Description
Here at QuickandBig. com we are privileged to be able to offer to the market, on behalf of Diminutive by Z Cars, their newly factory built, high octane, turn key Suzuki Hayabusa powered, reimagined classic Mini. As a new built example, a Diminutive by Z Cars 6 month warranty accompanies our reimagined classic.
Our restomod Mini has just been completed by Diminutive by Z Cars to the highest of standards, it was built as a demonstrator for an international dealer, who is now taking a even more extreme Diminutive Mini instead. As such our mid Gen 2 Busa engined, rear wheel drive example is presented in as new condition, and benefits from having a huge specification.
Whilst it is presented here in left hand drive configuration, for the asking price, the Diminutive by Z Cars factory are able to convert it to right hand drive.
The story of Z Cars is compelling, nearly three decades of British engineering and ingenuity. Z Cars was originally founded in 1999, and quickly built up an almost cult following for its wild factory and kit built creations, its most popular engine swaps / conversations were for the Classic Mini.
Nearly two decades later the rights to the conversions and brand name were sold to David Rose, a long standing customer of Z Cars and a new company (Z Cars Evolution Ltd) was formed now based in Ashford, Kent.
David’s new company has invested significant time, engineering prowess and cash, developing the Z Cars brand into a bespoke manufacturer of turnkey, high octane, restomods, again based (but not exclusively) on the Classic Mini.
Z Cars Evolution staying true to the extreme Z Cars heritage, whilst offering new levels of refinement, safety, technology, and potential everyday usability. So much so, almost none of the original Z Cars kit components exist in a modern factory built car, its Z Cars DNA however is still firmly embedded in these awesome machines.
Z Cars Evolution have global aspirations for their continuation classics. As such they have recently rebranded as “Diminutive” by Z Cars, exclusively manufacturing in house, beautifully engineered, turnkey, extreme (up to 500bhp), restomods. These ever more extreme, advanced, technically accomplished, comfortable, safety focussed cars of the highest quality are attracting huge social media audiences and customers from around the world, for these bespoke high performance classics.
There is loads of great YouTube content, of recently completed Z Cars Evolution / Diminiutive by Z Cars in action.
In short, the crazy Z Cars ethos remains, but Diminutive by Z Cars, has moved reimagined Mini’s on to a higher level, to plagiarise a beer commercial of my youth, they are “probably the best restomod Classic Mini’s in the World”!
The Restomod scene for re-engineered iconic cars is growing at pace, you could argue that Z Cars were right in there at the beginning of the trend for Restomods. Indeed Diminutive by Z Cars heritage pre dates most of the new entrants into the restomod market. Their stunning “Mini’s reimagined” set the new bench mark, others try to imitate.
A quick “google” reveals what great value Diminutive by Z Cars, UK based enthusiast built Restomods are. It’s very easy to spend over £150k on a restomoded Ford Escort, over £250k on an Alfa, over £500k on a Volvo, and £600k on a Jaguar, there are of course many others. In the UK and across the pond other classic Mini Restomod manufacturers, are marketing their offerings at £100-200k plus.
The stunning, newly built, Diminutive by Z Cars example offered here, offers the modernity of a high revving 1340cc, Suzuki Hayabusa motor cycle engine mounted amidships, this factory built example is not only a track day warrior, its fully trimmed and useable as an extreme daily driver.
You have the potential to be its first owner since completion. To have one built to this specification would costs over £65, 000. Beat the 9-12 month waiting list, and make a significant saving versus the list price.
The 1. 3 Gen 2, 1340cc Suzuki Hayabusa engine, originated in the legendary Suzuki super bike of the same name. At launch back in 1999, the “Busa” was the fasted standard production motor cycle of all time (194 mph), there were even calls to ban it! Since then its performance and tunability (there is a huge turbo charging scene for the Busa engine) has made it a firm favourite amongst petrol heads (have a search on YouTube for “Guy Martin 300mph” to see his 820bhp Hayabusa). From the factory the Gen 2 Hayabusa produced 197bhp at a bonkers 10, 100 rpm (11, 000rpm redline). In the reimagined Mini, that’s driven through a six speed sequential box with clutchless shifts, to the rear wheels via its Quaife drive box and LSD. The car weighs in at 725kg, developes 197bhp, that’s over 270 bhp / ton. With all the theatre of clutchless, sequential gear shifts! There are none of the historic compromises associated with bike engine cars, the 1340cc Busa engine develops good low down torque, there is no chain drive or get out to push reverse, that’s all handled by the Quaife drive box, with dash board operated reverse.
