = RHD, Manual, 3.105
C = RHD, Manual, 3.21
E = RHD, Manual, 2.76
K = RHD, Automatic
M = LHD, Manual, 3.105
N = LHD, Manual, 3.21
R = LHD, Manual, 2.76
Y = LHD, Automatic
 
Tenth Position (SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######):
= Model Change
A = 1275 Special Edition
B = 1275
 
Eleventh Position (SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######):
= Assembly Plant
D = Longbridge
 
Number positions (SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######):
= The sequential build number:
Starting with 010001

@Korky - you are a gentleman and a scholar! This should get it done!

I'll be sure to keep you all posted!

[minirwin]

I bought my mini from the Republic last year but it was originally a Japanese export, brought to the South in 2007. It is also a 35 special edition however mine has Rover badges all round. It also has air conditioning installed. My seats have been altered at some stage but according to the chassis plate they were originally white cream. I think yours might be a mayfair based on the seats but the colour is spot on to be a Japanese mini 35.

[Morris14]

I bought my mini from the Republic last year but it was originally a Japanese export, brought to the South in 2007. It is also a 35 special edition however mine has Rover badges all round. It also has air conditioning installed. My seats have been altered at some stage but according to the chassis plate they were originally white cream. I think yours might be a mayfair based on the seats but the colour is spot on to be a Japanese mini 35.

 

How's it going! Yeah see mine doesnt have the air conditioning, i've noticed a lot of the Japanese 35 ltd's have the cream seats also!

Can I ask what your VIN number is, I would like to see if it matches up to some degree at least - i've got SAXXNWAXKBD******

 

"Rover, Mini 1275, HLS/Mayfair, 2dr, 1275 SPi, RHD/Automatic, 1275 standard, Longbridge"

 

Cheers!

[minirwin]

Exactly the same except i have a B for manual instead of your K for automatic. 

[minirwin]

What was your paint and trim codes? mine is LVD for charcoal black and SMM for the cream seats

[Morris14]

Exactly the same except i have a B for manual instead of your K for automatic. 

Mine is also a manual - but i'll worry about that later! This is good news - I was becoming slightly worried to be honest!

Thanks for your help! ill dig into this over the weekend and fill you in!

 

Enjoy the weekend and thanks again!

[Morris14]

What was your paint and trim codes? mine is LVD for charcoal black and SMM for the cream seats

 

Trim  Code: SMN

Color Code: LVD

 

So quite similar! Do you have any images of your car? It would be great to see the facia and body!

[minirwin]

 

What was your paint and trim codes? mine is LVD for charcoal black and SMM for the cream seats

 

Trim  Code: SMN

Color Code: LVD

 

So quite similar! Do you have any images of your car? It would be great to see the facia and body!

 

Edited by minirwin, 05 August 2021 - 06:09 PM.

[minirwin]

 

 

I think ive worked out how to add photos although this one appears to be very large, anyway this is the dash in mine.

[peter-b]

Exactly the same except i have a B for manual instead of your K for automatic.

Mine is also a manual - but i'll worry about that later! This is good news - I was becoming slightly worried to be honest!
Thanks for your help! ill dig into this over the weekend and fill you in!
 
Enjoy the weekend and thanks again!

By Your vin decode it should be auto, so if its manual that's been changed. Has it still got auto front frame?

[Morris14]

@minirwin - sorry im not on Twitter! Your car is in great shape - the leather seating really makes the car look modern for sure!

I'm curious - you said that your VIN no.7 is B like mine - but this means standard 1275, if ours is a special edition it should surely say A here right?

 

@Peter-b - I am unsure if it has the auto front frame, im currently in the US at the moment but ill check it out upon my return, alternatively I might try get some images and see if I can tell!

 

I didn't think it would prove this troublesome to determine the model of the car!

[minirwin]

I can't argue with your logic Morris14 it appears to be sound.

What does worry me is the seemingly sheer number of this "classic 35" editions that are coming out of Japan, both of ours have made the same journey from Japan to the Republic, https://youtu.be/IRi...zaMO3AyQRnj1dYA this youtube video has another two minis in the same colour with the 35 decals coming from Japan to Canada this time.

[peter-b]

The Japanese are very finicky about older cars, they like the old style but modern conveniences. Maybe the 35 was what they liked more. Mine had lots of 'old style' accesories and retro mods, they love that stuff.