1998 Rover Mini British Open Classic LHD
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Highlights
- Bespoke tan leather interior
- High quality comprehensive restoration
- Immaculate condition
The Appeal
With the Mini being such a popular classic, many owners go out of their way to personalise them and truly make them their own. The first owner of this example was a serial Mini owner and fell into this camp, deciding that the special edition status of the British Open Classic edition was not enough and to have the interior trimmed in a specific leather that she found while on holiday in Morocco. The result was very special but when a new Mini became her new daily driver, this one was sadly neglected.
Enter the hero of our story, the current owner, who swooped in to rescue this car and has carried out a comprehensive restoration to a very high standard. Now in immaculate condition and retaining the unique interior, it’s been thoroughly preserved for future generations. But with numerous other projects underway, he needs the space and so this is your chance to enjoy the fruits of his labours. With an electrically operated fabric roof and all the mod cons, you could be living the Mini high life and, if kept in this condition, surely scooping up show awards. Get your bid in now to secure this fabulous and unique Mini.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1998 in Italy to a serial Mini owner
- Fitted with a bespoke tan leather interior following a holiday to Morocco where the owner sourced the leather
- Used as a daily driver up to 2016 when it was parked up in the garden
- Rescued by the current owner in 2020
- Treated to a comprehensive restoration including:
- Interior stripped out and all small corrosion areas addressed: external sills replaced, one bottom door replaced, some minor patches in the boot, base of windscreen and underbody taken care of
- Full external respray
- Front subframe inspected and retained
- Soundproof panel in engine bay removed for inspection and not re-applied as it can be a trap for humidity and moisture that cause rust. Noise levels not affected as interior sound deadening panels are new and effective.
- Rear subframe removed, cleaned, treated with rust-converter and recoated with fresh paint. Reinstalled with new mounting bushes and bolt kit.
- Engine and gearbox were still in good health thanks to regular oil service and did not need a full rebuild. Head has been nevertheless removed for inspection, head gasket changed, checked for leaks and valve stems replaced. New alternator, water pump and hosed.
- Exhaust manifold refurbished; downpipe and catalyst are original, central and rear exhaust are new
- Lot of cleaning and degreasing, painting brackets and ancillaries, new oxygen sensor, new oil temperature sensor, new Lambda (original Bosch spare part) and ECU via OBD scanning
- Refreshed the bespoke leather interior. The gear stick gaiter is new and made with a small patch of leather from the original roll
- All walnut burr parts are new: dashboard, door caps front and rear, door handles, door pull and gear knob.
- Internal roof headlining (both fixed and opening part) is new and correct grey vinyl made by Newton Commercial.
- Sunroof refurbished
- Minilite 12” wheels blasted, powder painted and refinished with correct MNH Silver Sparkle Rover silver grey finish and final clear ceramic coating. Fitted with new Michelin XZX 145/70 R12 and a new set of original Rover chromed nuts.
- All suspension fully rebuilt: new rubber cones with Minisport adjusta-ride kit and Bilstein shock absorbers
- Brake system fully rebuilt: new discs, new pads, new shoes, new hoses, new PWDA (front-rear repartition valve), rebuilt brake master cylinder, rebuilt front callipers.
In total, more than €5k spent in parts alone, also including new:
- Clutch kit (disc, pressure plate, bearings, flywheel resurfaced)
- Clutch master and slave cylinder
- Steering gaiters and steering-joints
- Upper and lower ball-joints
- Front wheel bearings kit
- Inner and outer cv-joints
- Differential seal output shaft
- Upper suspension arm
- Lower bushes arm
- Tie-rod and bushes
- Full set of sensors: oxygen sensor, original and rare to find Bosch lambda sensor, oil temperature sensor, coolant temperature sensor
- Front and rear new chrome bumpers
- Body coloured wheel arches
- Front headlight rims
- Indicator lamps and lenses
- Front grill and surround chrome mouldings
- Chrome screen surrounds
- Roof aerial
- Audio car system with Bluetooth phone connectivity
- Full set of invoices for the parts
- All original service books present
- Revisione (Italian MOT test) due August 2023
The Interior
- Bespoke tan leather interior
- Renewed walnut trim
- Upgraded audio
Over the course of the Mini’s long history there have been many interior configurations but we can guarantee that you’ve never seen one exactly like this. The first owner had it fully retrimmed with leather sourced from a holiday in Morocco which makes it completely unique.
