13 replies to this topic

[Jack-Mini]

Hi everyone, I have just purchased a 1989 Mini thirty with the John cooper conversion kit fitted. The registration is G950 PGX, the car hasn't got alot of history with it and the previous owner didn't know much about its past. The car had the conversion kit fitted from the factory but all the paperwork has been lost (believe to have been taken by a insurance company due to the car having a accident in august 2000). I am just wondering does anyone know anything about the cars past or any previous owners as I want to find out as much as possible about the car. Also does anyone know how many mini thirty's where fitted with the John cooper conversion kit. Any information would be greatly appreciated 

 

Thanks

 

Jack

 

Here are a few pictures of the car

 

Attached Files

•  engine.JPG   93.04K   38 downloads
•  exterior 2.JPG   60.96K   28 downloads

[mk1coopers]

There is a face book page for these conversions I'm sure they will be able to help

https://m.facebook.c...6843933693&_rdr

[Quincy Sparks]

Glad you've picked that up - it needed rescuing! I see you've made contact with the Cooper Conversions folks on facebook, have you seen this old thread on TMF? You might be able to get hold of the owner from 2010 (2 owners ago?) for more info / details on car history?

[Dan]

To my knowledge this car must have been directly converted by John Cooper Garages, or may have been later registered. The kit wasn't for this model, and I don't believe was available at launch of the Thirty. The kit was introduced as a dealer fit option to the Racing/Flame/Checkmate range which was slightly later. It may be that this was a late registered car and the dealer fitted the kit, or it may be that it went to JCG. I'm not sure the 30 had the proper base engine for the kit really, it was designed for the F16 engine numbers as fitted to the Racing/Flame/Checkmate, which had an alternative diff from the one that was standard at the time on the City it was based on. Although the 30 was based on Mayfair so it may have been different anyway. I wouldn't imagine there are many 30s with it fitted. I've had both a 30 and a Checkmate (well the 30 was the in laws really), and I used to have some of the sales brochures for them.

Edited by Dan, 19 August 2013 - 10:58 AM.

[jaydee]

Can this be fitted with the earlier kit that was available at JCG for the Mayfair?

[Dan]

Yes that's what I'm thinking. A proper JCG conversion rather than the Cooper / Rover kit. When I referred to a kit above I meant the Rover warrantied stuff. You might find that the company now trading in the remains of the classic Mini JCG stuff has records of how many 30s or similar models they did. Sorry I can't remember the name.

Edited by Dan, 19 August 2013 - 03:57 PM.

[Miniholic]

Great to see the car is in safe hands, was tempted myself but don't have room for another and I've already got two projects on the go that are taking far too long anyway.  I had a Cherry Red 30 in the early 90's, one of the best LE's and would love another one day.

 

What are the last two digits of the conversion number? If fitted at JCG it will be GB, otherwise its a dealer fit.  Don't think you'll have much luck finding any records from JCG, they all went in the skip when the garage closed down.  I did see a Cherry Red converted car for sale last year, so that's at least two!

 

You can write to DVLA for details of previous owners for a small fee, you never know someone might have hung onto some info.

[Jack-Mini]

Thanks for the replys, the conversion certificate is believed to have been taken with the rest of the history when the car had the accident. I was told the car had it fitted from new so it must have been fitted at the john cooper garages? Rather than a dealer.

Edited by Jack-Mini, 19 August 2013 - 10:30 PM.

[Jack-Mini]

Do you have any of the sales brochures left Dan as I would be very interested in them.

[Jack-Mini]

Thanks for the link Quincy sparks I have sent a message to the previous owner :)

[Dan]

  I don't no, I sold the Checkmate years ago now.  There is a website where you can see most Mini brochures, www.roblightbody.com.

 

  If it was the dealer fit kit it would be considered to be from new, loads of options on cars were once dealer fit.  Not so much any more.  These conversions were never done by the Rover factory, the kits were dealer fit (because the car wasn't type approved with the kit fitted, so it couldn't be sold to you directly by the manufacturer with it fitted) and the conversions were from JCG because throughout the later '70s and '80s BL / Rover wanted nothing to do with John Cooper.  JCG were doing conversions as a private enterprise in this period much like many other Mini specialist garages were.

[Jack-Mini]

The 998 conversions was rover approved and could be fitted by the rover dealership minidizzy as stated in the checkmate, racing flame and racing green brochure and also the 1989 john cooper brochure.

[Jack-Mini]

Does anyone know the date in 1989 when the conversions started? Thanks