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[saltiersnack]

Hi everyone, as you can see I'm fairly new to the forum (And intend to lurk for the most part) but I just had a few questions that I don't really seem to be able to find adequate answers for.

 

I've found that around 1992/1993 there was a Special Edition Mini to commemorate the Italian Job (Naturally called, the Mini Italian Job) 

 

Now I myself have a 1991 Mini Cooper SE (Carb) and was really wondering if there was a particular place I could source the steering wheel, alloys or grille. (And apparently the rear windows could open?)

 

My main reason for asking is that my searching hasn't really found if these parts were actually produced, or if they were simply made based off the limited amounts of cars needing them. That is, I've been assuming that almost certainly, the grille and centre for the steering wheel were all the same as what was on the basic car, just altered for the sake of a specific model. 

 

Anyway, apologies for a fairly long winded post. I suppose what I simply want to know is if these parts were actually just powder coated variants of the originals, or if they were actually produced seperately. Even notes on where I could order some without needing to buy a (rare!) Italian Job and put it off the road for no real reason other than feeling my car would suit some of the trim.

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[minitravellerman]

Hello. I've been perusing the forum and noticed that you have never been replied to. Hopefully I can answer your long awaiting query.

 

As you noted in 1992 Rover launched the "Italian Job" LE. This limited edition run (1000 UK cars in all 4 colours - Flame Red, Diamond White, Electric Blue and British Racing Green) was based upon the Mini Mayfair at the time and boasted the 1275cc (50 bhp model). All four colours were mono tone without a different roof colour.

 

Exterior wise the Italian Jobs had body coloured door mirrors, white painted grilles and black bumpers & door handles, with the unique decals along the sides. They also had unique bonnet badges, and had black bonnet stripes with white edging.

 

Interor was unique to the model also with black tweed (with Italian Job label) and unique centre badge to the steering wheel.

 

Items such as the interior trim & steering wheel centre would occasionally come up on ebay through these cars being broken up for parts or owners swapping them out for plusher finishes. The wheels were simply standard Rover 12" Minilite style painted Diamond White, as was the grille (but based on the pressed Morris Mk2 type), so getting replicas made of these would be very simple.

There are companies out there that reproduce the decals.

 

Below is an image of a standard Italian Job (in red obviously)

 

 

rear view in BRG

 

 

interior

 

 

interior currently on ebay - https://www.ebay.co....bZgWG:rk:4:pf:0

 

steering wheel currently on ebay - https://www.ebay.co....bWiN5:rk:7:pf:0

 

alloy wheels currently on ebay - https://www.ebay.co....zKjK:rk:27:pf:0

 

bonnet badge currently on ebay - https://www.ebay.co....riKU:rk:33:pf:0

 

decals kit - http://idlegear.co.u...mini-decal.html

 

Hopefully this has been helpful.