BaT Auction: VTEC-Powered 1984 Rover Mini

This 1984 Rover Mini is a left-hand-drive example that reportedly spent time in Japan before being imported to Canada and acquired by the seller in British Columbia in October 2017. Work has since included installing a JDM-spec 1.8-liter Honda B18C VTEC inline-four and a five-speed manual transaxle, along with a Mini Tec MTB2 front subframe kit, a detachable front clip, a trunk-mounted aluminum fuel cell, and a limited-slip differential. The car is finished in blue-gray over a patterned black cloth interior, and additional modifications include fender flares, 13″ JBW wheels, a Wilwood pedal box, QA1 coilover front shocks, NVU Aviator gauges, and more as outlined below. This Mini is now offered with parts receipts and British Columbia registration.

The exterior is said to have been repainted in blue-gray during previous ownership and features a contrasting black roof and fender flares. The front fenders, bumper, and grill are affixed with Dzus fasteners and can be detached as a single unit for access to the engine bay. Additional equipment includes LED headlights, pop-out rear windows, and a center-exit exhaust pipe. Paint touch-ups are pointed-out in the image gallery below.

JBW Special Rallye 13″ wheels are mounted with Yokohama A539 tires that measure 175/50. The steering rack and tie rod ends were reportedly replaced by the seller, and modifications include front QA1 coilover shocks and MiniTec chromoly axle shafts.

The cabin features patterned black cloth seats, black vinyl door panels, and a three-spoke steering wheel. The seller states that the floor pans were treated with POR-15 and refinished with GM trunk spatter paint following removal of the original tar-based insulation. A Wilwood pedal box and hydraulic cylinders have been fitted, and a custom switch panel is mounted below the gauges. The rear seat belts have been removed but are included in the sale.

The instrument binnacle houses NVU Aviator 3-1 combination gauges including a 240-km/h speedometer and an 8k-rpm tachometer. The integrated digital odometer shows just under 85k kilometers (~53k miles), approximately 130 of which have been added by the seller, though total mileage is unknown.

A Speedmaster aluminum ten-gallon fuel cell is mounted in the trunk and utilizes a Walbro inline pump, Holley billet filters, and braided lines.

The JDM 1.8-liter B18C engine features VTEC variable valve timing and routes power to the front wheels through a five-speed S80 manual transaxle. The engine was installed by Steveston Motor Co. of Richmond, British Columbia utilizing the following components:

  • MiniTec MTB2 front subframe
  • MiniTec aluminum engine mounts
  • MiniTec aluminum radiator
  • Electric fan
  • Honda OBD2 ECU
  • Rywire engine harness
  • Speedway Universal 12v chassis harness
  • Exedy KHC13 OEM-replacement clutch
  • Exedy HF01 flywheel

The car is featured in the video above, which includes build details, a tour of its features, and a drive-by clip.

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