8 replies to this topic

[Richard_]

I believe this car had a Nimbus Grey grille when new - although i've never seen a picture of this.

. Only this advertisement - and the grlile looks pretty much black to me- which was the case on the 1990 model.

 

https://www.roblight...840031_orig.jpg

 

 

Has anyone got an image of the nimbus grey grille? - also does anyone know if it was matt or gloss or somewhere in-between?

 

Thanks

[roblightbody]

I've attached a terrible photo i took of my brother with ours 30 years ago... I'm try to find you a better one...

Attached Files

•  1991-07-01.jpg   52.12K   0 downloads

[Richard_]

Fantastic - thanks.

So that looks like a satin finish to match the mirrors and arches etc.

I'm guessing that car is not around anymore?

[Richard_]

There is also that clip from Top Gear which I had forgotten about.

Edited by Richard_, 11 May 2021 - 09:44 AM.

[roblightbody]

It had the same finish as the grey bit of the door handles and the rear light bar, if that's any help.

Also other models were the same so you can look for photos of them, eg mini 25, Ritz etc

Edited by roblightbody, 11 May 2021 - 10:08 AM.

[Richard_]

Yes tremendous help thanks. I shall have to think of a way to recreate the matt finish. 

[Itsaminithing]

I'm bored, so i'm feeling controversial....

 

I believe this car had a Nimbus Grey grille when new

Oh no it didn't              (or at least i don't think it did).

 

The 1989 Mini Racing/Mini Flame (as opposed to the 1990 Mini Racing Green/Mini Flame Red) seem to have been a bit of a mix & match (from the Latin: Pigus Earus).

They had black door cards/padded dash rails but with grey seat facings & 3 spoke steering wheel!

The exterior handles & wheel arches look black on some cars (but nimbus grey on others) but the grille almost always looks Black.

http://www.austinmin...check mate.html

https://www.sixgear....ml#lg=1&slide=8

https://www.wikiwand...imited_editions

There was a 1989 Mini Racing/Flame, Sky & Rose Register on Facebook, it's no longer run by the originator but you might be able to get a definitive answer from someone on there.

https://www.facebook...kyRoseRegister/

 

 

 

[roblightbody]

Well all i know is how our car was, out of the factory in march 89, because I was obsessed with the thing at the time.

All grey exterior bits. Black everything inside. The only grey trim i ever saw inside one of them was in the brochure, and it was a mistake.

The problem is the grey looks black in most photos, and also people swapped grey trim for black later as it was easier to get hold of.

[Richard_]

Yes I agree - this has been called a 'parts bin special.' before!

A further complication is that some black components can fade to grey after 32 years. 

 

I'm fairly sure my car had:

 

Grey bits:

door handles

number plate light , 

gutters

arches ( actually a colour in-between Nimbus and black.)

sill trim dark grey.

steering wheel

 

Black bits

Mirrors

grille - possibly?

wiper arms

Door cards ( with red trim)

Dash lining, radio carrier, carpets and 3-clock binnacle

Seats in black 'crayon' fabric.

 

 

(Bumpers - chrome.)