1992 Rover Mini 1000 - The Oppo Review

"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy) 12/20/2015 at 08:00 • Filed to: None

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The Mini was produced from 1959 to 2000. It has a reputation for being one of the most enjoyable car that pretty much anyone can afford. Fun and light while still remaining practical and economical. But does the Mini really deserve all the hype it still gets today, 56 years after the first model came out of the Longbridge plant in England? Let’s try to figure it out!

Full disclosure: Avis, Europcar, Budget and Sixt wanted me to drive this car so much that, in France, they all canceled their unlimited mileage car rental plans, “forcing me” to buy this Mini. It sleeps in my mother’s garage 10 months a year and I use it whenever I get back home.

Exterior - 9/10

Along with the Beetle, the Mini is one of the most iconic car design to ever see the showrooms. It looks a bit dorky, yet manages to be one of the cutest car around. Old people, kids, men, women, rich and poor, everybody loves it. The amount of smiles per gallon it gives to everyone is incomparable with any other car and is still unrivalled today. When it first came out in 1959, only 20000 units were made. Noone would have thought at the time that it would sell all the way to the 21st century with the same, pretty much unchanged, design.

Interior - 7/10

This particular Mini is fitted with this ugly very-1990’s cloth interior, but higher trims were much better and it would be unfair to grade it based on how ugly the interior of my car is. All Minis have a minimalistic, yet pratical design, allowing 4 grown ups to sit almost normally. The transverse mounted engine allows lots of leg space too. Despite being small and filled with the gas tank and the battery, the trunk will easily take your weekly groceries, granted that you’re single and don’t eat much.

Toys - 1/10

Even a tachometer it didn’t have, so toys... none it has.

Audio - 6/10

The car is fitted with decent speakers. The radio died on me a while ago and I never got around replacing it but when it worked, it was very audible over the noise of the exhaust/engine. Considering that I drive a lot, it’s nice to have a bit of music and not just the engine screaming in your ears for hours at 5000rpm on the freeway.

Acceleration - 6/10

It does 0 to 60mph in a bit over 20s, its engine produces 42hp/58lb.ft of torque and I don’t think anyone ever managed to stay awake long enough to see its quarter mile results. But to quote James May, the power is “sufficient”. Once you’re seated behind the wheel, everything will feel much faster than it really is, acceleration included.

Braking - 8/10

Drums in the back won’t be a problem at all to stop the 1250lbs of the car. Grippy tires are recommended if you don’t want to lock the front wheels constantly when you start pushing it a little. Brakes don’t fade either but let’s face it: You don’t really need brakes in this car. They are here “just in case”.

Ride - 5/10

It’s stiff, you bounce all over the place and the small upgrade I did to the car, installing adjustable shocks, changed NOTHING. It’s very unconfortable. Some kits do exists, making the car a lot more confortable and I can’t recommend them enough if you plan on daily driving a Mini. It will be tough on your back and bouncing all over the place for a couple hundreds of KM might give you serious heachaches.

Gearbox - 6/10

If you don’t have a short shifter installed, the very high gear lever is comparable to what you get in a truck. LONG movements are required to get from one gear to another. Otherwise, it’s a solid gearbox with synchros everywhere, first gear included. For much quicker shifts, a short shifter is recommended though.

Handling - 9/10

This is where the Mini shines. The archetype of the inertia car. You don’t need to touch the brakes and all you have to do is to never let go of the gas mid-corner in order to avoid a potentially very snappy lift off oversteer, very treacherous, especially in the wet. Avoiding this is fairly easy though: throttle to the floor, always! You will be within the legal speed limit most of the time anyway.

Value - 8/10

I bought the car for 1700€ 2 years ago and I have invested around 1500€ worth of restauration into it, including a brand new paint job. As of today I could sell it back for 4000€ quite easily. Prices on these are climbing, thanks to hipsters everywhere in the world who love being seen in them. While prices will never get very high, its reliability and cool factor make sure you won’t lose any money on one.

