Rover prototype?

Is this a genuine Rover prototype? I never realised they experimented with the idea.

http://www.minimarcos.org.uk/altpics/minki/index.html

[mikeb]

yes as it says

The key word there was 'Genuine'. If it is, then it has got to be worth a trip to Gaydon to see how Rover went about it. That 50mm extra length looks very well disguised.

Wonder why they never developed it further?

[Geehawk]

The keyword in Mikes reply was "Yes" :P

Built years ago. Featured in one of the mags, if you look in the magazine features post in General, you can find out which one.

I have the article scanned in on another computer if youre interested.

But you dont have to widen and lengthen to get it to fit, you would run into a whole host of other problems. Very expensive one off screen for example.

Never developed due to having to produce a pretty much whole new bodyshell.

I must have missed that issue. Still, who would have known that Rover built their own 16v Mini (everyone apart from me apparently :oops: ).

I didn't realise it was widened (is that a word....it is now). They do seem to have taken the long way 'round. Still, nice to see that they had a go.

Hmm, makes me think I should be slotting a K-series into my Cooper instead of faffing about with a Vtec Clubman. Maybe I should do both.....Maybe I should wake up and smell the coffee, then get some actual work done! :)

[BigAndy]

I used to work at the Land Rover prototype and testing site next door to the Heritage Centre and every year or so you'd hear about them auctioning off there cars....Keep your ears open for another auction and you might be able to get your hands on it. Ive heard of them selling a 6R4 for about £5k and Rover Metro Racing Cars for £300/400 in almost mint condition.

[FatKev]

6R4 for 5k?!?!?!?!?!?! :shock:

Where do I sign up for that sort of cheap fun?

Hmmm 6R4 Mini.... :twisted:

Kevin

[BigAndy]

Yup. It seems that the only people who knew about it were Land Rover and Rover workers...if no-one goes to the auction they dont sell for very much. My mate bought a rover 200 challenge car (or similar series - a rover 200 race car anyway) with top spec engine for £1500. Although i did see it mentioned in an article in CCC i think a while after the auction

[DaveCoxon]

The only auction i know of was the one something like 2ish years ago? I knew about this from my SD1 contacts initially, then I realised there was mini & metro stuff aswell as a rumour of a 6R4

The metro 6r4 was a mockup ultimately.

http://www.users.myisp.co.uk/~climengs/gaydon_auction/gaydon_auction.htm
http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3500.asp?id=11661