Following the restoration, the cabin is in fabulous condition too, with all new walnut trim, the leather fully refreshed and a new headlining. If you look carefully, there is a small wear mark on the left side of the driver’s seat but it has been addressed with a professional leather compound.
Following the restoration, the cabin is in fabulous condition too, with all new walnut trim, the leather fully refreshed and a new headlining. If you look carefully, there is a small wear mark on the left side of the driver’s seat but it has been addressed with a professional leather compound.
In the dash is a modern head unit which provides Bluetooth connectivity for a phone and above your head is an electrically operated fully retractable roof, perfect for enjoying the sun. The boot contains the original toolkit, jack and spare wheel which looks to have been used approximately once only.
The owner notes that the airbag light and the immobiliser fob have been disabled but otherwise everything inside is working exactly as it should, including the electric windows. This is proper luxury on a Mini scale.
The owner notes that the airbag light and the immobiliser fob have been disabled but otherwise everything inside is working exactly as it should, including the electric windows. This is proper luxury on a Mini scale.
The Exterior
- Tahiti blue
- Refurbished alloys with new Michelin tyres
- Renewed chrome all round
Tahiti blue is one of those metallic colours that really pops in the sunlight and, particularly when freshly applied as it is here, it’s the perfect hue to make the familiar Mini body stand out. Since its restoration, the owner assures us that it’s never seen a drop of rain and that the paintwork remains in flawless condition. Certainly, when paired with fully renewed chrome and freshly refurbished alloy wheels, it looks very special indeed.
Underneath it’s the same story. Much love and attention went into the restoration and it shows here too. You’ll struggle to find signs of even surface corrosion and the vulnerable areas have all been treated to help them last as long as possible. It’s great to see the attention to detail that has gone into this restoration and the focus on making sure that it will endure for many more years to come.
The Mechanics
- Immaculate engine bay
- Engine runs beautifully
- New exhaust to original spec
Under the bonnet is just as pristine as the rest of the car and the seller reports that the engine pulls well and that the new suspension set up delivers both a comfortable ride and the zippy handling for which the Mini is famed.
The gear change is smooth and the all-new brakes pull the car up well. On the road there are no unusual noises, just the familiar Mini soundtrack. The exhaust, with new front and rear sections, is to standard spec but let’s not forget that Mini’s typically sounded a little throaty anyway and so it retains the usual rasp. In all, it’s thoroughly refreshed and read to be enjoyed.
The gear change is smooth and the all-new brakes pull the car up well. On the road there are no unusual noises, just the familiar Mini soundtrack. The exhaust, with new front and rear sections, is to standard spec but let’s not forget that Mini’s typically sounded a little throaty anyway and so it retains the usual rasp. In all, it’s thoroughly refreshed and read to be enjoyed.
Summary
A beautifully restored and uniquely trimmed example of the Mini British Open Classic which should be ready to give many more years of pleasure to its new owner.
Please note, an extensive file of photos and videos regarding the restoration is available.
Please note, an extensive file of photos and videos regarding the restoration is available.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1998
- Make Mini
- Model Mini British Open Classic LHD
- Colour Tahiti blue
- Odometer 95,200 Kilometres
- Engine size 1300
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Trieste
- Country Italy
20
bids
- s-•••• €14,750 04/07/22
- vo•••• €14,250 04/07/22
- s-•••• €14,000 04/07/22
- vo•••• €13,500 04/07/22
- s-•••• €13,250 04/07/22
- vo•••• €12,750 04/07/22
- s-•••• €12,250 04/07/22
- vo•••• €11,750 04/07/22
- s-•••• €11,500 04/07/22
- Mi•••• €11,113 04/07/22
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