This 1996 Rover Mini Cooper is #278 equipped with the John Cooper Si Conversion kit, which saw the fuel-injected 1.3L inline-four fitted with an upgraded cylinder head along with a K&N induction kit and Maniflow exhaust system. It underwent a cosmetic and mechanical refurbishment in 2012 that involved installation of replacement body panels before a repaint in Charcoal with a White Diamond roof as well as rebuilds of the engine and four-speed manual transaxle. The car was acquired by the seller out of the UK in 2025 and subsequently brought to the US. Equipped with Sport Pack–style 13″ wheels and arch extensions, it also features front disc brakes, quad Wipac driving lights, and a power-operated folding fabric roof. The right-hand-drive interior has Cumulus leather upholstery, an airbag steering wheel, and a Bluetooth-capable Pioneer Stereo. This Mk VII Mini Cooper is now offered by the seller at no reserve with a numbered John Cooper Garages certificate, UK service records, and a clean Massachusetts title in their father’s name.

The car left the factory in Charcoal with a White Diamond roof (RNE). It was refinished following rust repairs performed circa 2012 in the UK that are said to have included installation of a replacement scuttle panel and doors. Exterior details include a power-operated folding fabric roof, Sport Pack–style wheel arch extensions, quad Wipac driving lights with covers, Cooper badging, and a John Cooper Garages decal in the rear window. The seller notes a bend in the bonnet as well as various paint imperfections that can be seen up-close in the gallery below. A set of Lucas-branded light covers is included in the sale.

Sport Pack–style 13″ alloy wheels are mounted with 175/50 Yokohama A539 tires. Stopping power is provided by front disc and rear drum brakes.

The front bucket seats and rear bench are upholstered in Cumulus leather with red piping. Wood veneer trim, red carpets, and custom grey and red door cards are additional accents in the right-hand-drive cabin. An aftermarket center console is equipped with vents for the heater, and Pioneer Bluetooth stereo is linked to speakers and tweeters on the parcel shelf. The carpet is lifting by the passenger-side door jamb.

An airbag steering wheel is accompanied by brushed aluminum gearshift and parking brake levers. The wheel fronts a tachometer, a combination gauge, and a 110-mph speedometer as well as a centrally-mounted clock. The five-digit odometer shows 5k miles and is believed to have rolled over. The seller states that the speedometer reads higher than the actual vehicle speed.

Conversion number 278-Si appears on a plaque mounted below the driver’s seat, and a corresponding certificate from John Cooper Garages Limited will also accompany the car.

The multi-point injection (MPi) 1.3L A-series inline-four was rebuilt as part of the aforementioned refurbishment and features the following components from the John Cooper Si Conversion kit:

• Polished and ported cylinder head fitted with larger inlet valves
• Finned aluminum rocker cover
• K&N induction kit
• Maniflow long-center-branch (LCB) manifold and exhaust system

The engine is also equipped with a 52mm throttle body and silicone radiator hoses. Compression test readouts can be viewed in the gallery. The seller reports flaking coating in the engine bay and on various underside components.

Power is sent to the front wheels through a four-speed manual transaxle that was rebuilt at the same time as the engine. The seller notes that the clutch assembly and slave cylinder were replaced in March 2025.

Decoding the VIN provides the following information:

• SAX – MG-Rover
• XN – Mini 1300
• N – Cooper
• A – Two-door sedan
• Z – 1300 MPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
• E – RHD, manual transmission, 2.76 final drive ratio
• B – 1300
• D – Longbridge assembly plant
• 135679 – Sequential build number
• Paint RNE – Charcoal with a White Diamond Roof
• Trim LQT – Cumulus leather