TOTAL: 65/100

The classic Mini is a driver’s car. If you don’t care much about how a car drives and just want a cool looking city cruiser, I personnally would not recommend one. Sure it’s tiny and cute, but if you use it every day in traffic or live in a city with potholes everywhere, you might quickly regret your purchase. It’s not confortable, not THAT practical and it’s very slow. On the other hand, if you enjoy driving, slaloming between cars in cities and flying down mountain roads, do it!! It’s one of the funnest car you will ever own and you won’t even lose money on it! Much better than a Smart4Sure...

f86sabre > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 08:35

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Heck, I’d buy it for €4000 right now. That and shipping to the states would still probably be less than what I can find one for here.

I assume maintenance is pretty trivial. Do new models have better protection for the known corrosion areas?

Flavien Vidal > f86sabre 12/20/2015 at 08:46

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I personnaly have no corrosion problems, and it sleeps in a closed garage. If you live in the great white north and have to deal with lot of salt that could indeed be a problem.

f86sabre > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 09:00

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We are in Atlanta, Georgia in the south. If it snows, which happens every two or three years, we just stay home until it melts.

Cool car though!

TractorPillow > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 09:27

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I daily drove one for about 6 months just to try it out. Loads of fun and definitely a car you don’t need to worry about losing too much to depreciation. I took it to an off road park once and had a blast. It’s a much better car than people give it credit for.

Naughty0ne2Pointoh > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 11:26

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I place the Austin Mini on the same level as the lower spec Caterhams. No toys but crazy enjoyable to drive.

daender > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 11:26

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AP Racing brakes?!

daender > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 11:28

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Great review, this confirms that a 90s Mini will be the perfect backup plan car if I do a euro trip in 5 years. Buy a car there I can’t get in the states, drive around for a week to various European tracks, and then import it. The primary choice is a R33 Skyline but a modern classic Mini (did they come with bigger motors than that?) is my second choice.

Declan Hackett > daender 12/20/2015 at 11:38

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Next step up was the 1275, with or without tweaking by John Cooper.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 11:38

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I love these and absolutely will have to at least drive one. I have to own one.

Nick Has an Exocet > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 11:50

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I just found you can do k20/b series swaps in these. That 0-60 is nothing that 200hp won’t fix. Wide body kit will be required though in order to fit tires that will stay connected to the road.

Declan Hackett > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 11:51

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My aunt had a 1000cc when I was a kid, and a friend of mine in college was from a family of Mini nuts. Things just don’t seem so slow when your ass is sliding around, 2 inches above the road surface!

PNO TECH > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 11:55

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Much jealousy! I look after a ‘58 Morris Minor 1000 convertable for a friend who doesn’t have time to air it regularly, so have an idea about what you mean by cool-but-not-comfortable. Really want a Mini: such a cheerful basic little car.

Were the electrical systems sorted by then, or does the Prince still bite regularly?

I can never get over how small they are. Saw one screaming along at 60ish on the interstate among semi trucks, and it looked like a toddler underfoot of NBA players-but the young lady piloting it was smiling hugely. They must be a blast!

Wurrwulf > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 11:58

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I fear that once I’m actually in position to own one of these, they’ll be obscenely overpriced. That makes me really sad.

shop-teacher > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 12:03

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Gotta love a classic Mini! I finally saw one in person about a year and a half ago, and was stunned by how truly tiny they really are.

KremerK3 > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 12:21

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They are fantastic cars if you don’t mind feeling that your basically driving a go kart, well set up there isn’t much that will stick with them down a back road, a mkII Escort perhaps.

Unfortunately i lost all my pics on my HD of my Mini Innocenti 1300 Cooper, this one looks identical except mine had wide Campagnolo rims.

The engine was done by some guy in Italy, and he went to town. The crank and head were already superior in the Italian 1300 versions but this was all redone blueprinted etc, with twin 1 3/4 SU’s on a long branch manifold Maniflow headers and full RC40 system. 8,500k was seen regularly on the FDR early sunday mornings while i was dialing it in. I remember the time i pulled up to a S500 Merc doing about 60, he gave me the thumbs up pointing at the 10” rims i smiled dropped a gear and took her all the way out to 120mph that engine was like a little sewing machine it was happiest right at the top of the redline.

My first car was a 1979 Mini 1100 Special in Rose with beige vinyl roof.

I Fucking Loved that car and actually left my girlfriend because she put her foot in the door in and argument. We repaired things but i never saw that bitch again.

phuzz > daender 12/20/2015 at 12:37

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As Flavian says, classic Minis are getting quite pricey for a half decent one now. Well, in the UK anyway.

