Drivers in America hoping to buy an Oxford-built Mini have been warned they face a three-month waiting list.

The first of the new Minis will go on sale in the US in March, but thousands of American fans have joined unofficial waiting lists to buy the car.

The Sports Car Club of America is preparing to approve the car for racing -- once it has models to test. The car is only on display at the Detroit Motor Show.

The show is the biggest of its kind in the world, and Mini's US spokesman Mike McHale said the car was receiving an amazing reception.

He said: "It's all word of mouth, but we have had 100,000 people register for information on our website.

"The last Mini was sold here in 1967, so it has been away a long time and they just do not know what to make of it."

US prices for the Mini were due to be unveiled today, but BMW, which manufactures and distributes the Mini, has said prices will start under £12,500.

A total of 12,000 Minis will be available in the US -- 2,000 more than were sold when the car was on sale in the 1960s.

But Mini Cooper fans will have to wait for their dream car to hit American streets later in the year.