Importing my RHD-Mini...
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Neutral
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 10
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The VIN ...
MINIMAD - Well I'm back home now & went looking for the VIN.
1) a) I found one number posted on a riveted silver/gray plate, with the header "ROVER GROUP LIMITED" in the boot (trunk). The plate is @ 3" square & is riveted between the back end of the battery box & the rgt. rear-hinge of the trunk lid (SAXXNWAXKBD100799). The only other information that is on the plate is PAINT = "HAM" and TRIM = "LPV" ...?
b) I found a second numbered plate (which is welded) to the top of the front gill on the left front side of the engine hood latch. The number is a two-segmented number ( B20S 992893A) ...?
c) If you can tell me anything about them I would be very greatful.
!!! I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING... !!!
1) Has anyone done or heard of it being done - To completely disassemble their MINI down to the bare bones, frame & last nut & bolt? (*In order to ship the component parts back to eventually reassemble them...?)
2) What is the availability of usable, bare body frames within the USA?
3) Has anyone imported a MINI into the USA for - "RACING PURPOSES ONLY" ... What where the complications? Was it a major hassle? ... major cost? Where you ever able to get it "ROAD WORTH" / "STREET LEGAL" & eventually titled within your US state?
1) a) I found one number posted on a riveted silver/gray plate, with the header "ROVER GROUP LIMITED" in the boot (trunk). The plate is @ 3" square & is riveted between the back end of the battery box & the rgt. rear-hinge of the trunk lid (SAXXNWAXKBD100799). The only other information that is on the plate is PAINT = "HAM" and TRIM = "LPV" ...?
b) I found a second numbered plate (which is welded) to the top of the front gill on the left front side of the engine hood latch. The number is a two-segmented number ( B20S 992893A) ...?
c) If you can tell me anything about them I would be very greatful.
!!! I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING... !!!
1) Has anyone done or heard of it being done - To completely disassemble their MINI down to the bare bones, frame & last nut & bolt? (*In order to ship the component parts back to eventually reassemble them...?)
2) What is the availability of usable, bare body frames within the USA?
3) Has anyone imported a MINI into the USA for - "RACING PURPOSES ONLY" ... What where the complications? Was it a major hassle? ... major cost? Where you ever able to get it "ROAD WORTH" / "STREET LEGAL" & eventually titled within your US state?
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 408
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From: Virginia
wrt #2
I'm pretty sure you could order everything needed to build a Mini from parts given the right mix of web-sites 
MiniWorld regularly has adds offering new and refirbished shells. Front and rear subframes are readily available as are complete engine/gearbox sets.
MiniWorld regularly has adds offering new and refirbished shells. Front and rear subframes are readily available as are complete engine/gearbox sets.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
SAXXNWAXKBD100799
1990 XN-----010001 On (1300cc cars only) – English Built
VIN
The general format for the VIN for these cars is:
SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######
VIN, First Three Positions (“SAX” in the above example)
= World Make Identifier.
SAX = MG-Rover
VIN, Fourth and Fifth Positions (“XN” in the above example):
XN = Mini 1300
VIN, Sixth Position (“N” in the above example):
= Class
N = Sport, Cooper, Cabriolet
V = Kensington
W = HLS, Mayfair
Y = City, Sprite
VIN, Seventh Position (“A” in the above example):
= Body type
A = 2-door saloon/sedan.
B = Cabriolet
VIN, Eighth Position (“Y” in the above example):
= Engine
D = 1300 Carb
M = 1300 Carb
X = 1300 SPi (standard compression ratio, 9.4:1)
Y = 1300 SPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
Z = 1300 MPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
VIN, Ninth Position (“B” in the above example):
= RHD/LHD, Transmission type, Final Drive
B = RHD, Manual, 3.105
C = RHD, Manual, 3.21
E = RHD, Manual, 2.76
K = RHD, Automatic
M = LHD, Manual, 3.105
N = LHD, Manual, 3.21
R = LHD, Manual, 2.76
Y = LHD, Automatic
VIN, Tenth Position (“B” in the above example):
= Model Change
A = 1300 Special Edition
B = 1300
VIN, Eleventh Position (“D” in the above example):
= Assembly Plant
D = Longbridge
VIN, Number positions (“######” in the above example):
= The sequential build number:
Starting with 010001
VIN
The general format for the VIN for these cars is:
SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######
VIN, First Three Positions (“SAX” in the above example)
= World Make Identifier.
SAX = MG-Rover
VIN, Fourth and Fifth Positions (“XN” in the above example):
XN = Mini 1300
VIN, Sixth Position (“N” in the above example):
= Class
N = Sport, Cooper, Cabriolet
V = Kensington
W = HLS, Mayfair
Y = City, Sprite
VIN, Seventh Position (“A” in the above example):
= Body type
A = 2-door saloon/sedan.
B = Cabriolet
VIN, Eighth Position (“Y” in the above example):
= Engine
D = 1300 Carb
M = 1300 Carb
X = 1300 SPi (standard compression ratio, 9.4:1)
Y = 1300 SPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
Z = 1300 MPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)
VIN, Ninth Position (“B” in the above example):
= RHD/LHD, Transmission type, Final Drive
B = RHD, Manual, 3.105
C = RHD, Manual, 3.21
E = RHD, Manual, 2.76
K = RHD, Automatic
M = LHD, Manual, 3.105
N = LHD, Manual, 3.21
R = LHD, Manual, 2.76
Y = LHD, Automatic
VIN, Tenth Position (“B” in the above example):
= Model Change
A = 1300 Special Edition
B = 1300
VIN, Eleventh Position (“D” in the above example):
= Assembly Plant
D = Longbridge
VIN, Number positions (“######” in the above example):
= The sequential build number:
Starting with 010001
1) It is still illegal to do so. Could be done. If it were me I'd ship the shell separate from the rest of the parts & w/o subframes. Placed on a pallet as "parts". Then, how do you register it? Some states will not allow you to get a title w/o a stamped customs form (you won't have one) and a vehicle inspection. Others (CA) your car will also need to pass smog/CARB stds.
2.) Dion @ DJminis.com does have shells available as do others. Consider what cost in $$$ and time this will entail.
3.) the racing exemption means that and you won't get around it. See the Customs website for regulations.
Really, this is a lot of effort. Isn't it better to sell the car, take your cash & buy a good one here?
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
You CANNOT import 24 year old or less RHD Mini Cooper's into the U.S.
I spoke with several Registered Importers about this. It cannot be done. Well, that's not entirely true. You could buy three versions of the model year you want to import and have them crash tested. It only costs about 1 million dollars. Then, you still might not be able to import it depending on the results.
So, you can only import RHD mini's into the US if they are 25 years old or older. Currently, as of Feb 2012...let me do my public math...that would be 1987 models and older.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I was trying to import my 1995 Rover Mini - Tartan Edition. Beautiful little car, but no joy.
It's okay. Just buy a classic that has already aged to perfection and made it into the States. That's what I'm gonna do. I know this is being posted to an old post, but I'm sure others will be asking themselves the same question. So, good luck to you.
So, you can only import RHD mini's into the US if they are 25 years old or older. Currently, as of Feb 2012...let me do my public math...that would be 1987 models and older.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I was trying to import my 1995 Rover Mini - Tartan Edition. Beautiful little car, but no joy.
It's okay. Just buy a classic that has already aged to perfection and made it into the States. That's what I'm gonna do. I know this is being posted to an old post, but I'm sure others will be asking themselves the same question. So, good luck to you.
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