You have to give it to the good lads over at Jalopnik. Besides being huge fans of the Chevy El Camino, they also find some of the coolest stuff you’ll ever see on a car. Case in point, this race-prepped Mini.
>Here are things we know about this racing Mini from Japan: mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, gigantic wheels, Honda B18c engine. We’re not sure what compelled this individual to take the original Mini platform and flip it on its head, but we’d like to see this thing take on a Renault R5 powered by an SR2ODE motor for some reason. Clearly, what the Mini has been missing all this time is Integra Type-R power.
I’ve seen this done with a MINI (mid-engine BMW 6), but not in a Classic. Crazy.
Call me old fashioned – but whats the point?
Why complete re-fabricate a Mini into a Honda in this manner? Why not just use a Honda body?
As a Mini purist, I can’t see the point of making hybrids. The old Mini engine can be modified sufficiently to a very high standard.
Would someone put a Ford engine in a Chevvy?
This is just hot rodding… And classic minis with rear drive has been done before to gain advantage in a racing series (loophole in the rules).
FWIW, true “shadetree mechanics” will use whatever isn’t too rusty to make a hot-rod. This is no different and is what automotive enthusiasm is all about.
Heck, there was a front-wheel-drive classic sporting a Honda V-Tec running around Seattle not to long ago. It was definately a “project car” and in no way was it a finished product… but the car was a screamer.
To have what appears to be a classic with Honda reliability? Might offend the purists, but I think it might be tempting for some out there.
i can attest to the Front-wheel-drive classic mini powered by a honda engine… i own one 😛 there’s actually great stuff… interesting sound too! granted it’s NOTHING compared to my R56 MCS but still… it’s always a winner at autoshows in my area 🙂
while indeed a screamer the B18 engine is nice… but i threw a K20A3 in there for fun (yay junkyard gold! that goes for the mini itself too 😀 ) and yeah it’s FAST guys! weighs nothing… but once again… i prefer my daily driver (and future show car/track car/daily driver) R56 🙂
Having spent a little seat time in a r-spec vtec classic on the track can say for a fun car I have no issues with this at all. Still prefer the pure classic but would own one of these little beasts in a moment.
As for putting a Honda engine into the MINI, I am against modifying the MINI in such a way. I would rather have seen a European powerhouse of an engine than a Japanese one. Don’t get me wrong, I like Honda, but mixing the two just seems wrong to me in some way. Now, if it were meant to be and BMW worked together on an engine with Honda (someday) and put the engine in the MINI, that might be a different story. For now, though, it just isn’t something that I count as favorable, In my opinion.
That’s just so closed minded…. Really, hot rodding is all about making new (sometimes odd) stuff out of the parts that are available…
Ford 9″ rear end in pretty much any hot rod? Sure! Why not put a jag rear end in there with IRS? Sure!
Look at all the mix/match stuff going into Locosts…. Take the best parts (or the best parts one can afford, or heck, the pile of parts that happens to be lying around) and bolt ’em together! Have at it, that’s hot-rodding!
Saw a real cool 32 ford with a V8 from a Porsche 928… There was an early plymoth with a Ferrari V12! Not cheap, but oh so cool…
I’ve seen vtec powered Classics before (I think Mark from NAM has one) and I actually think they are pretty slick. It’s gotta be a sick car to drive too!