Vin > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 12:47

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Every time I finally get around to shopping for family this Christmas, something pops up on Jalopnik to sidetrack me. YOU WON’T TEMPT ME TODAY, SWEET MINI! I WILL STAY THE COURSE-

/trawls eBay and Craigslist for classic LHD Minis

//and Hayabusa engines

///and Minilites

////buys giftcards for family, whatever

j250ex > f86sabre 12/20/2015 at 12:57

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Would be a cool car for some of Atlantas hipster neighborhoods

_Mécanicien > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 13:02

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Côtes d’Armor represent! Cool car.

QQXQXL123 > daender 12/20/2015 at 13:13

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No, just AP brakes. They’re standard for all disc braked minis. AP used to be a big generic manufacturer of parts until the British motor industry died.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotiv…

QQXQXL123 > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 13:40

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The first car that any of my friends ever bought was a Mini. A 1986 Mini Piccadilly in cashmere with a three tone brown interior. Classy.

We used to go on trips all around the UK in it but I remember most clearly the one we took to Portsmouth. Four of us (including two guys over six feet) wedged in, foot flat to the floor doing around 70 on the flat, 55 on the uphills and...well, we don’t know how fast it was downhill because the needle ran up against the stop.

We had this song on the stereo as loud as we could:

because Ocean Colour Scene are inarguably the best band to listen to if you are pimply teenagers in a Mini in the 1990s.

Orange Courier > f86sabre 12/20/2015 at 14:10

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If you’re looking for a Mini in ATL you should check out Minitech. They do amazing things with Minis.

http://www.superfastminis.com/contact_inform…

ranwhenparked > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 14:16

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By 1992, it was a Rover Mini, or actually, just “Mini”. British Aerospace discontinued the Austin brand in 1988 in favor of Rover, but never really put the Rover name on the Maestro, Montego, or Mini, so they kind of became no-name cars. I think the Mini did eventually get a Rover badge though.

kenhitch > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 14:20

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Wait wait wait... they built the classic Mini through 2000? Why didn’t I know this? Why haven’t I looked into this? That’s the best!! I need one in the states, pronto, that’d be the best daily driver ever.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Nick Has an Exocet 12/20/2015 at 14:29

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These guys offer full front clips, and awd systems for classic minis.

http://www.superfastminis.com

TireMan > Wurrwulf 12/20/2015 at 14:42

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This is exactly how I feel. We grew up with a countryman and I would love to own one someday. Good luck to us both.

Nick Has an Exocet > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 12/20/2015 at 14:44

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Man, that is so sweet. I totally want to build a rally mini now. Should start some kind of Club-Oppo that builds these things and rents them out to the community.

leigh haines > f86sabre 12/20/2015 at 14:55

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Have had many minis over a 30+ year period....the older the better for rust. I am guessing they used thinner steel on the later models.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Nick Has an Exocet 12/20/2015 at 15:07

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There is one for sale in Ottawa. It a Frankenstein Mini. CRV fuel pump & AWD transmisson, S2000 push start, Miata rear disk brakes,

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details…

Jaxxxin > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 15:11

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noone

no one

no-one

Katydidit > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 15:18

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Great article. I love it. However, I have to point out there’s no n in comfortable.

TractorPillow > j250ex 12/20/2015 at 15:19

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I had one in anti hipster Columbus, GA and people were so confused. Got many lectures from old men about driving on the wrong side of the car.

Timothy Burks > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 15:33

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Deluxe upholstery .

Nick Has an Exocet > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 12/20/2015 at 16:08

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That thing looks fantastic.

Chuck Fickens > PNO TECH 12/20/2015 at 16:30

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There’s not really a lot “electrical” on a mini to go wrong, stick a rubber glove with the fingers cut off over the distributor and you’re pretty much good to go :)

In all seriousness, I know Lucas stuff gets a really bad rep, but most of the problems are not caused by the Lucas stuff as such, the main problem was the quality of the connectors. Having helped with a bare shell restoration on a Mini I replaced most the connectors on the loom with decent ones and gave them all a smear of silicone grease, after that the car never had a problem (the original connectors were all corroded as hell!)

