Here's an interesting bit of info that just came into the MotoringFile inbox:

I recently discovered that Mini Cooper transformers (of Men of Metal compaign) will be manufactured by a company in Japan. I encoutered this information through import video games shop National Console Support, who is taking preorders now for November delivery.

www.ncsx.com/2004/ncs071204/ncs0712f.htm

I am not affiliated with NCS. I'm a happy customer for five years and a MCS owner for 1/2 years. I thought Mini community might find this more interesting than the video game community will.

Regards,
Benjamin S. Yu

On the site there's even more details:

Takara has started preorders for the Binaltech BT-09 toy which will feature the Mini Cooper. Pricing for the BT-09 is set at Y4980 in Japan and NCS expect to list at US$53.