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1989 Motor show ERA Mini (R1020) with only 5200 miles For Sale | | |
| | http://www.rawlesmotorsport.co.uk/sales/Car_Sales_New/G988XHP/G988XHP.html | English Racing Automobiles (ERA) was created by a wealthy Oxford graduate with a passion for motor racing in 1933. He developed racing cars that campaigned successfully through to the 1950’s with numerous famous racing drivers against many exotic marques, including the Bugatti and Maseratti. In 1989 the company put its skills and knowledge into the design and manufacture of a performance car, the ERA Mini – The “M” type. The ERA Mini turbo was conceived as a 1980’s replacement for the Mini Cooper “S”. A car claimed to have all characteristics of the Mini Cooper, speed, handling and excitement but the car would also introduce the concept of refinement and comfort.
The car was the fastest ever classic Mini fitted with a 1300 Turbo engine. Body modifications were by Dennis Adams (designer of the Marcos). The interior was fitted with specially designed leather sports seats finished, like much of the interior, with Connolly hide. Traditional style instruments were fitted to an all new panel design and a state-of- the-art Phillips sound system was installed.
To handle the increased power from the Turbo unit new suspension components were developed at Castle Coombe race track in high speed handling trials; these included lower front suspension arms, increased toe in, adjustable damper units at the front. At the rear an anti-roll bar was fitted. Ventilated discs were fitted to the front of the car, the braking system was remodelled and special low profile alloy wheels developed.
G988 XHP is a very special ERA Mini, built for the 1989 Motor Show to an exhibition standard, and then purchased by the chairman of Rover and BAE systems. In the comprehensive history file there is a letter from Kevin T Morley, the then Commercial Director of Rover Cars stating that "at the time of writing, car R1020 was the best quality ERA Mini Turbo to have been produced by Rover Group Ltd and ERA".
The car is in outstanding condition having only been driven 5200 miles. The car comes complete with original ERA brochures, service book, ERA key fobs, tool kit and even the unopened delivery tin of top up oil. The car was featured in Mini Magazine in January 2012.
Copies of the director of rover's letter and the mini magazine article can be downloaded at http://www.rawlesmotorsport.co.uk
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