18 replies to this topic

[Mash Man Mandela]

Hi folks,

 

How rare are these limited editions getting these days?  Wondering how much one would be worth in fairly standard spec?

 

Cheers,

Tom 

[rally515]

I'l let you know when i finish mine and stick it up for sale

[craigr91]

Not sure if it makes a differance but wasn't there a '89 and a '90 version of this LE?

[Dan]

Not if the Checkmate is included. The '88/'89 series was Racing/Flame, the '89/'90 series was Racing/Flame/Checkmate. The second series had alloys as standard whilst the first didn't. Not sure if both years had the up rated FD or if it was just the later ones. The Cooper pack was only available the second time around.

[craigr91]

There we go .... Shows how little I know ;) haha

[Tyred-and-emotional]

I passed my test in 1989 in a Racing  Also drove it around the circuit at Silverstone at Mini 30, which was awesome as a 17 year old. That particular car is still on the road but much modified. I would think that the limited editions would be worth more if they have their original spec, but how much more is surely dependent on the buyer.. how long's a piece of string kind of thing..

[Brad_Raybould]

Not if the Checkmate is included. The '88/'89 series was Racing/Flame, the '89/'90 series was Racing/Flame/Checkmate. The second series had alloys as standard whilst the first didn't. Not sure if both years had the up rated FD or if it was just the later ones. The Cooper pack was only available the second time around.

 

I didn't know there was a 88 Flame Red. Just learnt something more about my LE. Mine is one of the early 89's so didn't have alloys I believe. I'd love to find some pictures of mine from previous owners before my ownership.

[some1158]

My Racing was registered in March 1989 and is part of the earlier series, with white plastic wheel trims, no passenger door mirror, and Nimbus exterior trim.  Apart from the replacement of the radio by the previous owner it is factory spec (I'd love to get an original radio/cassette).

 

I am not sure how rare this LE is.  Counting the 89 and 90 versions together, there were a fair few of them made, more than most of the other LEs.  A  reasonable number seem to survive.  The Sky and Rose, which were part of the same family as the 89 Racing and Flame, were built in smaller numbers and I think are much rarer.  

 

My view - and I know others will disagree - is that an LE which retains most or all of its original detail is best kept that way, or modified in such a way as the changes can be reversed.  The late 80s and early 90s LEs are an important part of the Mini story, and the style of the LEs - particularly the decals, in some cases - now has a certain 'period' quality. I doubt we'll ever see the likes of turquoise metallic paint with tartan interiors again, or tennis nets emblazoned across car doors.

[some1158]

Interestingly the (not very reliable) How Many Left site has about 235 of the 89 Racing/Flame, and around 268 of the 1990 series (incl. Checkmate).  If we assume that an equal number of each survives, that gives us about 115 each of the 89 model, and 90 of the 1990s.  

 

The Sky and Rose in total are counted at just over 100.

 

The Neon has 225, the Studio 2 has 205, the Red Hot has 49, Jet Black 88.

 

So it would seem that the survival rate is somewhere in the middle - more than e.g. Red Hot but fewer than Neon. Of course the figures are not 100% accurate and don't take into account modified cars, as some will be listed as Racing /Flame but have lost all trace of the original spec.

[surfblue]

Nice edition, I remember them being launched as an impressionable 15 year old being just mad about minis. 

(not much has changed in 25 years!)

[Mash Man Mandela]

Interesting stuff, cheers everyone!

 

They are a nice edition.  We've picked up a modified Racing edition, it's a bit rough and unfortunately someone has done a poor job of spraying it white.  We've taken some of the white off to reveal the racing green underneath, I'm thinking it would be nice to take it back to a pretty standard finish/spec.  

 

My uncle used have a Sky too, wish he'd held on to that now!    

[Steely]

I've seen a lot of flame red/ racing green minis about, most aren't in original condition (cooperised which is a shame). Checkmates, I'm sure I've only seen the odd one that is original. All others seem to have gone down the Cooper route.

[markosparko1994]

i've got one. Not entirely standard but I do have all of the standard parts. Stuck to the 998cc engine but modified it up a bit

[Steely]

I've seen a lot of flame red/ racing green minis about, most aren't in original condition (cooperised which is a shame). Checkmates, I'm sure I've only seen the odd one that is original. All others seem to have gone down the Cooper route.

I thought flame red/racing green minis were Cooperised from the start with white roofs and, for the second series, minilite-like wheels. At the time Rover thought the Cooper was a distant memory from 1971. When suddenly the Cooper was revived in 1990, with the RSP, they had to dream up distinguishing features like bonnet stripes and spotlights. Perhaps that's what you mean by Cooperisation.

By Cooperised I mean the stripes on the bonnet, the stripes down the sides, wide wheels, wider arches. I know it's just what people want to do but it ruins them in my opinion.