Perfect timing from MotoringFile:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2020/04/...-mini-forever/

:

Because I just saw a rare prototype tach turn up for sale on the ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333580825272

Might be had for a right bargain too!

I was contemplating buying it but decided against it so I'm posting about it here in case someone else may be interested in such a historical artifact.

To be honest, I was mostly interested in the black face panel and would've disassembled it just for that as it is "factory made" and likely higher quality than the aftermarket gauge faces, and even those are somewhat difficult to get a hold of these days.

I like the orange too.







As you see, it's a little different from final production.

Besides the obvious color difference, it has little notched scallops in the decor ring, which you can also see in this 1999 news article photo:



:

Time warp video:

 

Interesting find. Wonder if it would work?

 

The green connector looks right.

It doesn't appear to be zero'd out though as the needle is resting at an odd spot, so it might be out of calibration?

Warning lights likely wouldn't line up either as euro-spec is different from North American spec.



But yeah,
I thought it was very interesting too!

 

Wow, must be from that old prototype MINI we saw on ebay a year or so ago?

 

It’s so cool it does 1000 rpm just sitting on the counter. Interesting piece.

 

Indeed it may be.

This old thread has some good info & pix of prototypes:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ongbridge.html

And this old testing video of extremes cold/hot is interesting to see the subtle differences of exterior,
but no good interior shots sadly.


Yes, it is a cool historical artifact for sure.

I think they determined they'd use silver face fairly early from what I can tell and there's likely not many of these early black designs out there.

Although it does look a bit plain and minimalistic in this application,
orange on black can look great when done up proper.