Z Cars - 1977 Classic Mini reimagined Honda K20 power.

Diminutive by Z Cars - Classic Mini reimagined. Honda K20 power. New factory build. Unique daily driver.

Here at Quick and Big Ltd we are privileged to be able to offer to the market, on behalf of Diminutive by Z Cars, their newly factory built, high octane, turn key Honda K20 powered reimagined classic Mini.
Our resto mod Mini has just been completed (more photographs to follow) by Diminutive by Z Cars to the highest of standards, it was due to have been a demonstrator for a new international distributer. As such our mid Honda K20 VTEC engined, rear wheel drive example is presented in as new condition. Having been a built as demonstrator, its also equipped with a very high specification, suitable as a daily driver. As a new built example, a 6 month Diminutive by Z Cars warranty accompanies our reimagined classic.

The story of Z Cars is compelling, nearly three decades of British engineering and ingenuity. Z Cars was originally founded in 1999, and quickly built up an almost cult following for its wild factory and kit built creations, its most popular engine swaps / conversations were for the Classic Mini.

Nearly two decades later the rights to the conversions and brand name were sold to David Rose, a long standing customer of Z Cars and a new company (Z Cars Evolution Ltd) was formed now based in Ashford, Kent.

David’s new company has invested significant time, engineering prowess and cash, developing the Z Cars brand into a bespoke manufacturer of turnkey, high octane, restomods, again based (but not exclusively) on the Classic Mini .

Z Cars Evolution staying true to the extreme Z Cars heritage, whilst offering new levels of refinement, safety, technology, and potential everyday usability. So much so, almost none of the original Z Cars kit components exist in a modern factory built car, its Z Cars DNA however is still firmly embedded in these awesome machines.

Z Cars Evolution have global aspirations for their continuation classics. As such they have recently rebranded as “Diminutive” by Z Cars, exclusively manufacturing in house, beautifully engineered, turnkey, extreme (up to 500bhp), restomods. These ever more extreme, advanced, technically accomplished, comfortable, safety focussed cars of the highest quality are attracting huge social media audiences and customers from around the world, for these bespoke high performance classics.

There are a couple of recent YouTube Z Cars Evolution / Diminutive by Z Cars, videos, showing their high quality builds in action. Just search on YouTube for Officially Gassed and Petrol Ped.

In short, the crazy Z Cars ethos remains, but Diminutive by Z Cars, has moved restomod Mini’s on to a higher level, to plagiarise a beer commercial of my youth, they are “probably the best restomod Classic Mini’s in the World”!

The Restomod scene for re-engineered iconic cars is growing at pace, you could argue that Z Cars were right in there at the beginning of the trend for Restomods. Indeed Diminutive by Z Cars heritage pre dates most of the new entrants into the restomod market. Their stunning “Mini’s reimagined” set the new bench mark, others try to imitate.

A quick “google” reveals what great value Diminutive by Z Cars, UK based enthusiast built Restomods are. It’s very easy to spend over £150k on a restomoded Ford Escort, over £250k on an Alfa, over £500k on a Volvo, and £600k on a Jaguar, there are of course many others. In the UK and across the pond other classic Mini Restomod manufacturers, are marketing their offerings at £100-200k plus.

The stunning, newly built, Diminutive by Z Cars example for sale here, offers the modernity of a Honda K20 VTEC mounted amidships, this factory built example is not only a track day warrior, its fully trimmed and useable as an extreme daily driver.
You have the potential to be its first owner since completion. To have one built to this specification would costs well over £65,000. Beat the 9-12 month waiting list, and make a significant saving versus the list price.

The K20 EP3 engine as found in our car, originated in the Honda Civic Type R (2001 – 2005). The K20 in our new built example has been fully serviced, including all seals and gaskets, replacement timing chain and water pump by Z Cars.
The 2 litre, VTEC K20 engine as attained legendary status, prices of this engine and indeed its donor car are appreciating. The VTEC’s high revving capability, reliability, tunability and aural sound track (like a large bike engine, without some of the compromises) make it a firm “petrol head” favorite.

Whilst the power peaks @ around 215 bhp at circa 7400 revs for the largely standard EP3 seen here, they redline nearer to 8k rpm. With a rolling road session, the standard engine can be mapped to deliver over 240 bhp, with peak power over 8k with some Civic Type R owners having the limiter set at 8750rpm. There is a huge tuning scene for the Honda VTEC engines and over 350bhp is only a Supercharger away.

