Just wondering if anyone would know if it's possible to order a right-side-drive MINI in North America from the factory? Not sure if this has been asked already. Just curious. When it comes time to order my next MINI, it'd be cool if I could drive a la English style. I've seen customizing/tuner shops do this kind of work, but it would be a lot more convenient to have it done right from the factory, being that they make right hand drive MINIs right there anyway.
Cheerio,


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Simple recipe for enjoyment: Take 1 new MINI. Add 6 gears. Drop in 1 supercharger. A dash of 94 octane. A sprinkle of style. And finally add 1 MadMan. Bake pavement and tires to taste. Recipe produces 1 MINI Cooper'S' and full satisfaction. Motor On!!

 

>>Just wondering if anyone would know if it's possible to order a right-side-drive MINI in North America from the factory?


You'll absolutely ADORE it. It will be a blast not being able to see around the corner on twisty roads......it will be great for your sex life as your significant other will be absolutely elated at having spent the whole day in the dead man seat staring at traffic coming straight at them and not being able to do anything about them, you'll really enjoy paying tolls, but the most joy you'll have is when you mindlessly pull away from a stop making a turn and automatically get in the lane reserved for oncoming traffic.
YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!

 

Off hand I would say that since the left hand driver option is the standard lawful version for Northamerica imported versions of the MINI, the current right hand version would be not orderable from the US.

Safety would be of primary concern. Now if we could import those right hand driver MINIs as mail carrier vehicles that are later sold surplus to us MINI lovers then that would be a possible loophole.

There are some technicalities about emission controls and crash test results
http://www.j-garage.com/sale/usedcars/us.htm
eligible car list-
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...LIG102803.html

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Aloha Hawaii

 

>>You'll absolutely ADORE it. It will be a blast not being able to see around the corner on twisty roads......it will be great for your sex life as your significant other will be absolutely elated at having spent the whole day in the dead man seat staring at traffic coming straight at them and not being able to do anything about them, you'll really enjoy paying tolls, but the most joy you'll have is when you mindlessly pull away from a stop making a turn and automatically get in the lane reserved for oncoming traffic.
>>YOU WILL LOVE IT!!! But true enough with those points stated. I'd still think it'd be pretty cool though. My interest in it was first kinda sparked with seeing a few right-hand-drive vehicles around town here, done up from customizing shops.
But as per MINIHUNE's post and links, guess that won't be happening. Oh well. Just thought I'd ask.
I wonder how many people have transformed their car 'a la McLaren F1 seating' style?
I wanna be like Homer and create my own car one day, and have lots of horns.....'cause ya never can have too many horns.
Cheers,

 

I think it would be fun to drive rt-hand drive MINI....for about 2 days. Then it'd get old. Overall I think the inconvenience (assorted drive throughs, toll booths, etc) would outweigh any possible enjoyment real quick. Save it for a trip to England!!!