Description
Absolutely stunning. The subject of a very recent £4819 investment for recommissioning, servicing and extensive detailing, this fabulous Mini, presented in unmarked Island Blue, has covered just 42, 400 miles from new and boasts an exceptional specification being an automatic model with rare factory air-conditioning. With genuine show potential, this is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after of the special editions and we anticipate considerable investor/ collector interest.
With a production run spanning 41 years, the Mini has become an absolute icon of British popular culture. Designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis, this diminutive 2-door saloon was initially built at the Longbridge and Cowley plants but it`s huge global popularity saw cars produced under licence in places as far away as Venezuela and South Africa. An estate version and two light commercials, a van and a pick-up, soon formed part of the line-up and when it`s competition potential was recognised, huge rally success came with a string of Cooper variants. During the 1980`s and 1990`s, an increasing number of limited editions were launched featuring different trims, badging and mechanical upgrades. Based upon the Cooper S, the 40th Anniversary Edition was launched in April 1999 with just 800 units produced: 250 for the UK, 150 for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and 400 left-hand drive examples for European Export. The UK and JDM cars came in a choice of 3 colours, Mulberry Red, Old English White or Island Blue, whilst other colour choices were available in Europe and cars came equipped with the 1275cc multi-point injection (single-point for Japan), colour-matched leather seats, plenty of chrome and leather cabin detailing, an optional Webasto sunroof, a CD player, spotlights, 13” alloys and Sportspack arches. The JDM examples wore slightly smaller 12” alloys without the arches whilst all came fitted with standard air-conditioning and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
Our Mini is indeed one of the JDM cars and was privately imported into the UK in May 2019. Presented in stunning Island Blue with Blue Hide interior, this automatic variant was first MoT inspected upon importation at 61, 290 kms (around 38, 250 miles) before first registration in July of the same year. Several months later, the car was sold to a lady enthusiast in Bedale in the Yorkshire Dales who retained the Mini until May 2023. During her ownership, the car was used sparingly, serviced regularly and notably, in November 2020, the dash was removed and the kilometer clocks replaced with a mileage units set to zero. With a recorded 64, 679 kms at this point, the Mini subsequently covered around 2, 000 miles before heading South to Bridgwater, Somerset in 2023. Acquired by a serial Mini enthusiast, the car was totally garage-stored for 3 years other than venturing 2 miles for an MoT inspection in August 2024. In February 2026, it was taken to Quantock Classics in Bridgwater for an appraisal with a brief to bring the Mini back to show condition. What was effectively a whole week`s work (36. 5 hours) centred on light restoration, paintwork, mechanical recommissioning and considerable detailing and can be summarised as follows:
Replacement N/ S door skin with appropriate primer and paintwork including full dis-assembly and refit
Rust treatment of lower inner panel, boot floor and front lower panel
Fit new scuttle panel grommets
Apply full under body protection
Replace O/ S and N/ S CV boots
Replace rear exhaust
Fit front and rear screen inserts
Supply, paint and fit new wiper arms
Supply and fit new O/ S and N/ S door mirrors with appropriate paintwork
Full fluid change and service
Supply and fit new hazard light switch
Remove rocker cover, check valve clearances and refit with new gasket
New tyres all `round
Replace bulbs as necessary
Full machine polish and new pin-stripes applied
Fresh MoT Certificate
A bill was subsequently presented equating to £4819. All paid up, our keeper of 3 years decided that it was time to sell and we were fortunate enough to acquire it. Since our purchase, the Mini has once again been through an on-ramp appraisal and inspection albeit, unsurprisingly, we could little to fault. Indeed, quite the opposite. We were massively impressed by the overall condition of the car and especially the underside. Photographs are available for interested parties. Original fluted sills with vents isn`t something we see that often!
The MIni presents just as can be seen in the photographs. It is virtually immaculate. Body work and panel fit is superb and Island Blue paint similarly excellent with just one or two very minor age-related blemishes, if you really take the time to look for them. But we are talking of a couple of light scratches and a touched-in stone chip. It is that good. Chrome, glass and trim are all commensurate. Inside, the fabulous Blue Hide interior is equally gorgeous with unmarked carpets, perfect door cards, dash and headlining. It is easy to forget that this is a 27-year car that hasn`t been restored. There is light wear apparent but more akin with something just 5 years old. Again, it is that good. Everything, including the factory-fitted air-conditioning, works perfectly and on the road, it performs just as one would hope and expect. Seamless changes from the automatic gearbox ensure smooth and surprisingly rapid acceleration, whilst typical Mini handling with super-positive steering and excellent brakes encourage spirited driving. On a sunny Spring morning, I took the Mini for a spin across the West Dorset Downs and loved every minute. It`s been a while since I`ve enjoyed the charms of an automatic Mini and had forgotten just how much fun they can be.
The Mini comes with it`s original Book Pack including Owner`s Handbook, In-Car Entertainment Guide and Security Card, sundry bills since importation and importantly, the latest receipt from Quantock Classics of February 2026 detailing all recent work as outlined above, MoT Certificates from 2020 to the present day including a current one to February 2027 and a current V5C.
Worthy of any collection, this is a superb opportunity to acquire a stunning example of a highly appointed limited edition Mini. You will genuinely struggle to find better.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today. We are happy to take a reservation fee to hold a vehicle but as a dealership, we don`t operate a structured distance selling scheme.
