Minimalist Minis are not enough.
There won’t be many people complaining about the size of the original mini back in those days. The classic Morris Mini measured just 120.2 inches (3.054 millimeters). The car’s name wasn’t a coincidence.
Some people think that this little wonder of packaging needs to be shortened by several inches. Some people literally cut them up and make them into a Shorty. One of these Shorties is for sale in England.
How much smaller is the Shorty than a Mini standard? Although there aren’t exact measurements, some people say that it is seven inches (180mm) smaller than regular Minis. From bumper to bumper, it measures approximately 113 inches (2.870 mm). This is even shorter than some full-sized SUVs. It’s pocket-sized, even the Smart ForTwo will look huge next to it.
The doors of the Shorty were modified to accommodate the shorter wheelbase in order to make it look more proportional. The roof shape was also reflected in the window frames. The interior is more intimate for both the driver and the passenger. These seats are the standard Mini rear bench, but have been rearranged to accommodate the parking brake.
Its performance is probably what you are most curious about. The standard 998cc A-Series engine still powers this Shorty with 38 horsepower (29 Kilowatts) & 52 lbft (71 Newton-meters). Although the Mini was never a performance car due to its 1.0-liter engine, the car should be able to go a bit faster with some of the bodywork removed. The Mini even comes with a custom exhaust.
It will soon be available for auction and it will be fascinating to see what it sells for. The Mini Shorty is proving that even a car twice its size can be twice as much fun.