1973 Authi Mini Cooper 1340 (LHD)

Highlights

  • Completed just 8,000 miles since full restoration
  • Bare metal respray and full mechanical overhaul
  • Professionally retrimmed interior

The Appeal

This fantastic example of a classic Mini provides an opportunity to acquire an iconic classic car that has already gone through the painstaking process of restoration.
The labour of love process included a retrimmed interior and a full strip-down and bare-metal respray of the bodywork, as well as an overhaul of the mechanicals to ensure it runs and drives as a Mini should.
Having only completed 8,000 miles since then, mostly in the hands of the current enthusiast owner who has had the car for the last 10 years, it is now ready to be enjoyed after being stored and looked after by a well-regarded Mini specialist.

The History and Paperwork

  • LHD example originally built in Spain
  • Now registered in UK; original Spanish registration plates and registration information present
  • Comprehensive restoration process completed in 2005
  • Large file of historic invoices dating back to the 1980s
  • Photographs detailing the restoration
  • Current owner has had the car for 10 years and is garage-kept
  • Maintained by classic Mini specialists Little Legends

The Interior

  • Interior in near-perfect condition
  • Custom black leather upholstery
  • Newton deluxe carpets are in excellent order
  • Newton headlining has been professionally replaced and is mint
  • New radio in keeping with the time period has been fitted
  • All switchgear and gauges function correctly
  • Boot area in fine fettle with spare wheel present
Step inside this beautifully restored Mini and you’ll find a virtually blemish and damage-free cabin that has been fully retimmed, with the owner describing the interior condition as a nine out of ten.
From the stunning black leather seats and period-correct steering wheel to the fantastic damage-free dashboard and door cards, you very much get the feeling that this is a car that has been well-loved and well looked after, certainly for the last 20 years of its life.

The Exterior 

  • Professional bare metal respray completed in the early 2000s
  • Included sandblasting of the body shell
  • Gorgeous shade of Rover Tahiti Blue
  • All exterior chrome has been replaced and is in fabulous order
  • Wheels and tyres are all in good condition
  • Underside is in good shape with the owner informing us that there is no signs of corrosion
Having only completed 8,000 miles since it was fully restored, this exquisite example of an Authi Mini absolutely looks the part on the outside. The quality of the respray is evident from the moment you approach the car, with very few noticeable blemishes and the paintwork shining nice and bright.
With the wheels and tyres in good order and all of the brightwork having been replaced for brand-new items, overall the owner would grade the car an eight out of ten for condition.
The only faults to note would be a few minor stone chips, some scuff marks from where the wheel arches have been removed and some marks near the roof and at the top of the bonnet.

Mini-3776.jpg 15.71 MB

The Mechanics 

  • Stage 3 unleaded competition ensures plenty of power from the 1340cc engine
  • K&N air filter plus upgraded carburettor needle also contribute to excellent performance
  • Jack Knight 5-speed gearbox and competition cross-pin differential make the most of the increased power
  • Maniflow inlet and exhaust manifolds plus an RC40 stainless steel exhaust system means this Mini sounds as good as it goes
  • Handling is on point thanks to KAYABA gas shock absorbers and adjustable heavy-duty tie bars
  • 7.5” brake disc assembly from a Cooper S
  • Engine bay is supremely clean and tidy
The mechanicals of this particular Mini are in fine fettle with the car said to start, stop, sound and drive exactly as it should. The upgraded transmission changes gear smoothly and there are no untoward noises coming from the suspension or steering components.

Summary

If you’re looking for a classic Mini that has had all of the hard restoration work done for you, then this could be the perfect example. Some tasteful upgrades and a comprehensive maintenance record mean that it both looks the part and is fun to drive.

Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1973
  • Make Authi
  • Model Mini Cooper
  • Colour Blue
  • Odometer 7,220 Miles
  • Engine size 1300
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Leigh on Sea
  • Location Essex
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
40 bids
  • Ge•••• £10,750 26/07/22
  • Sc•••• £10,500 26/07/22
  • Ge•••• £10,250 26/07/22
  • Sc•••• £10,000 26/07/22
  • Ge•••• £9,900 26/07/22
  • GI•••• £9,800 26/07/22
  • GI•••• £9,700 26/07/22
  • Ge•••• £9,600 26/07/22
  • Ge•••• £9,500 26/07/22
  • GI•••• £9,400 26/07/22
Message C&C Auction Team

The Gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.