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1989 Mini 30 Custom
*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT C insurance loss in 11/2001***
Highlights
- Fully de-seamed body, rebuilt in 2013
- BMW K Series cylinder head conversion with 1,380 cc block
- Highly presentable inside and out
- Over £5,000 spent during the last six months
- Attention-grabbing looks and matching performance
The Appeal
The Mini Thirty Custom was introduced in June 1989 and was just one of myriad special editions offered throughout the little car’s 41-year production. The edition was based on the Mini Mayfair and just 3,000 were manufactured for the UK market - making them quite rare.
This example is anything but ordinary...
In 2013, it underwent a remarkable transformation, with its 1,380 cc A Series block gaining a BMW K Series 16v twin-cam cylinder head conversion built with Omega pistons, Kawasaki ZZ-R 1100 C carburettors, H-beam con-rods and straight-cut gearbox. Naturally, the remaining mechanicals were suitably upgraded too, with braided Aeroquip brake hoses, negative camber dialled in via special lower suspension arms, an Adjusta Ride suspension kit and Gmax uprated shock absorbers.
There's a fully de-seamed body shell with a quick-release bonnet and grille, P700 halogen headlamp tripod conversion and four supplementary driving lamps. Classic chrome bumpers with over-riders and corner bars are fitted, as are 'torpedo' door mirrors, a set of five Ultralite 7×13 alloy wheels with polished rims. The car also wears a Group 5 Race wheel arch kit, Austin Cooper S badges, bee-sting aerial, Mountney steering wheel and dual Aston-style fuel filler caps.
In 2013, it underwent a remarkable transformation, with its 1,380 cc A Series block gaining a BMW K Series 16v twin-cam cylinder head conversion built with Omega pistons, Kawasaki ZZ-R 1100 C carburettors, H-beam con-rods and straight-cut gearbox. Naturally, the remaining mechanicals were suitably upgraded too, with braided Aeroquip brake hoses, negative camber dialled in via special lower suspension arms, an Adjusta Ride suspension kit and Gmax uprated shock absorbers.
There's a fully de-seamed body shell with a quick-release bonnet and grille, P700 halogen headlamp tripod conversion and four supplementary driving lamps. Classic chrome bumpers with over-riders and corner bars are fitted, as are 'torpedo' door mirrors, a set of five Ultralite 7×13 alloy wheels with polished rims. The car also wears a Group 5 Race wheel arch kit, Austin Cooper S badges, bee-sting aerial, Mountney steering wheel and dual Aston-style fuel filler caps.
A substantial collection of photographs records both the bodywork and mechanical rebuilds, which leaves little doubt to the exceptional level of craftsmanship achieved. The current owner has since spent around £5,000 sorting out the finer details, resulting in a thoroughly sorted example of what could certainly claim to the the 'ultimate classic Mini'.
The History & Paperwork
- Registered new on 29th September 1989 by Austin Rover Main Dealers Seward Highcliffe Ltd of Dorset
- It remained a standard Mini Thirty Custom until 2013
- There is a sizeable history file which contains the original dealer-stamped service booklet with supporting invoices for general maintenance and repairs undertaken during the car’s life up to 2013
- There are hundreds of invoices totalling in excess of £17,000 for components alone
- V5C and an MOT to March 2025, plus the original Mini Handbook and a guide on ‘How to Build a BMW K-Series Twin-Cam Head on a British Leyland A-Series Engine’, by renowned engineering firm Specialist Components of Norfolk
- To accompany the box of supporting paperwork will be a Mini Owners Workshop Manual and a Mini Service and Repair Manual by Haynes
- Currently registered as 1 GJF, but upon sale the original number G321 CFX will be transferred back onto the car
Nearly £5,000 recently spent on further improvements and less than 80 miles have been covered since all work was carried out by a factory-trained Ferrari engineer.
