1990 saw the Mini Cooper return
1989/90 Racing, Flame & Checkmate
Racing, Flame & Checkmate interior
The Racing & Flame models were first introduced in 1989 as part of the 30th Anniversary model range.
The following year the 1990 versions were released, the main changes being the of addition of "Checkmate" model, a brake servo and the "Mini 30" minilite style alloys in place of the steel wheels and hubcaps of the 1989 model.
The 3 models were identical except for the paintwork, rear quarter and bootlid decals.
The Flame was Flame Red with a white roof
The Racing was Racing Green with a white roof
The Checkmate was black with a white roof.
They all came with the standard 998cc engine and four speed gearbox (automatic was an option)
The seats were trimmed in "Black Crayons" cloth with matching black pvc door panels with a red mylar stip.
The rear quarter windows were fixed, the passenger wing mirror was not standard and they were only group 1 insurance
£5,455 when new
1990 RSP............
The RSP or Rover Special Products Cooper was built in 1990, 1650 were manufactured, 600 of which were exported to Japan with the remaining 1050 sold in the UK
The RSP was available in the same colours as the Racing, Flame & Checkmate except the benefited from body coloured arches, mirrors and numberplate light.
They had a cooper mk2 grille with two spot lights, glass sunroof, "Cooper" laurels on the rear quarter panel and bootlid, Cooper bonnet badge, "John Cooper" signature decals on the bonnet stripes and the Minilite style alloys.
The interior was the same as the Mini 30, half leather seats with lightning cloth, red/wine coloured carpets and leather
rimmed steering wheel.
Chassis/Vin numbers start SAXXNNAMBAD and finish 010001 to 011650
£6,995 when new
The Racing, Flame, Checkmate, Mini30, RSP Cooper and Mainstream Cooper all shared this style Minilight,with the bolt holes in line with the spokes
1990 Mainstream Cooper..........
The RSP sold so well that Rover decided to put the Cooper into regular production (September 1990).
The Mainsteam Cooper was based on the Racing, Flame & Checkmate though with a 1275cc engine
£6,595 when new
If you bought a Mainstream Cooper between 1st June 1991 and 30th September 1991, Rover offered you a range of 3 exclusive accessory kits. You had to supply your vin number to avail of these kits and the prices did not include fitting
Kit A - The "Italian Job" Pack
Twin halogen driving lamps
"Mini Cooper" bonnet stripes
Durable moulded loadspace liner
Recommended Price £139.47
Special Price £59.99
Kit B - The "Rac Rally" Pack
Twin halogen driving lamps
"Mini Cooper" bonnet stripes
Durable moulded loadspace liner
Tinted glass sunroof
Mudflaps
Recommended Price £273.78
Special Price £105.99
Kit C - The "Monte Carlo" Pack
Twin halogen driving lamps
"Mini Cooper" bonnet stripes
Durable moulded loadspace liner
Tinted glass sunroof
Mudflaps
Sump guard
Locking wheel nuts
Fire extinguisher
Recommended Price £385.58
Special Price £155.99
1991 Spi Inj Cooper...........
From October 1991 the Cooper was updated with a Single Point Injection 1275cc engine and gained 1/2 leather seats as standard, though different to the last ones we saw in the RSP.
£7,845 when new
The 1/2 leather seats were later updated in 1993/4 to a larger style with bigger side bolsters, very similar to the Metro seat
The Injected Coopers used this style of Minilight, with the bolt holes between the spokes
1996 Mpi Inj Cooper..............
To keep the Mini & Mini Cooper legal and on the road until nearer the lauch of the new MINI, BMW funded the development of the new models.
The main changes were the same 1275cc Multi Point Injection engine fitted to both Mini & Mini Cooper.
Airbag steering wheel, seatbelt pre-tensioners, door anti-intrusion bars and a larger choice of interior trim, body colours and other extras and accessories, such as the new Sports Option Pack.
