List of Mini-based cars explained

The British Motor Corporation's Mini has been used as the basis for numerous kit cars and specials. Some are designed to look like the rare Mini Moke. Below is a partial list. There may be duplicates in this list as several cars emerged more than once from companies under different ownership.

Australia

Belgium

Canada

Denmark

France

Germany

Italy

Japan

Malaysia

New Zealand

Portugal

South Africa

Switzerland

United Kingdom

(Built from 1968 to 1975 by Auto Bodycraft Conversions: William (Bill) Powell & Ken Heather at the Pensnett Trading Estate, Kingswinford, Staffordshire)

United States

Venezuela

In early 1990 in Facorca (Fábrica de Motores y Carrocerías Cordillera) in the factory located on Mariara (Carabobo State, Venezuela), have the idea of building Minis made of Fiber-Glass is gestated.

After more than a year, in April 1990 an agreement is reached with RoverGroup Ltd. to obtain support, technical supervision, and to provide all the mechanical parts as well as all electric components, Facorca would assume the body, interior trim, radiator, radio, wheels, and tires. The factory molds itself for a maximum production of 10 cars per day, but the normal production would eventually become of 6 cars per day.

In December 1991, the series production commences, assembling total of 113 Mini Cord on that month. Two basic models with 1000cc enter the market (the project of launching a 1275cc engine was never achieved): The Mini Cord FA, deluxe version, which brought amongst other things, air conditioning, complete leather interior trim, central console with tachometer, chrome bumpers, spotlights, Minilite Type GB wheels ; and the SB Mini Cord, Standard Version, with cloth interior trim, and steel wheels with deluxe wheel cups. All Colombian versions came with Minilite type GB wheels.In 1992 768 Mini Cords were produced, specifically for the Colombia, Venezuela, and Antilles market, of which 164 were imported to Colombia. That was the best year of production.

If you visit the BMIHT museum (British Motor Industry Heritage Trust) you'll be able to find, in a privileged place, amidst the most important Minis, a Red Mini Cord FA, with white roof.

By 1993, a few improvements are made to both models, changing the interior trim to a better one, much more comfortable, original Rover rearview mirrors, and new design on the forward emblem.

The 1993 Production descends to 391 units, due to the different economical problems, and problems among the partners, which drive the Factory to an almost decisive shut down. 62 Units are officially imported to Colombia, and the Distributors in Colombia, Mini City, cease to function as well.

In 1994 it found itself in a very difficult financial situation, but the success in sales and of possible exportations to Colombia take the company to the hands of Abisaad Janna & Cia, to which become convinced (by the partners left at Facorca) to re-open production.

Projects of assembling Mini Cords restart, and two Beach Minis prototypes get to be built first, two unique convertibles, a conventional Mini with Kit Cooper 1.0 with 10-inch wheels, and another standard engine and Pimlico Style.

Together with those, the Mini Cord with John Cooper 1.0 Kit deluxe is launched, with 13 inch Revolution wheels, Three-Clock-Central Drive Board, and Leather Interior. All should have been silver, although, because of special requests, some were painted otherwise, on other colors.

The total production with Cooper and the standard versions by 1994 was of 24 units a great deal of these series reach Colombia, and all this due to the Economical situation of Facorca. This takes Abisaad Jana & Cia, to cancel their contract.

In 1995 only 16 units are assembled and commences the dismantling the installations.

Between the years 1991 and 1995, only 1310 Mini Cord were produced, in the standard and the Deluxe Version, Cooper and Convertibles, which takes it to be the smallest or at least of the smallest Mini Productions of a Mini ever.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Booij, Jeroen . 15 March 2009 . Maximum Mini . Dorchester England . Veloce Publishing Limited . 978-1845841546 .
  2. Book: Booij, Jeroen . 2014 . Maximum Mini 2 . Booij Books . 978-9090281926 .

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