<p>BMW WITH HONDA! PLEASE, BMW ZOOMER REALLY?THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN IF HONDA REALLY PUT OUT THERE POWER HOUSE MOTORS THEY WOULD BE ILLEGAL HONDA HAS SOME POWERFUL ENGINES IVE SEEN A CHEVY NOVA WITH A S2000 TURBO MOTOR RUNNIG 10’S IN THE 1/2 LET HONDA PUT OUT A V6 HATCH LIKE THE R32 VW IT WILL BE A WEAPON</p>
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<p>Sounds good but what do customers think?</p>
<p>Well this has been one of the highest rated and best selling clogs online at sites such as Amazon. The customer feedback has also been terrific.Many of people have commented that these really are the most comfortable shoes you will ever wear. We have heard from people who have to work retail jobs which require them to be on their feet all day and they say these are like a blessing to them. If you have to stand all day and constantly end the day with aching feet then these will get rid of that problem. There are some that even said the shoes really helped with the problems they had in their lower back.</p>
<p>Some people even bought these just for the cool look. These can be a great casual shoe to wear if going out shopping or to meet friends for coffee.The shoes appear to be really durable too with many people saying they got at least a few years wear out of them before having to buy a new pair. So at such an affordable price these seem well worth it. These really will make both your work and social life much better!</p>
Call me old fashioned – but whats the point?
Why complete re-fabricate a Mini into a Honda in this manner? Why not just use a Honda body?
As a Mini purist, I can’t see the point of making hybrids. The old Mini engine can be modified sufficiently to a very high standard.
Would someone put a Ford engine in a Chevvy?
Slot-car. Chevys and Fords swap mills all the time in rod-land.
Exactly, my friend has a ’34 Ford Coupe with a Chevy 350.
This is just hot rodding… And classic minis with rear drive has been done before to gain advantage in a racing series (loophole in the rules).
FWIW, true “shadetree mechanics” will use whatever isn’t too rusty to make a hot-rod. This is no different and is what automotive enthusiasm is all about.
Break the friggin’ rules!
Matt
Here ya go!

This sucker is RWD…. And a winner!
Where is the link to the MINI with a BMW I6? I have to see that…..
This has been done a few times over now.
Heck, there was a front-wheel-drive classic sporting a Honda V-Tec running around Seattle not to long ago. It was definately a “project car” and in no way was it a finished product… but the car was a screamer.
To have what appears to be a classic with Honda reliability? Might offend the purists, but I think it might be tempting for some out there.
i can attest to the Front-wheel-drive classic mini powered by a honda engine… i own one 😛 there’s actually great stuff… interesting sound too! granted it’s NOTHING compared to my R56 MCS but still… it’s always a winner at autoshows in my area 🙂
while indeed a screamer the B18 engine is nice… but i threw a K20A3 in there for fun (yay junkyard gold! that goes for the mini itself too 😀 ) and yeah it’s FAST guys! weighs nothing… but once again… i prefer my daily driver (and future show car/track car/daily driver) R56 🙂
i think there’re a fair number of classic mini’s, especially across the pond, running on honda vtec’s, especially the s2000 motor.
Having spent a little seat time in a r-spec vtec classic on the track can say for a fun car I have no issues with this at all. Still prefer the pure classic but would own one of these little beasts in a moment.
<a href="http://vtec.minimania.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://vtec.minimania.com/</a> – a site dedicated for vtec’s
A good example of a vtec flogging the Ring.
<a href="http://www.motoringfun.com/2008/04/16/video-vtech-classic-mini-on-the-ring/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.motoringfun.com/2008/04/16/video-vtech-classic-mini-on-the-ring/</a>
FINALLY people have modified the old MINIs to look like the actual Matchbox toy cars with their large wheels and wheel arch flares? 🙂
Aussom, there have been mods with large wheels and wheel arch flares for years, just ask pbraun: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pbraun/1118031222/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/pbraun/1118031222/</a>
As for putting a Honda engine into the MINI, I am against modifying the MINI in such a way. I would rather have seen a European powerhouse of an engine than a Japanese one. Don’t get me wrong, I like Honda, but mixing the two just seems wrong to me in some way. Now, if it were meant to be and BMW worked together on an engine with Honda (someday) and put the engine in the MINI, that might be a different story. For now, though, it just isn’t something that I count as favorable, In my opinion.
Have a good one..
