MINI RACING, FLAME, SKY & ROSE

Launched January, 1989

2,000 Mini Racing & Flame's were sold in the UK

UK cars sold in British Racing Green (Racing) with Diamond White roof,

Flame Red (Flame) with Diamond White roof,

Cost when new - £4,795

1,000 Mini Rose & Sky's were sold in the UK

UK cars sold in Diamond White with pastel blue roof (Sky),

Diamond White with pastel pink roof (Rose),

Cost when new - £4,695

Another ?? Mini Racing's, Flame's, Sky's & Rose's were sold in export markets.

For the first time since 1983 the newly renamed Rover Group finally began to acknowledge the potential of the Mini's following and the marketing opportunities available in the run up to the Mini's 30th birthday. The sporting appeal of the Mini was represented in the shape of the Mini Racing and Flame which capitalised on an outward retro look of the '60s Mini Cooper. Contrasting that macho look were the Mini Rose and Sky, with a soft, almost psycadelic retro look of their own, clearly aimed by the marketing department primarily at lady buyers.

The Mini Racing and Flame gave Mini buyers their first taste of what a sporty flavoured Mini could be like, six long years since the Sprite's unique 1980's interpretation. And for the first time since the demise of the Mk2 Mini Cooper in 1969, retro look 'duo-tone' paintwork returned with British Racing Green and Flame Red paintwork being topped off with Diamond White roof's. Interior trim matched the sporting exterior, with Black Crayon fabric seats complementing a sports steering wheel and the 3-dial instruments last seen on the Mini Sprite in 1983, and factory fitted ICE in the shape of a stereo radio/cassette player.

By contrast the Mini Sky and Rose were a unique interpretation of the Mini. Both cars shared Diamond White bodywork, but with roof colours that eaily made each version identifiable - pastel Sky blue for the Mini Sky and pastel Rose pink for the Mini Rose. Like the Racing and Flame, the Sky and Rose's interior trim matched their softer exteriors, with grey Crayon fabric seats complementing the lighter grey interior, and a factory fitted stereo radio/cassette player providing entertainment.

Rarity Rating -

Spares Availability

Mini Racing decals

Mini Flame decals

Other Mini Racing/Flame badges/trims

Mini Sky decals

Mini Rose decals

Members Cars

The UK No.1 Single in January, 1989 was...

Especially For You by Kylie Minogue/Jason Donovan

Also in that year... Some of the news from 1989

Almost 100 footbal fans killed were in Hilsborough disaster... Troops massacred protestors in Tianamen Square... The Eiffel Tower celebrated its 100th birthday... Batman makes it to the big screen... Nintendo launched the world's first hand held portable game console, the Game Boy, which was closely followed by the launch of the world's first technically superior 16-bit colour portable game console, the Atari Lynx... Many died in Thames as Marchioness sinks... Guildford Four went free after 14 years... The 'Berlin Wall' was brought down... Jive Bunny, black Box and Jason Donovan ruled the charts... Bette Davis, Irving Berlin, Don Revie and Harry Worth died...

Last modified: Mar 05, 2003