1996 Rover Mini Cabriolet - 10,661 Miles

Following on from the success of the Lamm cabriolet, marketed through Rover dealers during 1991, Rover launched its own Cabriolet at the NEC Motor Show in October 1992. Considering that engineering a convertible from the Mini bodyshell was no small task, it was a brave job to take on but, with anticipated demand in Japan shoring up confidence, building an open-topped Mini was seen as a gamble worth taking.

In fact, RSP (Rover Special Products) continued the policy of outsourcing jobs like this and sought the assistance of two design and engineering companies, Karmann and Tickford, to push forward with the concept. Karmann in Germany had been involved in particular with the convertible versions of the Volkswagen Golf as well as the Ford Escort and Tickford’s expertise was with the convertible roof assemblies which it had been instrumental in producing for the MG RV8, Jaguar XJ-SC and later, the Lotus Elan.

Rover Cabriolets were all built on the same production line as the standard Mini at Longbridge as mechanically, they were identical to the SPi Rover Mini Cooper. When they were re-introduced in June 1993, only two colours were available; Nightfire Red or Caribbean Blue, however, in 1994, a third colour, Metallic British Racing Green, was added. In production until 1996, it's generally accepted that 1,081 of these rare models managed to find homes.

This smart, manual gearbox, example dates from 1996 and is, indeed, finished in Metallic British Racing Green. It was supplied by Palmsville Rover  in London and the car's history file contains the New Vehicle Order form dated 24th April 1996, the original Palmsville Rover Vehicle Sales Invoice dated 11th July 1996 and a letter from them dated 12th July 1996 confirming that this Mini Cabriolet, N281 DMP, was one of the last of its type to be built is also included. The file also contains the original stamped service book, book pack, service and maintenance invoices, old MOTs, a period Mini Cabriolet Brochure and the current MOT which is valid until August and displays 'No Advisories'. It's been enjoyed by its current owner for the last 15 years with just one former registered keeper and has covered an indicated 10,661 miles from new (at the time of cataloguing).