This is a classic Mini. That much is clear. Everything else about it is subject to interpretation. And there’s quite a lot to interpret here. Most of it is legible, which is not always a given in this country. But somehow, a few things seem to have been lost in translation.
Don’t be distracted by the small ‘60s-style taillights – those are often retrofitted to Mk III and above Minis around here. That’s the most normal aspect of this car anyway. The Woody figurine hanging from the bumper is a fun touch, but the Mickey Mouse plate stuck on the trunk lid? Very weird.
Full marks for trying something completely different, and on a base that is neither VW nor some random JDM model. “Meat Avenue” doesn’t seem to ring any bells in Tokyo, but this Mini seems to have an international background. I’m guessing it could be linked to the US Armed Forces, if the “Yokota Classic Minis” sticker on the back is any indication (I can’t search it, as I don’t do FB); Yokota is a major military base near Yokohama.
Riveting stuff, isn’t it? Really not sure why there is a Red Bull advert in the mix. Must we have ads on absolutely everything nowadays? Love the industrial “meanie Mini” vibes on this thing, though. Maybe the grille could be altered with vertical slats, à la ‘50s Buick, to complete the look.
There are a lot of hot rods, customs and street racers around Tokyo. More than enough, in my opinion. True original mods like this Mini are rare, and should be celebrated. Just be sure to mind that rust on the roof – I realize it’s all part of the look, but it’s also a known Mini-killer. So to answer the question I posed in the title of this post: everything. The world needs variety, and this certainly adds more than its fair share.
I like the car, the rims and the flares, and the backdated taillights/bumpers.
Everything else must be killed with fire, and the poor thing given a proper paint job. Just wrap it up and mail it to me please, it’s small so postage probably isn’t too much.
It’s not a rat rod. It’s a rat hooptie.
It has character? I guess. Hopefully it matches the vision the owner had for it.
How does this pass the famously strict Japanese inspections?
I’m imagining the design of the owner’s jeans…
I do approve of the Left Hand Brewing sticker in the rear window, support our local (Longmont) Colorado businesses, order a pint today!
The roof is a vinyl wrap, no? It looks way too rusty compared to the rest of the car. Overall though the car looks more like a display piece from the lobby of a vintage clothing store although I have no doubt that mechanically it’s in far better fettle than the exterior image would have one believe.
Early Chrysler LX 300s such as its parking neighbor seem to be on the decline, around here anyway, I don’t see nearly as many anymore on the roads around here but they are quite common in the junkyards.
The roof is a vinyl wrap, no?
Certainly looks that way to me. It seems to be a quite popular thing; just Google “Rust vinyl wrap”. Lots of choices.
Thing hasn’t got a drop of rust in it, and I’d bet a good sushi could be eaten from the subframes beneath, which is where these dears develop terminality. It’s Japan.
Rust wraps? Spare me! Next thing it’ll be car club twits blocking the Sunday byways with fake breakdowns and basketed picnics (and attendant Instagram photos) whilst the “fix” is found.
Were they pulling a 5th wheel with those mirrors? haha.
I’ve heard that Japan has pretty strict vehicle inspections, and I’m kind of surprised that this passed.
Given this was a Yakota car, it could have been through the base paint shop late at night. A friend of mine did that with VWs he sold off base at Kaiserslautern years ago. The paint was always military flat. I do think this is a “tribute” clown car, though.
Alec Issigonis shudders, and rolls over in his grave.
No, he’d hit one of the 7 ashtrays he didn’t manage to put in the Mini
How riveting. Actually the rivets do kind of go with the whole exposed-seam thing, and kind of gives something of a prehistoric-aerospace vibe. I wonder if the vent on the passenger’s side guard helps cooling by passing more air to the radiator?
You can keep those door mirrors though!
The vent gives some air to the addled brain of the owner, who appears to think that Mad Max drove a grubby little Mini instead of a stonking great XB coupe in post Apocalypticia. I’d suggest he got glasses, personally, or watched a better print of the film.
It’s probably got a Hayabusa engine and a racing dog box, or, at minimum, an A-series tuned beyond madness, in which case your engine-bay cooling theory is likely right.
Impressive tow hitch….
Never forget : RUST NEVER SLEEPS and that’s why there are so few original oldies in Japan .
They’re all gone to dust now .
Interesting little Mini in any case .
-Nate
I guess it’s the owner’s taste…..but I’d prefer mine a little less molested
I think it’s the West Coasts that make it completely absurd.
Yet somehow normal for Japan. They do know how to do crazy brilliantly.
Would probably cause some sort of Mods vs Rockers fight over here.
Initial reaction is to set fire to its owner or it, but on a calmer view, live and let rust.
It’s kind-of fun really, as if the poor blighter had been magnetized at some point and then chased through a junkyard, with all this metal clunkalia still clinging on as it escaped.
Poor Woody, though.
This looks like the Japanese interpretation of a more modern Rat Rod, which means every detail was as carefully considered as an ikebana arrangement. Some American car enthusiasts go so far as to import authentic American trash to perfect their car interiors. I noticed the decal on the left side of the rear window that parodies the Intel Inside logo, although I couldn’t make out the details, possibly a Fender guitar?. If it was clean and shiny with another pair of mirrors and a Union Jack roof roundel instead of a tray on the back it would be a four wheeled version of a Mod’s scooter. Fortunately the world is full of old Minis so it’s not like the owner messed up a rare car.