1987 Austin Rover Mini MKII Convertible

Description for Austin MINI MKII 1987

With vintage looks and handling, this beautifully preserved 1987 Austin Mini MKII Convertible is a wonderful opportunity to own a great example of the car that started it all.
Less than 23,000 ORIGINAL miles. (36,000 kilometers). This is a 4 speed manual transmission, LEFT SIDE DRIVE (correct side for Americans) Mini that has clearly been kept in garages for its life. It runs like a champ. I drove it on the Autobaun and ran at 110 km/hr (70mph).

The seats have been recently redone and are in excellent shape.

I had the joy of driving this fantastic Mini for 400+ miles around Germany and another 400+ miles across the Pacific Northwest, and I've NEVER experienced so much attention. EVERY STOP LIGHT someone rolls down their window and asks about the car. In town- men, women and children stop and smile and wave. Its like being in a parade every day with this gem.

Essentially every front-wheel-drive compact car that followed duplicated the Mini's ground breaking design, although very few, including its modern namesake, have ever managed to duplicate its combination of endearing personality and go-cart-like handling.
And while you may think the current Mini is small, this one is positively tiny, which is the whole point. Similar to other British makes, Minis can rust in the most demonic ways possible, but since this one benefits from decades of development and instant-collectable status, it has never really seen inclement weather and only has 36,000 kilometers on the clock. The doors fit nicely, the hood gaps are tight, and the trunk seals up nicely, all suggesting a high-quality car that has always been properly cared for.
Inside, the diminutive external dimensions are stretched to their limits in every possible way, resulting in a surprisingly comfortable passenger compartment, particularly for front seat occupants.

The steering wheel is, of course, on the"correct" side despite its British origins, and there are big, round gauges ahead of the driver.
A 4-speed manual transmission sticks up directly from the transmission tunnel and offers decent action and positive gear selection. In back, two passengers will be perfectly happy for a cross-town jaunt, but if you're going farther than a few miles, it's best used for storage, although the trunk itself is surprisingly roomy as well.
The engine is a gutsy 998 cc inline-4 that runs superbly. It's not detailed for show under the bonnet, but with good maintenance throughout the years and only 36k kilometers on the clock, it has many fun years ahead of it.
It starts easily, idles well, and pulls the little car around with genuine enthusiasm. The suspension offers a reasonable compromise between ride and handling, with the conical springs offering a modest amount of damping, so the shocks themselves don't need to be too stiff to do a good job. The low center of gravity combined with having the wheels pushed out to the very corners of the body give it instantaneous reflexes.
There a few signs of wear- A small crack on the side mirror, some of the dash snaps have caved-in, and the driver's door has some signs of minor paint repair if you look closely in the right lighting.
Be advised that there is no hard top included with this car. It is a full-time convertible and only comes with the vinyl snap down cover. Some of the snaps don't match up.
I purchased this car in Germany and followed all of the requirements to import and register the car in the United States. I can help with this process and provide all of the customs and EPA documentations required.
I can ship this car to you. You pay for shipping.
Let me know if you want any specific pics. Here is a video of the car: https://vimeo.com/366656861/f403495107
Vin SASSI2S1S21334864