gunslinger.  did you buy the mini in upstate SC?/ or did you do direct import.. ?? later bc

I’ll definitely add 12 inch wheels to the wish list. Thanks!

just drive it like you STOLE it. and have fun..  later bc

Thank y’all for all the information and warm welcome! I really appreciate it. I’m sure I will have many more questions in the future!

You should have the SEIKI Japanese clocks in your Mini in front of the driverif they are stock, the MPH ones have KPH in the inner circle of them so i would assume the KPH ones have the MPH in the inner circle. If you can't deal with the kph just look for a MPH one preferably from a 998 cc Mini so it is accurate. They come up for sale in the UK or here quite often but usually as a pair or three clocks with the tachometer.

I believe the Netherlands used long rectangular plates like the Brits did so the easiest way to mount it is to make up a backing from aluminum and drill the holes to match. The other way to attach them is with a good brand double sided tape (quite a few that way in the UK) or magnets.

welcome. sure I have a  MPH speedo. I can give you.  I use the universal VW rear tag holder about $20 locally.. btw. I am just up the road in Earl NC.. just off exit 102.. Earl/ Blacksburg . on I 85..  as for the 998.. might just get new carb from Burlen Fuel and Stage one kit with headers..   will do wonders for old 998s..  might also want to rebuild the head..  which will cost about $150-200 from Engine Services here on South Post rd, Shelby NC..  ungrade to electronic dissy..   one last thing.  you look to have 13 inchers on the car.. you need to change back to 12 inch tyres.. and rims..  later Bill Cox Monte Carlo Minis Ltd..  1.704.487.6797 home

Welcome! You're in for a lot of fun.

Q2) I think you'll find that you'll almost always be going slower than you think you are—usually under the posted speed limit [link]. I used a phone app called "Speedy" until I calibrated my speedometer. It so happens that Speedy looks exactly like my actual Smiths magnolia-faced speedo, which was a plus.

Q3) If and when you grow tired of the shriek of your engine and the whine of your transmission at highway speeds, you might consider this [link].

+1 for welcome!

1) No idea about a commercial plate adapter.  For the amount of work involved I would probably make my own adapter plate.
2) My car also has a metric speedometer.  I tinkered with several speedometer variants over the years.  At this time I have chosen to keep my KPH speedometer and I have added a $25 (eBay) plug-in USB powered GPS speedometer (no odometer).  It works well.  Its only drawback is that it takes a minute or two to acquire satellites when first powered up.  If you just want to keep up with how fast you are driving and be "close enough", multiply KPH by 0.6  It is not exact but it is close enough.
3) My car has 10" tires and the 3.44 final drive gearing.  Running 65 MPH is close to 4k RPM.  I have chosen to drive slower on secondary roads rather than use Interstates and high-speed roads.  I just arrive happier and less tired.

If you have not already done so, buy a service manual.  Haynes is a reasonably priced manual but make sure the one you buy covers your model year.  As you work on your car buy more manuals.  You can never have too many references.  Though your car is much later than mine, it is safe to say these are not Toyotas and Hondas.  They require much more frequent maintenance. Doing some or all of your own work will both save you money and give you a sense of satisfaction.

Again, welcome and enjoy your car.

Welcome and congratulations!

For the kph to mph issue, do the math for the posted speed limits in your area and put small/tiny labels on the speedo glass to indicate the speed limits. e.g 25mph ~ 40kph, 40mph ~ 60kph, 60mph ~ 100kph.

If you have a gps or a  smartphone app for speedometer, you can check the accuracy of your Mini's speedo - some aren't all that accurate.

Enjoy!

Thank you for the warm welcome!  I have updated my location (not sure how I missed that).  I have a 1990 Mini 1000.  It was built in England in June of 1990 and shipped to the Netherlands.  It is an original left hand drive. 

I am very glad to hear the engine is so tough.  The noise doesn't bother me.  I think noise and vibration add to the go cart feeling.  I don't mind the KPH speedo.  I am a little slow in doing the conversion in my head while I am driving.  I am sure the longer I drive it, the easier it will be to figure out the speed by the sound of the engine. 

I love driving it around town.  It is definitely a good conversation piece and everyone wants to take a picture.  I think in the past couple years, I have only seen one other classic Mini in my area.

We need a few more details to answer you correctly. There are a lot of small differences over the years.
What year is the Mini?
As the speedo is in KPH what market was it originally built for?

998's are great engines and will run all day at 70 mph but as most were fitted with the 3.44 differential ratio i find them happiest at 65 mph.
Stay off the highways and cruise the back roads , in a Mini its loads more fun.

Welcome!

1) I think so, but can't remember the details. Someone else will.
2) Shouldn't be hard to find a used speedo. You may even be able to buy a remanufactured one from this site or others. Note - one of my Minis is in KPH. It doesn't bother me - I know what speed I am going from the engine noise.
3) It will get noisy for sure. It was really designed for slower speeds. But the 998 is bullet proof. If you can stand the noise and vibrations, you are not going to harm it at freeway speeds. Just don't over-rev in lower gears in a 998 and change oil often
4) Please fill in your profile - location is important to answers to many questions.

Good morning / afternoon everyone.  I have been on the hunt for a Mini for the last ten years and I either didn't have the money for one or it just wasn't the right time.  The time was finally right and I was able to import one.  I am now the proud owner of a Mini 1000.  This is also my first time posting to the forum.  I had a few random questions regarding my new addition. 

Question 1:  Is there a license plate mounting bracket that fits the original European plate holes on the car that would allow me to mount my US license plate without having to drill additional holes?

Question 2: My current speedometer is calibrated for KPH.  Is there anywhere that I can search for a replacement speedometer in MPH that won't break the bank?  Would I be able to change the speedometer facia to read MPH and if so, where would I might be able to locate or search for one? 


Question 3:  I currently have the 998cc engine.  It runs very well.  However, The Mini does not seem to enjoy traveling down the interstate.  Is 70 / 75 MPH too much for this engine? The last thing I want to do is hurt my Mini and I am still learning what I can and can't do while driving her. 

Thank y'all in advance for any information.  I am sure I will have many more questions in the future.