Article
This 1990 Rover Mini Mayfair Mk V was built by Z-Cars of Kent in the United Kingdom in 2003. It is powered by a pair of rear-mounted 998cc Yamaha R1 inline-fours driving the rear wheels through matching six-speed sequential transmissions, a Z-Cars Drivebox, and a Quaife limited-slip differential. Additional modifications include tubular front and rear subframes, a steel cabin bulkhead, a roll cage, a fuel cell, carbon-fiber and fiberglass body panels, and removable plexiglass windows. Additional components consist of 13″ Compomotive wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with Wilwood front calipers, adjustable coilovers, four-into-one manifolds, Barnett Racing clutches, a Sparco steering wheel, a Curley carbon fiber dashboard, a MoTeC digital instrument cluster, Cobra bucket seats, and Sabelt five-point harnesses. The car was imported to the US circa 2021 and was sold on BaT in December 2024 before it was acquired by the current owner. This R1-powered “Twini” is now offered on dealer consignment in Arizona with a clean Carfax report, a clean Montana title, and copies of MiniWorld and Mini Magazine in which it appears.
The rear cabin, trunk floors, rear seat squab, and bulkhead have been removed, and a Z-Cars rear subframe, a roll cage, a quick-release carbon-fiber front end, a carbon-fiber trunk lid, Mini Sport fiberglass doors, Mini Miglia wheel arch extensions, and plexiglass windows were installed. The car was then repainted in Flame Red. A Z-Cars front subframe was later added along with a fiberglass hood that features hood pins, dual air intakes, and a cut-out for the fuel filler. The car retains its glass windshield, and additional exterior details include a sunroof, clear taillight lenses, bullet-style side mirrors, and dual exhaust tips. The front end was repainted under previous ownership. The Halogen headlights do not work.
Compomotive ML 13″ wheels were mounted with 175/50 Yokohama Advan A048 tires in 2021. The car is equipped with servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, four-pot Wilwood front calipers, a hydraulic parking brake, Aeroquip hoses, Z-Cars adjustable rear radius arms, adjustable inboard coilovers, tubular wishbones, negative camber lower arms, rose-jointed tie bars, and an adjustable elevated rear radius arm. The brake master cylinder was replaced in 2021.
The right-hand-drive cabin is equipped with Cobra bucket seats on adjustable runners, Sabelt five-point harnesses, a gel battery with a cut-off switch, carbon fiber door panels, checkerboard floor plates, fire extinguishers, and dual gearshift levers mounted to the Curley carbon fiber dashboard.
The Alcantara-rimmed Sparco steering wheel is affixed to a quick-release boss and fronts a MoTeC ADL2 instrument cluster that displays a digital tachometer and speedometer as well as auxiliary readouts. The car is not equipped with an odometer, and the total mileage is unknown. The analog fuel gauge is inoperative.
A fuel cell has been mounted in the former engine bay, along with a Pace alloy radiator that was reportedly serviced in 2024 and is fitted with dual electric fans.
The liquid-cooled 998cc DOHC inline-fours were sourced from 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1s and are installed behind a custom steel bulkhead. The car can be driven on one or both engines, both of which are equipped with the following:
The dual six-speed sequential gearboxes feature straight-cut gears and send power to the rear wheels through individual Barnett Racing clutches, a Z-Cars Drivebox, and a Quaife limited-slip differential. Custom driveshafts were fitted around 2020. Reverse is provided by an electric motor, and coolant lines are routed beneath the car in the factory exhaust channel.
Decoding the VIN provides the following information:
This 1990 Rover Mini Mayfair Mk V was built by Z-Cars of Kent in the United Kingdom in 2003. It is powered by a pair of rear-mounted 998cc Yamaha R1 inline-fours driving the rear wheels through matching six-speed sequential transmissions, a Z-Cars Drivebox, and a Quaife limited-slip differential. Additional modifications include tubular front and rear subframes, a steel cabin bulkhead, a roll cage, a fuel cell, carbon-fiber and fiberglass body panels, and removable plexiglass windows. Additional components consist of 13″ Compomotive wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with Wilwood front calipers, adjustable coilovers, four-into-one manifolds, Barnett Racing clutches, a Sparco steering wheel, a Curley carbon fiber dashboard, a MoTeC digital instrument cluster, Cobra bucket seats, and Sabelt five-point harnesses. The car was imported to the US circa 2021 and was sold on BaT in December 2024 before it was acquired by the current owner. This R1-powered “Twini” is now offered on dealer consignment in Arizona with a clean Carfax report, a clean Montana title, and copies of MiniWorld and Mini Magazine in which it appears.
The rear cabin, trunk floors, rear seat squab, and bulkhead have been removed, and a Z-Cars rear subframe, a roll cage, a quick-release carbon-fiber front end, a carbon-fiber trunk lid, Mini Sport fiberglass doors, Mini Miglia wheel arch extensions, and plexiglass windows were installed. The car was then repainted in Flame Red. A Z-Cars front subframe was later added along with a fiberglass hood that features hood pins, dual air intakes, and a cut-out for the fuel filler. The car retains its glass windshield, and additional exterior details include a sunroof, clear taillight lenses, bullet-style side mirrors, and dual exhaust tips. The front end was repainted under previous ownership. The Halogen headlights do not work.
Compomotive ML 13″ wheels were mounted with 175/50 Yokohama Advan A048 tires in 2021. The car is equipped with servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, four-pot Wilwood front calipers, a hydraulic parking brake, Aeroquip hoses, Z-Cars adjustable rear radius arms, adjustable inboard coilovers, tubular wishbones, negative camber lower arms, rose-jointed tie bars, and an adjustable elevated rear radius arm. The brake master cylinder was replaced in 2021.
The right-hand-drive cabin is equipped with Cobra bucket seats on adjustable runners, Sabelt five-point harnesses, a gel battery with a cut-off switch, carbon fiber door panels, checkerboard floor plates, fire extinguishers, and dual gearshift levers mounted to the Curley carbon fiber dashboard.
The Alcantara-rimmed Sparco steering wheel is affixed to a quick-release boss and fronts a MoTeC ADL2 instrument cluster that displays a digital tachometer and speedometer as well as auxiliary readouts. The car is not equipped with an odometer, and the total mileage is unknown. The analog fuel gauge is inoperative.
A fuel cell has been mounted in the former engine bay, along with a Pace alloy radiator that was reportedly serviced in 2024 and is fitted with dual electric fans.
The liquid-cooled 998cc DOHC inline-fours were sourced from 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1s and are installed behind a custom steel bulkhead. The car can be driven on one or both engines, both of which are equipped with the following:
- Quad 40mm Mikuni carburetors
- Pipercross air filters
- Five-valve cylinder head
- Electric water pump
- Heat-wrapped Tony Law four-into-one manifold
- Free-flow exhaust system
- Carbon fiber muffler
The dual six-speed sequential gearboxes feature straight-cut gears and send power to the rear wheels through individual Barnett Racing clutches, a Z-Cars Drivebox, and a Quaife limited-slip differential. Custom driveshafts were fitted around 2020. Reverse is provided by an electric motor, and coolant lines are routed beneath the car in the factory exhaust channel.
Decoding the VIN provides the following information:
- SAX – MG Rover manufacturer
- X – Non-significant
- L – 998cc
- 2S – Two-door sedan
- 1 – Round nose, traditional Mini body style
- N – Mayfair
- 2 – 1984-on
- 0 – Right-hand drive
- 478976 – Sequential serial number
- Paint C0F – Flame Red
- Trim L0Y – Granite
