By 1989, when Rover inherited responsibility for Mini production, the much-loved little car was getting to be rather long in the tooth. Seemingly gone were the glory days of old - the giant slaying Cooper-tuned race cars that once dominated touring car, rallycross and our cinema screens performing daring stunts in ‘The Italian Job’.
It had been almost two decades since a Mini had worn a Cooper badge, but all that was to change - along with the Mini’s fortunes - when the Cooper RSP was launched in 1990. At long last, here was a new Mini for petrolheads, the first to be fitted with a 1,275 cc engine for ten years. The retro paint schemes paid homage to those original hot Minis of the 1960s while the interior was very plush.
The owner of this superb 1990 example dubbs it a “luxury go-kart” - a most apt description in our view. It underwent substantial restoration work in 2019 and therefore presents beautifully throughout and is said to drive remarkably well. An advisory-free MOT adds weight to the reassurance for the next owner who shall be acquiring a very fine Mini indeed.
The History and Paperwork
MOT until 24th April 2025
Eight former registered keepers
UK-supplied right-hand drive example
85,568 miles indicated
Extensive restoration work carried out in 2019
Numerous invoices for components purchased in 2019
MOT history from 2006 onwards present
Eight former registered keepers
The Condition
Metallic green paint scheme with contrasting white roof, mirrors, coach lines and bonnet stripes
Resprayed in 2019
Minilite alloy wheels with Cooper branding and period-look Pirelli tyres
Full-size alloy spare wheel included in the boot
Straight and solid-looking bodywork with no signs of accident damage
The doors, bonnet and boot lid reportedly fit well
The paint looks bright and glossy, with some “orange peel” in places but no notable imperfections
The vinyls, trim and badging present very well as do the chromed bumpers
Retains its origins etched window glass
Wipac spot lamps fitted and complete with covers
Highly specified interior
New front seats fitted
New carpet
New retro sound system from Blaupunkt with DAB and Bluetooth
No notable wear evident to the upholstery and controls
The headlining and carpets present very well with no sagging, discolouration or notable wear apparent
The veneered dashboard looks very smart, as do the green-faced dials
The Mechanics
1,275 cc A Series engine
Four-speed manual gearbox
Popular RC40 Classic aftermarket exhaust fitted
No MOT advisories to report
Superbly presented engine compartment
The vendor comments: “It's so small, light, and responsive that it feels like you're actually driving a go-kart on the road”
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
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✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
