RARE 1991 ROVER MINI ERA TURBO SPOTTED AT AN UPCOMING MECUM AUCTION - MUCH WANT!
The 1989-1991 Mini ERA Turbo is a fascinating chapter in the storied history of the Mini, representing a unique blend of British automotive heritage and performance tuning. Here's a detailed look at this special edition, its history, and what made it stand out. By the late 1980s, the Mini had already become an icon in the automotive world. However, the classic Mini design had been in production for nearly three decades, and while it remained popular, its performance was beginning to lag behind more modern competitors. Enter ERA (Engineering Research & Application), a British company known for its engineering expertise and motorsport pedigree, particularly with the ERA Single-Seater racing cars of the 1930s. The idea behind the Mini ERA Turbo was to breathe new life into the Mini by giving it a significant boost in performance, turning it into a proper pocket rocket. The project was aimed at creating a high-performance version of the Mini that could compete with hot hatches of the time, while still retaining the charm and appeal of the classic Mini design. The Mini ERA Turbo was based on the Mini City but was heavily modified both mechanically and cosmetically. Under the hood, it was fitted with a turbocharged version of the A-Series engine, which was a 1275cc unit. This engine was equipped with a Garrett T3 turbocharger, the same unit used in the MG Metro Turbo, but it was slightly detuned for the Mini to ensure reliability and to make it more manageable in the small, lightweight chassis. The car produced 70 kW (94 hp) with 150 Nm of torque and that meant it could hit 100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds and had a top speed of 185 km/h. That may not sound fast by today’s standard, but this is a classic Mini shape and that will feel like 350 km/h in something modern. The performance figures were impressive for the time, especially in such a small car.
To handle the increased power, ERA made several upgrades to the Mini's suspension and braking systems. The car featured uprated shock absorbers, stiffer springs, and a thicker front anti-roll bar. The braking system was also enhanced with larger discs at the front and drums at the rear, with servo assistance for better stopping power. The Mini ERA Turbo rode on specially designed 13-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in low-profile tyres, giving it a more aggressive stance and improved grip. The steering remained the classic Mini’s unassisted rack-and-pinion setup, providing a direct and engaging driving experience. The car was equipped with a full body kit, including flared wheel arches, a deeper front spoiler, side skirts, and a rear apron. The interior was also upgraded, with more luxurious materials and a higher level of equipment than the standard Mini. The seats were sportier, with better lateral support, and were often trimmed in leather. The dashboard was more modern and featured additional gauges, including a boost gauge to monitor the turbocharger’s performance. There was also an ERA-branded steering wheel and a distinctive gear knob. Seeing one come up for sale is rare, so this one at an upcoming Mecum auction will surely sell fast and for good money. Just 436 ERA Turbos were produced, and this is ERA no. RJ1185. This one features a custom-built upgraded turbo kit with a GT2860RS turbocharger and a custom downpipe and exhaust, an SU HIF44 carburettor, a 4-speed manual transmission, a custom Dark Metallic Blue exterior, the Japanese market-specific ERA widebody kit, a Gray Connolly leather interior with Recaro bucket seats and it has undergone a Valtain shocks and coil spring conversion. We’re not sure what it will fetch, but it should be a decent amount. We did see this car fetch $27,500 a while back, which translates to around R500,000 at a recent current conversion.
Take a look at the YouTube video that was filmed on a potato, but still gives you an idea of what made these rare little turbocharged Minis so cool. These things are just awesome and many people have never heard of their existence: Classic Mini ERA Turbo Rare | Classic Mini Workshop
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