NO RESERVE - 1978 Leyland Mini 850

Highlights

Just 17,775 miles indicated
Four registered owners
Highly original
Historic vehicle status

The Appeal

When it comes to game-changers in the automotive industry, Issigonis’ charming little city car has to be one of the most outstanding. With its superb handling, nippy engines and surprisingly spacious interior, it’s little wonder that it’s remained a favourite since the late 50s.

This particular example is really quite special. Believed to be almost completely original and with just 17,775 miles on the clock, this charming little car is an incredible survivor. Presented in superb condition inside and out, this is a great opportunity to acquire a fine example of an increasingly rare and desirable classic.

FC1UwezumoeWJwbr57CoyszCBSEWfTrKKtDrYqlJ.jpg 3.04 MB

The History and Paperwork

First registered in 1978
Four registered owners from new
Historic vehicle status – tax and MOT exempt
The second owner died and at this point much of the early paperwork was sadly lost
Current keeper since September 2022 – purchased from an auction to use as a daily classic, but they now feel it is “too good” to be used as a daily driver
The vendor believes the car to be completely original
Just 17,775 miles on the odometer
Complete with the original owner’s handbook, sales brochure and correct V5C

auyZG9Qn7l0gF8rA4OKtBYiSRp6na9EC09dptlCY.jpg 3.4 MB

The Interior

Mottled tan vinyl upholstery to the seats and door cards looks to be in excellent condition, with no damage or notable wear we could see
Factory spec black vinyl floor covering present and correct
Cream vinyl headlining is secure and appears to be undamaged, there are just some minor stains and marks
The controls and instruments look well, with no major issues we could identify
The chrome trim around the speedo appears to need re-seating
Fire extinguisher installed in the passenger footwell
The vendor believes that the heated rear screen may have been a later addition
Looking at the boot floor, it is nice and solid, with no evidence we could discern of damage, previous repair or notable corrosion
Original toolkit, spare wheel and jack

ztwMgdNEifzfmBvhep9u5zre2WbGMwJvT3dmeHVt.jpg 2.3 MB

The Exterior

Handsome blue paintwork, believed to be factory and mostly original, presented in overall excellent condition with just a few minor blemishes and stone chips that have been touched in
Neat white double pinstripes running down either flank
Excellent brightwork all appears to be present and correct, with minimal signs of wear
Overall, the bodyshell looks to be in fine fettle, with no dents, damage or notable corrosion we could see
Some possible minor corrosion spots and paint retouching at the edge of the near-side front sill and A-panel, but nothing that would concern us
The vendor believes some minor welding work may have been done to the outer sills
The rear valance and sills look nice and solid, although the front valance may benefit from a little attention
Plugs in the doors and shuts indicate that the car may have been Ziebart treated early in its life
Underneath, the car looks very solid and clean, with no issues we could identify
The underside has been lightly undersealed
10-inch steel wheels with polished hubcaps, shod in Kumho tyres
Original Layland rear mud guards
Passenger side door mirror and reversing lights believed to be later additions

lwlGOVW144nQ5LTsd0DTdtj4OSaBJuW2ZzXbC4jA.jpg 4.21 MB

The Mechanics

850cc A-series engine
There appears to be a minor oil weep from the rocker cover
Four speed manual transmission
Believed to be mechanically very original - even the cardboard battery cover is present
The current keeper has fitted a new battery and had a seized brake cylinder replaced
We’re informed there are no known mechanical issues with the car and that it runs and drives very well indeed, with no smoke underload or untoward noises

dLQlEYgoQetBAKXezmYurKmcHgCeDzcmLTZ8AB3B.jpg 2.47 MB

Summary

While many Cooper and Cooper S models have been well preserved, it’s much less common to see a base 850 kept in such excellent order. We love the charming, spartan nature of the car, offering as it does a pure and unsullied driving experience.

We’ve rarely seen such a clean and apparently original classic Mini, so this should definitely be on the radar of any Mini enthusiasts or classic car collectors in general. A sweet and endearing little machine, it’s raring to go and ready for a few more adventures…

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.

All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification

Year 1978
Make Leyland
Model Mini 850
Colour Blue
Odometer 17,775 Miles
Engine size 850

Auction Details

Seller Type Private
Town Ashford
Location Kent
Country United Kingdom

Bidding history

82 bids

Ri•••• £8,100 12/12/22
fa•••• £8,000 12/12/22
RC•••• £7,900 12/12/22
RC•••• £7,800 12/12/22
Ri•••• £7,700 12/12/22
RC•••• £7,699 12/12/22
RC•••• £7,600 12/12/22
Ri•••• £7,500 12/12/22
Ri•••• £7,400 12/12/22
RC•••• £7,300 12/12/22
Ri•••• £7,200 12/12/22
RC•••• £7,100 12/12/22
Ri•••• £7,000 12/12/22
RC•••• £6,900 12/12/22
Ri•••• £6,800 12/12/22
RC•••• £6,700 12/12/22
Ri•••• £6,600 12/12/22
RC•••• £6,500 12/12/22
Ri•••• £6,400 12/12/22
RC•••• £6,300 12/12/22
RC•••• £6,200 12/12/22
qa•••• £6,100 12/12/22
wi•••• £6,000 12/12/22
qa•••• £5,900 12/12/22
wi•••• £5,800 12/12/22
wi•••• £5,700 12/12/22
qa•••• £5,600 12/12/22
wi•••• £5,500 12/12/22
qa•••• £5,400 12/12/22
wi•••• £5,300 12/12/22
qa•••• £5,200 12/12/22
wi•••• £5,100 10/12/22
RC•••• £5,000 10/12/22
wi•••• £4,900 10/12/22
RC•••• £4,800 10/12/22
wi•••• £4,700 10/12/22
RC•••• £4,600 10/12/22
wi•••• £4,500 10/12/22
RC•••• £4,400 10/12/22
wi•••• £4,300 10/12/22
RC•••• £4,200 10/12/22
RC•••• £4,100 10/12/22
wi•••• £4,000 10/12/22
wi•••• £3,900 10/12/22
RC•••• £3,800 10/12/22
wi•••• £3,700 10/12/22
RC•••• £3,600 10/12/22
wi•••• £3,500 10/12/22
RC•••• £3,400 10/12/22
wi•••• £3,300 10/12/22
RC•••• £3,200 10/12/22
wi•••• £3,100 10/12/22
RC•••• £3,000 10/12/22
wi•••• £2,900 10/12/22
RC•••• £2,800 10/12/22
wi•••• £2,700 10/12/22
RC•••• £2,600 10/12/22
wi•••• £2,500 10/12/22
qa•••• £2,400 10/12/22
wi•••• £2,300 10/12/22
fa•••• £2,200 10/12/22
ma•••• £2,100 10/12/22
Jo•••• £2,000 10/12/22
Jo•••• £1,900 09/12/22
jo•••• £1,800 09/12/22
fa•••• £1,700 09/12/22
fa•••• £1,600 08/12/22
RC•••• £1,500 08/12/22
fa•••• £1,400 08/12/22
RC•••• £1,300 07/12/22
Li•••• £1,200 07/12/22
Li•••• £1,100 07/12/22
hu•••• £1,000 07/12/22
hu•••• £900 05/12/22
Se•••• £800 05/12/22
hu•••• £700 05/12/22
Se•••• £600 05/12/22
hu•••• £500 05/12/22
Se•••• £400 05/12/22
hu•••• £300 05/12/22
Se•••• £200 05/12/22
Se•••• £100 05/12/22

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

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.