18 replies to this topic

[Algordo1100]

On further research, it seems that if I use the 'personal import' option, it shouldn't be too difficult to register a UK mini back in Queensland if I meet the necessary criteria. Like.. I have to own the car and it be 'in use' here in the UK for a year before going home.. ok.
Plus, a 1988 or earlier is going to be easier, so unfortunately that rules out my 90s cooper idea.

I'll not blindly buy anything. I'll just keep looking :)

Don't rule out the Cooper idea! After all - the prototype / test car for the JCG conversion kits was an '86 Mayfair : http://topclassiccar...ne-off-car.html

How about a 1988 Red Hot limited edition with a John Cooper Conversion? I'm sure some would have been converted at the time, but whether you'd find one for sale is another matter. You could get a standard-as-you-can-find Red Hot (or just a late 80s 998 red Mayfair / City!? Then maybe you wouldn't feel bad about repainting the roof white if you were set on that look) and either pay for the current reproduction Cooper Car Co. kit available via MiniSport or replicate the key bits yourself (Maniflow 'Stage 1' kit, worked head, uprated cam, white minilights etc) I'm sure you could find some nice 'period correct' front seats like you could get from John Cooper in the 90s to help comfort levels too : http://www.minipassi...Cooper 1992.pdf

Just an(other) idea! :)

The first Mini I saw that made me want one, as a small boy, was a 'Flame'. Brand new in Tescos car park. I'm pretty sure it would have been on an 88 F plate.

They came in red with a white roof and green (racing green) with a white roof.

Somebody tell me if I'm wrong but these 2 special editions were to 'test the water' before a real sporty mini was re introduced in the cooper. Wikipedia says from January 89 and released with the Rose/Sky. But I'm sure I've seen them on an 'F' plate. 88

Anyway, they already look just like a 90s cooper. Only minilights and a cooper grill required, from memory.

I certainly like the 998 A+. It's a brilliant little engine to tune up, and I'm not particularly after silly power anyway.

But find a racing flame in good condition!

So yea...an(other) idea. :)

[rich_959]

My first car was a 'Racing Green' 998. It was on a 90 'H' plate, but looking back, I assume it was registered late and had sat somewhere for a while? 

[Quincy Sparks]

Yeah, likewise - seeing the Racing Flames in my local Austin dealer the summer I passed my test ('89 - gulp!) made me want one too :) There were two versions, the earlier Jan '89 edition (which would have had an 'F' plate, Aug 88 - > July 89) with black grille and plastic wheel trim, and then the 1990 (mostly 'G' plates, but some 'H' like Rich says, I've seen a few a shows) version with alloys and chrome Cooper grille, plus a black Checkmate edition : https://www.roblight...e-brochure.html

 

 

Then, like you say, they put 1275s, a sunroof and the wheel from the Mini 30 in the unsold shells and lo! the Cooper was back f'real :)

I've seen a few decent looking Racing / Flames for sale this year whilst looking for potential cars for a couple of friends - always miles from me so didn't check any out in person, but they're out there - and not yet silly money either. JCG converted ones at a bit of a premium. Hope you get the car of your dreams anyway!

[Algordo1100]

"Vehicles Manufactured Before 1989 Option"

It specifically says manufactured before 1st Jan 1989, not registered. I wonder if that will help in my search and decisions.

Of course, there's nothing stopping me from painting any pre 89 mini to look like a cooper. There were so many 'cooper replicas' knocking about back in the day. It seems sacrilege to do it now though.

Plus I already did that, 20 years ago, to my first Mini. A 1990 City called Nudge. But I never had that 'real' cooper.