12 replies to this topic

[Becky3280]

Hey I'm new too the mini forum but we already have three minis, one of them being a mk1 so we re not new too the mini obsession :) but we have recently purchased a 1988 'jet black convertible' it's not a conversion it came out of the factory like that and it's all down on the log book as a convertible jet black. But we have done some research and we can't find anything on a convertible jet black but only on the jet black hardtop minis it says there were only 1000 made but nothing WHATSOEVER about a jet black convertible, just wondering if anyone has got any information on these it would be greatly appreciated!! As right now we have no idea of we have something brilliant or if something's not quite right, Any help guys? From Becky x

[Tanya]

Our son has a Jet Black and has done quite a bit of research on them.  As far as both of us are aware, Longbridge never produced the convertible Jet Black, and I have never heard one mentioned by anyone else (several have been made into convertibles over the years).

 

My guess is that yours has been converted at a later date, but I could be wrong.  I guess filling out this form and sending it to DVLA would show if it was first registered as a convertible, or whether the work was carried out at the later date - http://www.direct.go...ehicle/V888.pdf

Edited by Tanya, 27 May 2013 - 08:14 PM.

[Jordie]

Pictures would help, i doubt its a factory version.

 

Conversion most likely, Probally done pre 1994 and DVLA changed logbook

[Becky3280]

Thanks guys will put up some photos now!! X

[Dan]

  There were no factory convertibles in the '80s as standard.  They did build one off cars for high prices now and then for individual customers but it's unlikely anyone asking for a custom factory convertible would have based it on any standard production model I'd think, even a special edition.  The few companies that have made conversion kits over the years each have a very distinctive product, if you post a photo we could tell you who converted it.

[Becky3280]

This is the one we have b

[Becky3280]

This is the one we have bought

http://www.scottishm...ertible-project

[Jordie]

Conversion.

 

Not best pics, but have you checked for strengthening?

[wardyxxx]

Aye. That be a conversion job, it will have had a full roof when it came out of the factory.

[Dan]

  Looks to me like it might be the Custom Cabrios kit (now part of Custom Autofashion).  It may be missing some of the essential strengthening though, can you get pictures of the front parcel shelf, door frames and rear bench seat?

[Becky3280]

I haven't got any more photos im afraid, we paid £700 for the car, but i'm not too sure if we may have paid way too much for this too be a conversion when he has told us it was genuine? Any thoughts on that guys? I'm afraid i'm going too put alot of money into something that won't be worth much at all when we've finished it....

[Jordie]

if you finish it to a nice standard, make sure theres enough strenegthing is the key. No point doing this if its not got the strengthening.

 

Ive got a cabriolet conversion which still has the front part of the roof, a roll over bar and additional strenegthing in the sills.

 

But without the roof on yours, you need alot of metal work to keep that rigid. Id certainly be googling the genuine rover convertible and looking at the additional strengthening used and then comparing it to yours.

 

If it was a genuine convertible from the factory, £700 would have been v.cheap!

[wile e coyote]

Hmm looks like an autofashion kit .... http://www.autofashi...rtible_kits.htm (the admittedly poor pic of the currently available strengthening panels may give a clue?

 

As had already been said it can't be a factory convertible but I remember reading somewhere that prior to Lamm making the LE forerunner to the rover cabrio they had been making mini cabrios since the early eighties ... so theoretically it's just possible......if a bit of a remote chance..

 

Form the link you posted I think chappie that sold it to you needs rhinoplasty..... heres what one of the very limited edition (75) original lamm's is up for...

 

http://www.carandcla....uk/car/C196453

 

His " valuation" on yours more than a bit fanciful... (sorry!)

 

When all's said and done though mini cabrios are pretty rare however they're made - fix it up & enjoy......never been in one but I'd bet they're a lot of fun