The work included:
The work included:
- Fitted LED headlamps, and connected driving and fog Lamps
- Removed engine and gearbox tidied up engine bay and repainted engine and refitted
- Fitted New heavy-duty clutch, and crankshaft oil seal
- Fitted new clutch slave cylinder
- Fitted new camshaft oil seals and replaced front cover gasket
- Fitted new core plugs in cylinder Head
- Replaced engine breather and water hoses in silicon
- Fitted new drain plug to radiator
- Fitted new cap on brake fluid reservoir
- Fitted new suspension ball Joints
- Replaced gear change bellows
- Replaced front brake pads, adjusted rear brakes and bleed system
- Fitted 4 new tyres
- Fitted new Cobra RS sports seats
- New locking fuel cap
- New ignition and locking barrel
- Replaced Ignition switch and starter relay
- Machine polished and carnauba wax applied
- Rebuilt carburettors and fitted new parts
An insurance marker was placed on the vehicle in 2001 following light front end damage to one wing and slam panel. The repair invoice – a copy of which is in the history file – confirms the damage amounted to just £350 and its ‘write-off’ status was a reflection of the value of the car at that time.
The Condition
- Body shell was de-seamed to an impeccable standard
- Superb Flame Red paintwork
- Quick-release bonnet and grille
- P700 halogen headlamp tripod conversion and four supplementary driving lamps
- Classic chrome bumpers with over-riders and corner bars
- 'Torpedo' door mirrors
- Ultralite 7×13 alloy wheels with polished rims
- Group 5 Race wheel arch kit
- Austin Cooper S badges
- Mountney steering wheel
- Bee sting aerial
- Dual filler flaps
From the outset in 2013, one of the project’s most important parameters was to ensure that the original Mini charm was preserved throughout.
Finished in Flame Red, this customised Mini 30 Custom demands attention with a vibrant shine and highly polished finish from the expensive bare metal repaint, which is fully documented in a photo album.
Finished in Flame Red, this customised Mini 30 Custom demands attention with a vibrant shine and highly polished finish from the expensive bare metal repaint, which is fully documented in a photo album.
All the brightwork presents in exemplary condition, aside from ever so slight pitting on the rear number plate lamp cover and around near side headlamp surround, no doubt incurred in the eight years since the car’s transformation.
While the interior was updated to a high degree, its iconic Mini charm has indeed been retained.
There are new Cobra RS sports seats in matching black with red piping have been fitted with the original leather / lightning rear seats along with the similarly clad door cards present in very good condition. The drilled escutcheons on the doors and seat adjusters are a nice decorative touch.
To lift the interior, a set of quality bright red carpets are fitted and features such as the piano-black dashboard with accurate fuel and water temperature gauge , chrome fixtures and Mountney sports steering wheel complete the aesthetic.
To lift the interior, a set of quality bright red carpets are fitted and features such as the piano-black dashboard with accurate fuel and water temperature gauge , chrome fixtures and Mountney sports steering wheel complete the aesthetic.
The Mechanics
- 1,380 cc A Series block
- BMW K Series 16v twin-cam motorcycle cylinder head
- Omega pistons
- Kawasaki ZZ-R 1100 C carburettors
- H-beam con-rods and straight-cut gearbox
- Straight-cut gearbox
- Recent top-end engine rebuild and carburettor rebuild
The no-expense-spared engine build is fully documented with a significant financial outlay in order to achieve something unique amongst its peers. The car has since undergone a further cylinder head and carb rebuild so is reported to run and drive very well.
Designed and prepared by renowned bespoke engineers, Specialist Components of Norfolk, the powerplant consists of the original A Series engine, a BMW K Series 16v twin-cam motorcycle cylinder head engineered to include the 1,380cc block, Omega pistons, Kawasaki ZZ-R 1100 C carburettors and H-beam con-rods and straight cut gearbox.
Designed and prepared by renowned bespoke engineers, Specialist Components of Norfolk, the powerplant consists of the original A Series engine, a BMW K Series 16v twin-cam motorcycle cylinder head engineered to include the 1,380cc block, Omega pistons, Kawasaki ZZ-R 1100 C carburettors and H-beam con-rods and straight cut gearbox.
Common with such conversions is the necessity to use a redesigned bonnet and wings in order to allow the engine to fit. However, the use of bespoke engine mountings has meant that those all-important panel shapes remain.
A rolling-road test in June 2017 confirmed the engine output at 135bhp. The ‘Adjusta Ride’ suspension kit and Gmax uprated shock absorbers give the car a perfect stance but with none of the original Mini gravitas lost.
Completing the engineering revamp is a Sportex performance exhaust system with a high-end Klarius silencer.
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.
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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]
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