People with angle grinders and ambition had been producing open-top Minis for years, but it wasn’t until June 1993 that the first official Mini Convertible rolled off the Longbridge production line.
The Rover Mini Cabriolet was a mainstream version of the ultra-rare Mini Lamm Cabriolet conversion, which was launched in 1991. The fast sell-out of the 75 models convinced Rover Group the idea had a future, and despite costing almost double what a regular tin-top Mini did at launch, the Mini Cabriolet nevertheless proved popular.
This inspired BMW to develop an open-top version of the reborn Mini. The new Mini Convertible launched in 2004 and it too has sold well – and how. More than 89,000 have found homes in the UK alone.
To mark the quarter-century of its open-top car, Mini UK is now launching a 25th Anniversary Edition of the Mini Convertible, based on the Cooper S and limited to just 300 cars – each costing £32,995.
Coincidentally, that’s around double what a base Mini One costs.
Finished exclusively in a unique combination of Starlight Blue metallic with Satellite Grey ‘lounge leather’ interior, Mini Yours Union Jack woven fabric roof, white bonnet stripes and two-tone 18-inch Mini Yours ‘Vanity Spoke’ alloys.
Also standard is the Mini Chili Pack, Navigation Plus pack and a beefy Harman Kardon sound system. Oh, and a commemorative plaque for the dash.
As with all factory-fresh Mini Hatch and Convertible models, the 25th Anniversary Edition also benefits from 2018 model-year upgrades, including front and rear LED lights, 6.5-inch colour infotainment screen, multi-function steering wheel and the latest ‘2D’ Mini brand logo (replacing the old ‘3D’ motif).
Oh, and the ‘Union Flag’ rear lights that are the quickest way to spot a 2018 Mini. There’s no missing them…
