Beschreibung
Here is an opportunity to own a unique vehicle and a piece of Mini history.
In 1999, the Symbol Car Company in England revived the Downton Engineering brand and built a very special five Minis to celebrate 40 years of Alec Issigonis’ British icon. Each was hand-crafted with meticulous attention to detail, and each had its own specification. This is the last of the five, the only one in Australia, and built to a personalised retro specification for the original owner.
It was ordered in 1999, completed in 2000 and air-freighted directly to Perth, WA, in 2002. It has never been registered and today still has less than 400 genuine miles recorded on the odometer – most of which was from running-in the engine on a rolling-road dyno prior to shipment.
Based on the final specification of Rover Mini, with twin-point fuel injection, a front-mounted radiator and computer engine management, the car was customised to pay tribute to the Mk1 Cooper S from the 1960s. To this end, it has been fitted with Mk1 taillights, front grille, and bumper bars. There are also black “rose petal” wheels, “Le Mans”-style fuel cap, Mk1-style wheel arch flares, a boot-mounted Lucas reversing light, a Mk1 boot lid complete with the long fold-down number plate holder, and front driving lights with “Paddy Hopkirk” covers.
Inside features Mk1 parcel shelf with central instruments, interior door trims, period tachometer and an extremely rare Les Leston period wood-rimmed steering wheel. The high-back reclining bucket seats are hand-built to replicate the Works rally style, but with modern padding and quality two-tone leather covers.
Tastefully modified in a classic style, there are plenty of Downton badges on the car to show that this is far from an average Mini.
The engine has been enlarged to 1310cc and puts out 91 bhp (68 kW), thanks to hand-built Omega pistons, duplex timing chain, Downton Stage 3 head, fully-balanced bottom end, up-rated bearings, remapped CPU and more.
Admittedly, conversion for compliance to be registered may require additional costs, but this car would be best suited to the discerning collector of Minis or British classic cars, who is more interested in taking advantage of this one-time offer to own a unique piece of Mini history, paying distinct homage to a 1960s design.
Given this car’s uniqueness, its specification, like-new condition and its ultra-low mileage, it is very competitively priced. This is the closest you will get to a brand new Classic Mini.
