1993 Rover Mini Mayfair 1275

Highlights

• Rally upgrades

• Bucket seats

• Recent servicing

• 1275 A-plus engine

• Performance upgrades

Overview

Sixty horsepower may not sound like much to modern ears, but when you put into a tiny little car which weighs under 700 kg you see the full benefit of each and every horse pulling its weight. And remember that when the A-series engine was introduced in the 1950s it managed to splutter its way to just 28 bhp, making this 1,275 cc A-plus engined Mini positively space-age in comparison. 

By the time this car was built, the Mini had been in production for well over thirty years, and had gone through many iterations. But the basic formula had stayed the same: it was a small, simple, brilliantly designed car which was loved by first-time drivers and rally professionals alike. In fact it was sporting success in events such as the Monte Carlo Rally which showed the world that the plucky little underdog could hold its own against larger, more powerful and more expensive cars.

This particular example has leant into its rallying heritage, doffing its cap to  Paddy Hopkirk MBE and the infamous '33 EJB' car, adorning number 37 on its doors and finished in flame red with a white roof. In fact there are still plenty of rallies and sporting events which would welcome a car such as this. So you too can replicate the successes of the Mini during the golden era of rallying, even if you can't pedal quite as well as Paddy.

There have been a few upgrades fitted to this car, including 10-inch disc brakes, a Maniflow exhaust system, and the engine even bears a Speedwell Performance Engineering plaque. 

The interior has been improved by the addition of red and black trimmed bucket seats, for a little more comfort and support while you’re hurtling around an alpine switchback on your way to victory. 

Whether you’re a competitive driver yourself, or you prefer something a little more sedate, this classic Mini has a lot to offer. And it’ll put a smile on your face whenever you’re behind the wheel. 

History and documentation

• Registered 31 Jul 1993

• Collection of recent invoices and MOT certificates

• One key

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 16 Feb 2026

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Owned by the current keeper since Mar 2022

• In Apr 1999 the car was declared as a Category C insurance loss: damaged but repairable

• HPI clear

Interior

• Much of this Mini’s interior remains charmingly original, including the walnut dashboard 

• The front seats have been replaced with black and red bucket seats

• These are in excellent condition, with no obvious wear or damage that we could see

• Manual seat adjusters and window winders

• Black carpets clean and tidy 

• Original velour door cards in good condition for their age 

• Small, leather-trimmed steering wheel

• The walnut veneer on the dashboard adds a touch of class

• The lacquer is peeling in a few places 

• Full complement of gauges, including auxiliary voltmeter, clock and oil pressure gauge

• Alba stereo/CD player with AUX input

• Dashboard-mounted choke pull

• Original rear seat upholstery

• Original headlining, which features a couple of small rips 

• Small boot to the rear

• Spare wheel, jack and wheel brace stored in the boot

Exterior

• Unmistakable classic Mini styling

• Bright red paint with a white roof

• Rally extras include four driving lights, numbers on the doors, and large mudflaps

• ‘Rally Monte Carlo’ rally plate on the bootlid

• The paint is generally in fair condition

• A few cracks, chips, and scratches throughout 

• The seller notes a few corrosion spots on the roof gutters and slight wear on the bulkhead

• Some areas of fading 

• 10-inch ‘rose petal’ alloy wheels 

• Some scuffs to the wheel rims

• Four new tyres were fitted in Feb 2025

• Plenty of chrome trim

• Some light pitting and scratches to the chrome

• The front grille surround is missing 

• Classic style silver-on-black number plates 

• Lucas seven-inch headlights 

• There is an invoice on file for fitting new offside headlamp unit and replacing a few bulbs

• The seller tells us that the rear subframe has been replaced 

• There is some surface corrosion visible on the underside 

• Centre-exit exhaust

Mechanical

• 1,275 cc four-cylinder A-series engine

• Produces 59 bhp 

• Four-speed manual transmission

• Front-wheel drive 

• The rocker cover bears a Speedwell Performance Engineering plaque

• SU carburettor, with cone air filter 

• Servo-assisted brakes 

• The suspension and drivetrain components show some surface corrosion 

• The steering rack was replaced in Apr 2023

• The head gasket was replaced in Mar 2023

• There is a little oily residue on the sump, as usual 

• In May 2022 the indicator switch and a CV joint boot were replaced 

• The seller tells us that the battery has recently been replaced

• Other reported improvements included 10-inch disc brakes and a Maniflow exhaust 

• Said to run and drive well 

Summary

In all, this appears to be a very usable example of a classic Mini. It’s not so shiny that you’d be afraid to go for a drive, so you can happily take it out whenever and wherever you want. And that 1275 engine gives you plenty of power to play with when you fancy driving with a little more flair. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Southampton, Hampshire.