Mini Cooper MPI £8,995 when new, Sports pack option was anothr £795.
Racing, Flame & Checkmate interior
The Racing & Flame models were first introduced in 1989 as part of the 30th Anniversary model range.
The following year the 1990 versions were released, the main changes being the of addition of "Checkmate" model, a brake servo and the "Mini 30" minilite style alloys in place of the steel wheels and hubcaps of the 1989 model.
The 3 models were identical except for the paintwork, rear quarter and bootlid decals.
The Flame was Flame Red with a white roof
The Racing was Racing Green with a white roof
The Checkmate was black with a white roof.
They all came with the standard 998cc engine and four speed gearbox (automatic was an option)
The seats were trimmed in "Black Crayons" cloth with matching black pvc door panels with a red mylar stip.
The rear quarter windows were fixed, the passenger wing mirror was not standard and they were only group 1 insurance
£5,455 when new
1990 RSP............
The RSP or Rover Special Products Cooper was built in 1990, 1650 were manufactured, 600 of which were exported to Japan with the remaining 1050 sold in the UK
The RSP was available in the same colours as the Racing, Flame & Checkmate except the benefited from body coloured arches, mirrors and numberplate light.
They had a cooper mk2 grille with two spot lights, glass sunroof, "Cooper" laurels on the rear quarter panel and bootlid, Cooper bonnet badge, "John Cooper" signature decals on the bonnet stripes and the Minilite style alloys.
The interior was the same as the Mini 30, half leather seats with lightning cloth, red/wine coloured carpets and leather
rimmed steering wheel.
Chassis/Vin numbers start SAXXNNAMBAD and finish 010001 to 011650
£6,995 when new
The Racing, Flame, Checkmate, Mini30, RSP Cooper and Mainstream Cooper all shared this style Minilight,with the bolt holes in line with the spokes
1990 Mainstream Cooper..........
The RSP sold so well that Rover decided to put the Cooper into regular production (September 1990).
The Mainsteam Cooper was based on the Racing, Flame & Checkmate though with a 1275cc engine
£6,595 when new
If you bought a Mainstream Cooper between 1st June 1991 and 30th September 1991, Rover offered you a range of 3 exclusive accessory kits. You had to supply your vin number to avail of these kits and the prices did not include fitting
Kit A - The "Italian Job" Pack
Twin halogen driving lamps
"Mini Cooper" bonnet stripes
Durable moulded loadspace liner
Recommended Price £139.47
Special Price £59.99
Kit B - The "Rac Rally" Pack
Twin halogen driving lamps
"Mini Cooper" bonnet stripes
Durable moulded loadspace liner
Tinted glass sunroof
Mudflaps
Recommended Price £273.78
Special Price £105.99
Kit C - The "Monte Carlo" Pack
Twin halogen driving lamps
"Mini Cooper" bonnet stripes
Durable moulded loadspace liner
Tinted glass sunroof
Mudflaps
Sump guard
Locking wheel nuts
Fire extinguisher
Recommended Price £385.58
Special Price £155.99
1991 Spi Inj Cooper...........
From October 1991 the Cooper was updated with a Single Point Injection 1275cc engine and gained 1/2 leather seats as standard, though different to the last ones we saw in the RSP.
£7,845 when new
The 1/2 leather seats were later updated in 1993/4 to a larger style with bigger side bolsters, very similar to the Metro seat
The Injected Coopers used this style of Minilight, with the bolt holes between the spokes
1996 Mpi Inj Cooper..............
To keep the Mini & Mini Cooper legal and on the road until nearer the lauch of the new MINI, BMW funded the development of the new models.
The main changes were the same 1275cc Multi Point Injection engine fitted to both Mini & Mini Cooper.
Airbag steering wheel, seatbelt pre-tensioners, door anti-intrusion bars and a larger choice of interior trim, body colours and other extras and accessories, such as the new Sports Option Pack.
Mini Cooper MPI £8,995 when new, Sports pack option was anothr £795.