Tapas > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 18:50

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Sooo......2JZ swap, or nah? lol

Flavien Vidal > daender 12/20/2015 at 20:15

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Biggest engine will be the 1275 by John Cooper which delivers something like 75hp... They are pricey though

Flavien Vidal > Wurrwulf 12/20/2015 at 20:22

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Over 5 millions have been built, I doubt they’ll every get VERY expensive. Sure they won’t get cheaper, but they should stay somewhat affordable once the hipsters are done with it :)

Flavien Vidal > kenhitch 12/20/2015 at 20:26

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They are quite pricey in the US... your best choice would be to score one in France or Germany and ship it back home. 70’s models are my personnal favorite.

Flavien Vidal > Katydidit 12/20/2015 at 20:29

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Yeah that’s what happen when I think in French and write in English :(

Katydidit > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 20:42

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Ah, English is your second language? You are forgiven, then. Cognates can be... difficult.

rearwheelhorse > f86sabre 12/20/2015 at 20:47

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I sold my turbo’d mini for $6500 four years ago. I don’t think the market has taken off that much.

f86sabre > rearwheelhorse 12/20/2015 at 20:59

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You turbo’d a classic Mini?

rearwheelhorse > f86sabre 12/20/2015 at 21:13

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Not me personally, it was a 1310cc motor with a turbo slapped onto it. Car went through like 12 owners, I have no idea what owner put the turbo on. Kept the car for three months and sold it after the electrics started going wack. Fun car though.

Kelly Wittenauer > daender 12/20/2015 at 21:18

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Largest Mini engines were 1380.

Kelly Wittenauer > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 21:25

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Like crisps though - can’t have just one!

‘64 Morris Cooper S restored vintage racer, ‘08 MINI Cooper B Spec, ‘10 MINI Copper & ‘77 Austin 1275GT

The Parts Guy > Flavien Vidal 12/20/2015 at 21:31

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Im really happy I saw this review. I recently purchased my own classic mini. 1990 Rover Mini with a 1275cc & an SU HIF44 carb. It’s a wonderful car.

Flavien Vidal > The Parts Guy 12/20/2015 at 21:59

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Nice man! These ones are “a little faster” than mine haha

Would love to try one someday

Flavien Vidal > Kelly Wittenauer 12/20/2015 at 22:04

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And the good thing is that you can fit 6 cars in a 2 door garage like this one haha. New ones never did it for me though.

Flavien Vidal > rearwheelhorse 12/20/2015 at 22:52

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The market has changed a lot on those in 4 years... Even in England, the cheapest Turbo go for 15000$, all the way to over 30k$...

Similar to mine, they go for 3000 to 4000 GBP, in england also....

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Ca…

Nikesh Kooverjee > Flavien Vidal 12/21/2015 at 00:06

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Here’s my 1275. Haven’t driven it in a while because of time constraints but it’s in pretty bad condition. Also I keep flooring it through the corners so I can understeer. I have a weird understeer fetish.

fourvalleys > kenhitch 12/21/2015 at 09:00

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The 25-year import law will get you. Even the injected models aren’t legal yet. The MPi models might be better for a DD, but for any “spirited” driving, you want a carb anyway.

Anyway, they’re a pretty terrible daily driver for the US. They’re very slow. Like, slower than you’d want if you’re hitting any traffic signals. Even more than that though, they’re horrendously unsafe. A 30mph crash is serious business. It’s all part of the risk you have to accept.

Surprisingly though, they are not all that cramped. There’s more room in the backseat than in my BRZ, and other than the odd upright seating position, you aren’t cramped too badly in the front, either. My limit is about 2 hours before my ankle starts to cramp horribly. Having said that, all of the room is because there’s very little structure around you.

Spend 10 grand on a used Civic or something, it just isn’t worth it for a DD.

spectre6000 > Flavien Vidal 12/21/2015 at 09:11

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PS BMC here. LHD below. Is one of the images switched, or did Austin rig up some weird lever system for LHD cars instead of swapping or using a universal firewall?

fourvalleys > Flavien Vidal 12/21/2015 at 09:14

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They aren’t too bad. There was one for sale near me (LHD, Canadian import) for $3500 obo last fall. A guy I know bought it, did some mechanical work, and drove the heck out of it before selling. I passed on it since I got something a little cleaner, but you can still find a very serviceable example for under $10k if you’re patient.

