This Mini is a storied, rally-prepared example of the iconic British city car, which boasts significant rallying provenance.
Notably, it is recorded as being the last Mini to start a World Championship Rally event, having participated in the WRC in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 (the last event being the Telstra Rally Australia); as well as multiple other international events.
Under the bonnet now sits a naturally-aspirated 1.3-litre twin-point fuel-injected inline-four, driving the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission.
Originally an Austin Mini 1000 model, this example was rebuilt to Group N specification in the mid-1990s by Trevor Godwin of Coventry Automotive using a brand new body shell supplied by Rover Sport.
While it has the chassis number of a 1978 Mini, this is why it has been entered on modern era rallies as a ‘Rover Mini Cooper’.
This car’s rallying history has been immortalised in a Corgi model car miniature (number 04425), showing ‘WNR 30S’ in its 1998 Rallye Catalunya livery.
This Mini is an eye-catching rally-prepared example of the characterful classic British city car, which was rebuilt to Group N specification in the mid-1990s, and boasts significant rallying provenance. Recorded as the last Mini to participate in a World Rally Championship event, and presented in good condition with a remarkably well-documented history; it would make a distinctive addition to any motorsport-themed collection, and a charming yet competitive entrant for historic rally, hill climb, and other race events.
The last Mini to start a World Championship Rally 1978 ‘Rover Mini Cooper’ Rally Car

This particular Mini was built to Group N specification for international rallying in the mid-1990s by Trevor Godwin of the well-known rally preparation company, Coventry Automotive.
Having shown little interest in direct involvement with motor sport since the dissolution of the Abingdon Competitions Department in 1970, Rover Group had re-homologated the Mini for motor sport in 1994 and for the next few years funded an international rallying campaign, two of the first cars being built for the factory by Coventry Automotive.
Trevor had spotted the forlorn looking 1978 Mini 1000 in a local yard and bought the Coventry-registered car, which was built up using a brand new bodyshell supplied by Rover Sport and new components throughout.
The 1.3-litre twin-point fuel-injected motor had first become available for 1997 and this latest version of the venerable A-Series engine was fitted to ‘WNR 30S’, which was entered by Coventry Automotive as a ‘Rover Mini Cooper’.
Together with co-driver Rick Spurgeon, Trevor had been campaigning another Mini, ‘WNR 904S’, switching to ‘WNR 30S’ for the first time in 1997 to contest the Neste Rally Finland in August of that year, finishing in 50th position. Later in ’97 they drove ‘WNR 30S’ in the RAC Rally, coming home 83rd. The Mini’s first outing in 1998 was at the Rallye Catalunya in April, from which it retired, followed by the Neste Rally Finland (56th). Corgi Toys later issued a model of the Mini carrying its Catalunya number (’94’).
At this time Coventry Automotive’s other Mini, ‘WNR 904S’, was still being used for certain events.
‘WNR 30S’ was next used for an international rally in 2001, contesting the Neste Rally Finland again, Trevor Godwin and Ian Harrop retiring the car on Stage 7.
Then, in November 2004 as its homologation was about to expire, ‘WNR 30S’ entered the history books as the very last Mini to take part in an international (WRC) rally when it started the Telstra Rally Australia. Sadly for Messrs Godwin and Harrop, the venture was ended by an electrical gremlin on Stage 6.
Sold by Coventry Automotive circa 2006, this historic Mini rally car is offered with FIA homologation papers, RAC Rally logbook and Swansea V5 document.