Diminutive by Z Cars are more than happy to retro fit a Rotrex C30 Supercharger set up, delivering around 350bhp, for an additional £5000 (plus vat).

Our Classic Mini (VLX717S) was first registered in 1977 and as such is over 40 years old, it is therefore registered as a “historic vehicle”. As such is currently road tax exempt and should the owner wish also MOT exempt. We will of course put a fresh MOT on it for its new potential owner’s benefit.

Briefly our, factory built example (a number of build photographs accompany the car) comes complete with a seamless tubular steel “Safety Devices” space frame, using ROPT (Rollover Protection Tube), with detachable rear cradle to facilitate easy maintenance and future engine swaps (eg Eco Boost 1.6 / 2.3, VAG 2.0TFSI / Busa Gen 1/2), its exhaustive spec includes:
· Restored and reinforced steel shell.
· Pearlescent White paint with gloss Black roof (donor car was originally white, so no colour change on V5).
· Taller driver spec (6 feet 4, no problem)
· Miglia arches
· Stainless bumper set
· EP3 K20 1998cc engine.
· Drive-by-wire.
· Z Cars street spec chassis incorporating:
· Front Subframe with double wishbone coilover suspension
· K20 modular removable engine cradle with trailing arm coilover suspension
· Red powdercoating
· Z Cars aluminum fluids package.
· Large capacity radiator
· 34L fuel tank
· Honda S2000 seats.
· Z Cars Dashboard.
· CANBus electronics package incorporating:
· ECUMaster PMU-16
· ECUMaster EMU Black ECU
· ECUMaster ADU 5” display
· CANBus loom
· Multi function Z Cars steering wheel controls, including cruise control, traction control indicators, horn, and wash wipe
· Cruise control
· Traction control
· LED headlights
· Push button start
· Dual rear-mounted Spal 4” fans and floating number plate.
· Heated front screen.
· Heated rear screen.
· Z Cars 10-piece covered bulkhead.
· Z Cars 2.5” sports exhaust.
· OBP pedal box.
· Z Cars big brake kit (260mm vented front discs with Wilwood 4 pot calipers, alloy bells and caliper brackets with rear solid 260mm discs).
· Z Cars adjustable steering column for reach and rake.
· 7x13 Minilight wheels with Yokohama A539 175x50R13 tyres.
· Aero bonnet catches.
· Carbon bonnet stays.
· Bearmach LED Headlights.
· Removable steering wheel.
· Sound deadened and trunk liner covered bulkhead
· OMP quick release steering wheel
· Bespoke carpet set
. Electric Heater
. A Cooler works short gear shifter is on order, and will be retro fitted on arrival.

Invariably, these type of cars have traditionally been labelled as track-focused cars. With the Restomod bias, this one has been built to be used more regularly, be it a commute or for a longer journey perhaps to a car event. Arriving at that destination a little more relaxed with the aid of the traction and cruise control.

As a new built example, a 6 month warranty is also provided by Diminutive by Z Cars for the lucky new owners benefit. Ongoing support (and a growing community of enthusiast’s worldwide) is only a phone call or click away, David and his team are passionate about what they do and are accessible to their customers.

It is of course HPI clear, a full HPI report will be available to potential purchasers.

Many thanks for wading through our lengthy description, we believe it’s better to describe our cars fully. It is not in our interest to waste your time or ours, with inaccurate or incomplete descriptions.

Our brand new, factory built, K20 powered, Diminutive Restomod, really does tick all the Quick and Big Ltd boxes, it is great value, bang on trend, very quick, beautifully presented, useable as a daily driver and totally unique.

Importantly our reimagined Mini doesn’t come with some of the compromises associated with extreme, roof less, kit / track focused “weekend“ cars, it is potentially usable as a very cool daily driver, rather than being left to languish in the garage from one MOT to the next!

Please visit the photographs again as they form part of the description, familiarise yourselves with our terms and conditions and use the “contact us” tab at the top of the page, to arrange a viewing / test drive by appointment. Any inspection is welcome. Finance available (subject to status). Part exchange particularly if it’s quick, big or unusual a pleasure.