Description
Our first JDM Mini. Built to drift.
JDM stands for "Japanese Domestic Market," cars built and specced specifically for Japan. Did you know that in the 90's, 45% of all Minis produced found their way to Japan? Automatic gearboxes, air conditioning developed for the Japanese climate, cabriolet conversions. The Japanese always knew what they wanted from a Mini. And one thing Japan has always wanted is to drift. That is exactly where the SUZUKA comes in. She carries a hydraulic handbrake that locks the rear tyres on command, wider arches to keep those semi-slicks tucked in, and an A+ 1275cc under the bonnet that has been properly worked. Every part on this car is there for a reason.
That engine breathes through an aluminium intake manifold and a Maniflow double-pipe exhaust, cooled by Evans coolant through silicon hoses, spun over by a high torque starter motor. Nothing decorative, all of it functional. New disc brakes to haul her down, new drive shafts turning the semi-slicks. Underneath, HiLo's, adjustable tie rods and extra engine mounts keep her planted and steady when you're leaning on her. She's the kind of car that rewards intent.
Aesthetically she wears a full MK1 identity: MK1 rear lights, MK1 licence plate holder and boot handle, Monza fuel cap, stainless fog light, and the list goes on. Up front, an Austin MK1 grille with easy pull-out buttons for fast access to the beating heart of the car. Glass orange blinkers match perfectly with the red, and an Austin COOPER badge finishes the front end. On the doors, DOWNTON mirrors on rally-inspired brackets. All of it sitting on 10 inch COOPER 'S' styled rims in a very, very deep dish version, no spacers.
Deep red paint, a sleek black roof and fenders, a white stripe across the bonnet with a quiet nod to the Japanese flag; up front a small red dot turns that stripe into one big rising sun. BROOKS runs across her side in Japanese script (feel free to use Google Translate on those). On the tail, a custom SUZUKA sticker carries the circuit logo and the rising sun, done in classic John Cooper style.
Inside, Cobra bucket seats with seat sliders, a roll cage, and a leather-finished dashboard loaded with original Smiths gauges. A sports steering wheel in your hands. The dashboard keeps its MK1 style but with newly installed switches and a centralised choke cable fully integrated, giving that clean, simple look. And then the hydraulic handbrake. Pull it and she locks the rear tyres hydraulically; exactly what you need to nail that short corner.
Year: 1979
Engine: A+ 1275cc, aluminium intake manifold, Maniflow double-pipe exhaust, Evans coolant, silicon hoses, high torque starter motor
Exterior: deep red with black roof and fenders, white bonnet stripe with rising sun, full MK1 identity, Austin MK1 grille, Monza fuel cap, DOWNTON mirrors on rally brackets, 10 inch deep dish COOPER 'S' styled rims
Interior: Cobra bucket seats with sliders, roll cage, leather dashboard, original Smiths clocks, sports steering wheel, MK1 switches, centralised choke cable
Suspension: HiLo's, adjustable tie rods, extra engine mounts
Brakes and drivetrain: new disc brakes, new drive shafts, semi-slick tyres
Extras: hydraulic handbrake, safety mass switch
Papers: original Belgian COC / CvO "gelijkvormigheidsattest"
Mileage: 11. 260 km
