This blue 1997 Rover Mini Cooper was inspected for a client at USS Osaka auction on 21 October 2016, for use as a parts / donor car.
Condition was quite poor overall as expected with the grade of 3. While there was no serious structural rust or damage it was leaking oil quite heavily with an obvious puddle of oil underneath after sitting for only a day or two, and appeared to have had a hard life.
Floors and underbody looked OK in terms of damage / rust. Small past repair to the left front fender, repainted and slightly off colour.
Paint was quite faded elsewhere and the whole car needed repainting, this is typical of older Minis as the original factory paint was not of a high standard.
Chrome parts were pitted and needed rechroming. Fender flares on the front were quite damaged and barely hanging on, as well as being cracked in quite a few places and having rust around where they attach.
Interior had typical wear and tear with wrinkled seats, worn steering wheel etc. Clearcoat on the wood paneling was quite cracked and peeling. It was however a heavy smokers car with a strong smell. Carpets were quite worn.
Engine needed an overhaul.
Pictures show additional faults.
This 1997 Rover Mini Cooper was eligible for import under the SEVS import regulations for Australia.
It sold for 390,000 Yen FOB which would have been approx. $13,300 complied in Australia at the time (at 79.87 Yen to the dollar), plus the cost of repairs / restoration.
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Hi Geoff, all good here, hope you’re well. Thinking of moving up to the next model series, I think its 2005 to 2008. Note the last one was 2003, it had 58,000 kms and is in great condition so you have set the bar high. Please let me know my prospects, thanks.