Mini Ritz - January 1985

Although use of upmarket London locations first started when the Mini HLE became the Mayfair in 1982, the Mini Ritz was the first of the 'London Collection' themed Limited Edition Mini's. The Mini Ritz was the follow-up to the Mini 25 Anniversary Special Edition, and in many ways the car the Mini 25 should have been. Clearly Austin Rover were inspired by the Mini 25's success and attempted to improve on it. Whereas the Mini 25 had made do with Nimbus grey bumpers and door handles, the Mini Ritz got smart classy chrome items. Similarly, the Mini 25's steel wheels and plastic wheel trims from the old 1275GT were replaced by the first factory produced 12" Mini alloy wheels with low profile tyres, although the Nimbus grey wheel arch extensions remained.

The Mini Ritz had a red triple coachline running around the body, with Art Deco inspired 'Ritz' logo's featured on the rear side panels and bootlid, with the steering wheel also sporting a 'Ritz' logo. In the 'co-ordinated fashion of the eighties' the interior was trimmed in Claret (red), Prussian Blue and Osprey (grey) velvet, with the head restraints of reclining front seats trimmed in Prussian Blue. Colour co-ordinated continued with Prussian Blue carpets and for the first time in a Mini, colour co-ordinated Prussian Blue Mayfair style two clock instruments & fascia. Colour-keyed seat belts and door bins, again in Prussian Blue completed the interior. The Mini Ritz was the first Limited Edition to feature rear seat belts (although only in lap belt form), a factory fitted push-button radio, chrome locking petrol cap and a chrome exhaust pipe trim.

Part Number	Description	Price (UK Pounds Sterling)
JPC 3102	O/S front wing	£9.72
JPC 3103	N/S front wing	£9.72
JPC 3100	O/S door	NLS
JPC 3101	N/S door	NLS
JPC 3104	O/S rear body side	NLS
JPC 3105	N/S rear body side	NLS
JPC 3106	Boot lid	£6.70

Notes:	1.	Reproduction Mini Ritz 'RITZ' decals are available in the UK at most of the major Mini shows and Auto Jumble's.
	2.	Prices quoted are in UK Pounds Sterling and in the UK are subject to VAT @ 17.5%.
	3.	NLS = No Longer Serviced (i.e. not available from Rover)
	4.	Prices quoted are from the Rover Parts Retail Price List effective from 5th July 1999.

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