Gay underachiever who spent too much money for something so basic. Here is a cool setup and yes they made pickup versions of the mini back in the day. I am sure a rear subframed v8 conversion would cost just a tad less that 25k.
http://www.gtd40club.co.uk/images/RememberWhen/Mini%20above.JPG
http://www.gtd40club.co.uk/images/RememberWhen/Ray%20Christopher%20in%20mini%20in%20the%20wet.jpg