That’s just so closed minded…. Really, hot rodding is all about making new (sometimes odd) stuff out of the parts that are available…
Ford 9″ rear end in pretty much any hot rod? Sure! Why not put a jag rear end in there with IRS? Sure!
Look at all the mix/match stuff going into Locosts…. Take the best parts (or the best parts one can afford, or heck, the pile of parts that happens to be lying around) and bolt ’em together! Have at it, that’s hot-rodding!
Saw a real cool 32 ford with a V8 from a Porsche 928… There was an early plymoth with a Ferrari V12! Not cheap, but oh so cool…
Matt
There was <a href="http://germancarscene.com/2006/08/23/bmw-m3-powered-mini/" rel="nofollow">this</a>. An M3 powered MINI.
I’ve seen vtec powered Classics before (I think Mark from NAM has one) and I actually think they are pretty slick. It’s gotta be a sick car to drive too!
Honda engined Mini’s are now ‘Old Hat’ – it’s been done many times but never made the grade.
If you want a serious mini look no further than this one.
7.2 litre big block chevy
9.6 secs for the 1/4 mile and a top speed of 180+ mph
Fastest Mini in the world
Here is the image link for the 7.2 litre big block chevy Mini
<a href="http://www.1300mini.com/images/miniv8.jpg" rel="nofollow">7.2 litre Mini</a>
<p>BMW WITH HONDA! PLEASE, BMW ZOOMER REALLY?THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN IF HONDA REALLY PUT OUT THERE POWER HOUSE MOTORS THEY WOULD BE ILLEGAL HONDA HAS SOME POWERFUL ENGINES IVE SEEN A CHEVY NOVA WITH A S2000 TURBO MOTOR RUNNIG 10’S IN THE 1/2 LET HONDA PUT OUT A V6 HATCH LIKE THE R32 VW IT WILL BE A WEAPON</p>
<p>MINI ENGINE ARE SEWING MACHINES COMPARED TO HONDA</p>
<p>gregw dude ur crazy this this thing is freaking sweeeeeeeettt……t</p>
<p>You can buy cheap <a href="http://www.fitflopoutlet.com" rel="nofollow">Fitflop Gogh clogs</a> on sale online with as much as 30% off selected sizes. All the colours and types including the ever popular chocolate and brown ones. These are some of the most popular types of footwear that Fitflop do and you wont be surprised to know have been selling like hot cakes all over the world.</p>
<p>Discount Fiflop Gogh Clogs really are some of the most comfortable footwear you could ever own. If you spend a large part of your day on your feet or walking then you will often know your feet, legs and sometimes even your back can ache at the end of the day. This is normally because the footwear you are wearing isn’t giving you sufficient support. Try out some clogs and you will be pleasantly surprised with the improvement that you feel.</p>
<p>The unique selling point of the profession design <a href="http://www.fitflopoutlet.com" rel="nofollow">FitFlop Gogh Clogs</a> are that they can aid you in getting fit. Just walking in these will help you get fit due to the specialised mid sole that will challenge your feet and tone them with every step. The personality design of <a href="http://www.fitflopoutlet.com" rel="nofollow">Fitflop Gogh clogs</a> even feature faux sheepskin to add to the comfort.</p>
<p>Sounds good but what do customers think?</p>
<p>Well this has been one of the highest rated and best selling clogs online at sites such as Amazon. The customer feedback has also been terrific.Many of people have commented that these really are the most comfortable shoes you will ever wear. We have heard from people who have to work retail jobs which require them to be on their feet all day and they say these are like a blessing to them. If you have to stand all day and constantly end the day with aching feet then these will get rid of that problem. There are some that even said the shoes really helped with the problems they had in their lower back.</p>
<p>Some people even bought these just for the cool look. These can be a great casual shoe to wear if going out shopping or to meet friends for coffee.The shoes appear to be really durable too with many people saying they got at least a few years wear out of them before having to buy a new pair. So at such an affordable price these seem well worth it. These really will make both your work and social life much better!</p>