Mine is a UK import and it wasn’t even that expensive. I’ve only put a couple thousand miles on it, and mostly done some small cosmetic/comfort upgrades, but it’s given me no major mechanical issues. The only real problems I’ve had were things I could have prevented, and I’ve solved for not a whole lot of money.

kerc // drives a mirage, so what? > The Parts Guy 12/21/2015 at 09:16

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Reminds me of a mini Checker in those colors!

fridgefreezer > KremerK3 12/21/2015 at 09:48

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I want one almost as badly as I want never to have an accident in one, which is lots.

“New” minis are getting dangerously cheap now...

Vince Pack > f86sabre 12/21/2015 at 10:43

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To answer the rust question - no. The newer ones still rust in the usual locations, though living in the south helps. Mine was restored in 2003 (it’s a ‘92 1275 with carb) but it has managed to form a little in the lower windscreen corners. Seems like the undercarriage stuff I killed during the resto is still dormant, though.

It’s about to get a new clutch and water pump, then it’s (sadly) going on the market. It’s at my brother’s shop in Alpharetta right now waiting on me to come spend the weekend doing the install.

kenhitch > fourvalleys 12/21/2015 at 13:28

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Hey I drive a BRZ too! You have excellent taste.

The Civic would be the more practical choice by far but... In the theoretical world where I could afford second car, I still wouldn’t pick one up unless it was an Si haha.

Still, I’d been under the impression they stopped building the Classic Mini a long long time ago. Ups my chances of getting my hands on one someday.

fourvalleys > kenhitch 12/21/2015 at 15:06

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Yep, if you’ve got a DD, a Mini makes a decent second car/weekend cruiser. You just have to be visible.

I don’t believe in practicality, either way. I’ve got two “fun” cars and a motorcycle and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, I’d have a bigger garage probably, but I’m happy with the three I’ve got.

signinsrlame > KremerK3 12/21/2015 at 15:58

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dude the ending of your post is EPIC

DirtMifflin > KremerK3 12/21/2015 at 16:41

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Not the first to say it but I laughed at the ending as well, bravo!

Jonah G > daender 12/22/2015 at 06:06

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As Flavien says the biggest stock engine is the 1275, late ones are fuel injected IIRC. People have been racing and tuning them for decades so there’s plenty of options and info out there to make all of the engines including the little 850cc much much more fun. The MG Metro Turbo shared the A-series engine so forced induction is an option if you can find the parts.

StalePhish > f86sabre 12/22/2015 at 08:01

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Unfortunately for you (and others like me), you can’t ship it to the states yet. Not a 1992, or not for another 2 years anyway until it hits its 25th birthday.

f86sabre > StalePhish 12/22/2015 at 08:02

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I could ship it, just can’t drive it on the streets. I’m a patient man.

StalePhish > f86sabre 12/22/2015 at 08:08

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Would U.S. Customs even let it in through? I’m not sure they would buy the excuse of “I won’t drive it for 2 years, I swear!”

f86sabre > StalePhish 12/22/2015 at 08:21

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Things get murky if you are importing for off road use and show. Just day dreaming anyway.

kenhitch > fourvalleys 12/22/2015 at 11:43

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You're a real human being and a real hero. What do you ride?

fourvalleys > kenhitch 12/22/2015 at 14:28

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I’ve got A ‘74 CB360. It’s not perfect by any means, but it’s a good bit of fun.

It’s giving me fits right now due to some electrical issues (hate ‘em more than anything), but it’s also the first day of winter in the Midwest and I’m still working on a motorcycle so I can’t really complain.

kenhitch > fourvalleys 12/22/2015 at 18:28

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Oh those are really cool! I’m about to start attempting to bring my cousin’s CB750 (unknown year) back to life. It'll be cool working with a Honda, I haven't been around em much, mostly Kawasakis and BMWs.

fourvalleys > kenhitch 12/22/2015 at 18:33

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I like CB750s, too. They can sound incredible. I’m a big fan of the weird sound you get from the CB360 though, very distinctive. Plus, it’s plenty of bike for me.