Mini Raro-Matic: The First & Final Carbureted 1.3-Automatic

Meet the Mini you didn’t know existed. This is the Brooks Mini Raro-Matic, a 1992 Mini-Matic that redefines rarity. It represents a crucial transition period, being the first 1.3 Automatic produced just before the less engaging SPi fuel injection system took over.

We believe this is the first, and perhaps the only, 1.3 Automatic Mini with a Carb available online.

Why This Car Is So Unique
This highly sought-after model boasts the 1275cc Automatic gearbox combined with a HIFF38 Carburetor. Making this Mini one of the first 1275cc automatics produced but at the same time the very last carbureted one. The way less engaging to drive (and to work on for us!) SPi fuel injection system took over due to fuel-economy reasons but makes it significantly less fun and reliable; this one definitely beats her successors. She’s only been produced in a very short transition period, where the SPi system was not available yet but the 1.3 gearbox was already. Total production rates of this 1.3-carb-automatic only reached circa ±150 cars, with even fewer remaining today. And this one has an original mileage of only 52,791 KM on the clock!

From Japanese Luxury to European Rarity
While the Mini in Europe was often a basic car, in Japan, it became the ultimate lifestyle statement during the ’90s. The economic boom fueled a demand for the most luxurious options—like the smooth, rare Automatic Gearbox, which nearly doubled the purchase price. Thousands of automatics were shipped to Japan, but these were Right-Hand Drive (RHD) cars built for their market and almost all with the later SPi fuel injection system.

This Mini-Matic, being Left-Hand Drive (LHD) with the desirable carbureted engine, is a double anomaly in the Mini world. The specific 1.3 Automatic Carb model, to our knowledge, likely only received type approval in France. This means the Raro-Matic offers the same desirable automatic convenience that the Japanese market prized, combined with the superior driving feel of the carb system, all in the incredibly scarce LHD format used in mainland Europe.

The Find: An Italian Family in the Apennine Mountains
We found this special Mini deep in the Apennine Mountains of Italy, just east of Rome, having been imported from France where she was originally delivered. This Italian region is key: the dry climate means the car has had no real experience with rain or salty weather. The bodywork is truly good, visible in the wheel arches where the original paintwork is still present.

The Mini was owned by a family company that installed road signs. When I went to view the car and take the test drive, almost the entire family was there. They were there to give her a fond farewell, but also—in true Italian spirit—to give their spirited opinion on the negotiation!

Mechanical Heart and Interior Luxury
This Mini is currently in our workshop and has received the care and attention it deserves.

Mechanically, she is in a real solid condition: the automatic gearbox shifts super smoothly, and the engine runs great. We performed an extensive service, including new filters, oil, valve clearance, spark plugs, cables, exhaust pipe and rubbers, and a host of other thorough maintenance items. The car has been given some anti-rust proofing on the known weak spots to preserve its condition.

On the interior she has undergone a great transformation. The seats are finished in white leather with white stitching, while the original carpet is in exceptional condition. There’s added extra sound deadening to the floors for more comfort.

Technical Highlights

Engine & Drivetrain

• Engine Spec: 1275cc Engine (Code 12A2BG05 240668).
• Mileage: Original mileage of only 52,791 KM.
• Gearbox: Automatic gearbox with Park function (AP MKIIb), fully serviced.
• Fuel System: Original HIFF38 carb (HIF38 MAC10032, AEM Needle, Red Spring) with Electronic ignition—a rare, pre-SPi system.
• Performance: 9.4:1 compression ratio, 3.27:1 Final Drive.
• Maintenance: New valve cover in black and a new V-belt.

Underneath & Body

• Exhaust: New old stock exhaust to the back with new rubbers.
• Flooring: Some additional anti-rust proofing has been added to the floors to preserve the integrity.

Cosmetic & Functional

• Wheels: Pepper pot rims 12 inch.
• Striping: Custom-made stripes with a nod to her French heritage.
• Chrome: New front grille chrome, window chrome renewed, and a new fuel cap.
• Rubber: New rubber strip on the sides.
• Accessories: New window wipers, comes with original jack and spare tyre.

With our Brooks Mini Raro-Matic, you aren’t just buying a Mini; you are purchasing a rare, technically superior piece of automotive heritage with a unique story, mechanically ready for its next chapter.