The Mini Van was produced by BMC in both Morris and Austin versions, based on the longer Traveller/Countryman floor pan but without side windows.  It was a popular choice as a light commercial from its launch in 1963 to the end of production in 1983.  It was also popular a cheap car as it was classed as a commercial vehicle and as such carried no sales tax. Simply built and humbly equipped, with simple stamped steel slots serving in place of a more costly chrome grille.

Once a common sight on Britain’s streets it was popular choice for small businesses for local deliveries as well as utility companies who ran large fleets.  Finally replaced in 1983 by the more modern Metro van they are now rare as most were worked ‘til they broke or rotted away. 

This attractive Morris Mini van was ordered by the London Electricity Board and built to their specifications, first registered in September 1975. It has had just three further owners.  This specification included two spare wheels, one in the rear of the van, and one mounted behind the passenger seat.  A five gallon petrol can was mounted inside the rear and anchored with leather straps.  

The passenger door had no interior handle to discourage the carrying of passengers which was against regulations. Driven for its entire life with the Electricity Board by one employee, he subsequently bought the van when it was retired, and owned it for several years.  Skip forward to the third owner who is thought to have purchased the van in 2016 in a dilapidated state, having been last on the road in 1985.  

He decided the restore it, spending in excess of £2700 on parts, plus paint and labour.  Fresh from its restoration it was bought by the seller in 2018 to add to his collection of British classics.  Now needing space for a new purchase he has decided to sell the van having driven it less than 300 miles since purchase.

There is a good history file with the van, mostly from about 2016 onwards.  There are plenty of receipts for parts from the restoration plus a couple of old MoTs.  The most recent MoT expired in January 2019.  At the time of the MoT in 2018 the van had covered 47,538 miles, and the odometer now reads 47,808 so it has covered just 270 miles in the past 4 years.

The inside of the van is as you would expect; spartan, workmanlike and utilitarian.  There is now a handle on the inside of the passenger door!  The black vinyl seats are clean with few marks, as is the carpet which was replaced during the resto.  The driver’s seat has a small split long the piping on the door side where it meets the backrest. 

There are plenty of interior parts that were replaced during the restoration including window seals and runners, door seals, pedal rubbers, and dash card. The dash is as it should be, with some additional gauges for oil pressure, amps and water temperature, although they are not currently connected.

The other controls, steering wheel, gear stick and handbrake all appear to be the originals, showing some wear but no bits broken or missing.  There is a roof lining over the front seats that is also likely to be original, with some discolouration. In the rear there are some plywood panels that make up the floor area, and we would suggest that the inside of the van is original paint, with plenty of marks from its working life. 

There are five steel wheels with the van, four have hubcaps and three of which are fitted with tyres.  These wheels are likely to be the originals which are thought to have been refurbished during the resto although they appear a little tired now with surface corrosion.

Overall the interior is tidy and useable, with room for improvement.

The exterior of the Mini van is orange –very orange! The LEB’s fleet were a common site around the Capital, and easy to spot on the roadside. The mini vans, along with larger Sherpas were bought by the dozen and treated poorly, subjected to hard work in all weathers.  Most had a working life of just a few years before being scrapped or sold, so it is rare to find a survivor.

During the 2016-18 restoration the van received a new right side sill, front wing and windscreen corner panel. New rear door hinges and a repair panel for the rear door sill were also added.  There are bills for all these parts plus plenty more in the history file.  The orange paint has been well applied to the outside although there are a few areas that will require attention in the fullness of time.  These are confined to the base of the front wing seams on both sides, and along the edge of the rear deck, below the doors.

The roof and bonnet finish is good, and the front grill is equally smart having been replaced during the resto.  The glass is all clear and uncracked, the side windows being the correct sliding type with catches.  There are new bumpers front and rear, new headlights and surrounds, indicators and front wing mirrors.

The wheels are 10 inch Mini Light brand, (that look like Minilites), with matching Mabor General tyres that show light wear.  The wheels have the odd scuff to the rim but are in OK condition overall.

The 849cc engine and gearbox are thought to be original to the van.  During the restoration the engine had new mounts, and all the ancillaries were either replaced or rebuilt including the SU carburettor.  A new fuel tank was fitted, together with sender, new fuel lines and pump.  The brakes were rebuilt with new brake lines throughout. 

New shock absorbers, track rod ends and gaiters, plus starter motor, alternator, coil, points and leads were all added. 

Running nicely when we visited the van appears to be in good health, starting easily with no rattles or unhealthy noises. 

 

As we finished taking the photographs a Honda Jazz parked next to the Mini, and it’s only upon comparison with what is nowadays a small city car that you realise how compact the Mini is.  The Jazz towered over it like a 4x4!

Both the Morris and Austin versions of the Mini van are becoming extremely sought after, and finding one, even in an unrestored state, is becoming tricky.  

The Utility company versions are the rarest as most disappeared years ago.  It would be great to see this example restored with its 70’s LEB branding and it’s likely that it would be the only one remaining with so much originality.