1993 Rover Mini - Italian Job Special Edition

Highlights

  • One of only 1,750 built - and only 750 built for Italy
  • Left Hand Drive example
  • Impressive programme of mechanical works reported by the vendor
  • Nicely appointed retrimmed interior with leather seats

The Appeal

The Mini ‘Italian Job’ edition was released in 1992, to commemorate arguably the car’s greatest exploits - the legendary Michael Caine motion picture. They were built to look like Mini Coopers, but were actually tweaked Mini Mayfairs, producing 50hp and carrying the racer aesthetics on bonnet stripes and extra trims. Only 750 were made for the Italian market, with 1,000 for the UK - a relatively scarce edition for the Mini-Madness era of the 90s!
This example is one that’s been extensively modified, now carrying a strong resemblance to Charlize Theron's Mini in the 2003 all-American remake of The Italian Job. Still carrying its distinctive twin-flag branding, it’s been retrimmed and cosmetically modified to make a superb tribute to one of the world’s greatest tunes - The Ace of Spades by Motörhead. We’re pretty sure Lemmy would have heavily approved.

1993 Rover Mini Italian Job (7).jpg 755.22 KB

The History and Paperwork

  • Limited Italian edition of only 750 cars
  • Indicates 90,896km on a five-figure odometer
  • Originally a show car for BM Autio Srl, Rome in 1993
  • Purchased, modified and re-registered in 2006
  • Sold to third owner - a collector - in 2012, who underwent a cosmetic restoration
  • Purchased by current vendor in 2014 and extensively modified
  • Car as reportedly a daily driver for the first 3-4 years of ownership
  • Now been stored dry in a private garage for 2 years

The Interior

  • Retrimmed interior with red and black leather seating
  • Custom-made replacement floor moquette and headlining
  • New leather door cards in red and black 
  • New Radica wood dashboard 
  • Newly fitted clock
  • Fresh aluminium detailing including door and window handles
  • Motörhead themed sticker to the dashboard
  • Seats appear to be in excellent order with no rips, scuffs or tears
  • Carpets and headlining in very good condition with no visible wear
  • Dashboard in excellent order - however some work to the surround wouldn’t go amiss 
  • Instruments are all clean and readable with no major flaws
  • Aluminium handles all in excellent order with minimal wear
  • Original Italian flag steering wheel in good condition
  • Stylish wooden-trimmed gearstick shows minimal wear
  • Italian Job sticker to the centre console, as fitted with the car
  • Aftermarket Kenwood stereo/CD player installed 
  • Boot in good order, with red carpets and additional ‘Ace of Spades’ detailing
  • All electrics inspected and renewed in 2018 with no issues reported

The Exterior 

  • Original flame red with white racing stripe paintwork
  • Modified to feature a white roof and plastic wheel arches
  • Numerous additional chrome trims including lights, bumper and roof
  • Motörhead / Ace of Spades decals added
  • Never been formally restored, only maintained
  • Loss of guttering where the pillars meet the trim
  • Roof trim has come loose in places and may need refitting
  • The glue from the roof trim appears to have caused some paint damage 
  • All other seals and seams appear to be clean and free of major problems
  • Plastic wheel arches are showing some colour loss and cracking to the paint
  • Paintwork itself shows age-commensurate wear
  • White accented mirrors, stripes and roof are in generally fair order
  • Decals display nicely and appear to have been professionally applied
  • Fitted with white ‘Superlight’ aluminium rims
  • Recently fitted Yokohama tyres that have plenty of tread
  • Sills show some slight deterioration and may need some light remedial work
  • Underneath, the offside rear is showing some wear
  • The vendor reports that this is superficial only
  • Wheel arches look to be in good order
  • Suspension appears to be in good condition with no major faults we can highlight

The Mechanics 

  • Originally powered by the Mini 1275 powerplant producing 50hp
  • Modifications made by current owner bring this to ‘about 90hp’ including:
    • New single carburettor
    • New ported carburettor manifold
    • New ported and lowered engine head
    • Aluminium head cover with red lid
    • New Aluminium Racing radiator
    • New clutch, fitted in 2016 (around 15km ago)
    • New enlarged water pump
    • Full Inox exhaust manifolds and dual straight exhaust
    • Larger Titanium valves
    • Dual stiff springs
    • 1.5:1 Roller Tip Rocker by Minisport
  • Despite these changes and the new exhaust, it's completely road legal
  • 4-speed manual exhaust
  • Engine bay is in good, clean condition with minor signs of wear
  • No reported faults from the vendor, who remarks that the car starts first time with no issues
  • The vendor reports that the downgraded Mini now matches the Mini Cooper for performance - if not slightly exceeds it

Summary

Though some light cosmetic work is required to bring the car up to top order, this retrimmed, modified car is a unique sight and bound to give plenty of fun.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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Shipping and transfer

Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased. Car & Classic may refer a shipping company that also deals with import/export paperwork. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.

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Vehicle specification
  • Year 1993
  • Make Rover
  • Model Mini
  • Colour Flame Red
  • Odometer 90,896 Kilometres
  • Engine size 1275
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Toscana
  • Country Italy
Bidding history
22 bids
  • Li•••• €11,250 15/02/23
  • Da•••• €11,000 15/02/23
  • Li•••• €10,750 15/02/23
  • Ne•••• €10,500 15/02/23
  • Mi•••• €10,250 15/02/23
  • Li•••• €10,000 15/02/23
  • Da•••• €9,900 15/02/23
  • Li•••• €9,800 15/02/23
  • ja•••• €9,500 15/02/23
  • Mi•••• €9,300 15/02/23
Message C&C Auction Team

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