Our Classic Mini (TMA183V) was first registered in 1980 and as such is over 40 years old, it is therefore registered as a “historic vehicle”. As such is currently road tax and ULEZ exempt, should the owner wish also MOT exempt. We will of course put a fresh MOT on it for its new potential owner’s benefit.
Briefly our, factory built example build was completed in 2023 (a number of build photographs accompany the car), it comes complete with a seamless tubular steel “Safety Devices” space frame, using ROPT (Rollover Protection Tube), with detachable rear cradle to facilitate easy maintenance and future engine swaps (eg Eco Boost 1. 6 / 2. 3, VAG 2. 0TFSI / Honda K20), its exhaustive spec includes:
· Restored and reinforced steel shell.
· Volvo Rebel Blue paint.
· Taller driver spec
· Sportspack arches
· Stainless bumper set
· Gen 2 Hayabusa 1340cc engine.
· Drive-by-wire with variable throttle mapping.
· Oil cooler
· QBA11R 3. 0 gear transfer system with actuator operated reverse.
· Z Cars street spec chassis incorporating:
· Front Subframe with double wishbone coilover suspension
· Modular removable engine cradle with trailing arm coilover suspension
· LHD. (Can be converted to RHD)
· Z Cars aluminum fluids package.
· Front mounted radiator
· 34L fuel tank
· Cobra Nogaro sports seats.
· Z Cars Dashboard.
· CANBus electronics package incorporating:
· ECUMaster PMU-16
· ECUMaster EMU Black ECU
· ECUMaster ADU 5” display
· CANBus loom
· Z Cars steering wheel controls
· Flatshifter
· Rev-matching
· Cruise control
· Variable traction control
· Removable rear screen.
· Z Cars 10-piece covered bulkhead.
· Z Cars 2. 5” sports exhaust.
· OBP pedal box.
· Z Cars big brake kit.
· Z Cars adjustable steering column for reach and rake.
· 7x13 Minilight wheels with Yokohama A539 175x50R13 tyres.
· Bearmach LED Headlights.
· Removable steering wheel.
Follow the link below to see the Mini on the dyno, the gear changes and noise are epic:
- details above
Invariably, these type of cars have traditionally been labelled as track-focused cars. With the Restomod bias, this one has been built to be used more regularly, be it a Friday commute or for a longer journey perhaps to a car event. Arriving at that destination a little more relaxed with the aid of the traction and cruise control.
As a new built example, a 6 month warranty is also provided by Diminutive by Z Cars for the lucky new owners benefit.
Ongoing support (and a growing community of enthusiast’s worldwide) is only a phone call or click away, David and his team are passionate about what they do and are accessible to their customers.
It is of course HPI clear, a full HPI report will be available to potential purchasers.
Many thanks for wading through our lengthy description, we believe it’s better to describe our cars fully. It is not in our interest to waste your time or ours, with inaccurate or incomplete descriptions.
Our brand new, factory built, Busa powered, Diminutive reimagined Mini, really does tick all the QuickandBig. com boxes, it is great value, bang on trend, very quick, beautifully presented, useable as a extreme daily / Friday driver and totally unique.
Importantly our reimagined Mini doesn’t come with some of the compromises associated with extreme, roof less, kit / track focused “weekend“ cars, it is potentially usable as a very cool daily driver, rather than being left to languish in the garage from one MOT to the next!
Please visit the photographs again as they form part of the description, familiarise yourselves with our terms and conditions (online at Quick and Big) and contact us, to arrange a viewing / test drive by appointment. Any inspection is welcome. Finance available (subject to status). Part exchange particularly if it’s quick, big or unusual a pleasure.
