Highlights
- Huge history file
- Like a go-kart to drive
- Limited edition 40th anniversary car
The Appeal
When Alec Issigonis penned the Mini, he could not have even dreamt of the success his new supermini would have throughout a long production life.
Even if you haven’t owned an original Austin Mini, Rover Mini, or the modern BMW Mini you will know someone who has. The Mini brand is massive reaching all corners of the world.
Even if you haven’t owned an original Austin Mini, Rover Mini, or the modern BMW Mini you will know someone who has. The Mini brand is massive reaching all corners of the world.
This is no ordinary Rover Mini, rather a special limited edition 40th Anniversary special. Only 150 of these limited editions were produced for the UK market.
With wider wheel arches, Mini 40 limited edition twin spot lamps, and some ’40’ stamped gauges on the inside it is a very rare beast indeed.
With wider wheel arches, Mini 40 limited edition twin spot lamps, and some ’40’ stamped gauges on the inside it is a very rare beast indeed.
Rarely offered for sale this Mini will be great for someone who is after a rare modern classic that may require a little bit of work.
The History and Paperwork
- This little Mini has a lot of paperwork with it, with two almost full folders filled with paperwork from 2000 until the present day
- Built towards the beginning of 2000 this Mini would be supplied to its first owner through the Beadles Rover Garage in Dartford.
- We can say this for sure as the original bill of sale is still held within the car's history folder.
- Looking at this bill of sale, it identifies the car as a Cooper Grand Prix LE, however this car is actually a John Cooper 40th Anniversary.
- Within the history file you will find a lot of invoices for work carried out over the past 22 years, lots of the early work was completed by Rover garages
- This car has only had 3 loving owners, the previous owner acquired the car in 2000 and the current owner has had the car since 2012. So, it has not been bounced between lots of owners
- Some of the most recent invoices document paintwork and some welding work.
- It has lived near the sea for the past decade and as a result, there is a bit of rust making itself known around the seams and windscreen.
- The service book is stamped from 2000-08 without fail, the book then runs out of space for anymore stamps, but you can see from the invoices that it has been serviced regularly
- Although a modern single din radio has been fitted, the original Mini cassette player has been kept for prosperity reasons even if it doesn’t work.
- The current owners have used this car on multiple occasions to compete in the London to Brighton classic car run, with many stickers to back this up
- This Mini has been loved throughout its life meaning that mechanically it is lovely to drive, and with the added bonus of being a limited edition, it is one to keep on the road into the years to come
The Interior
- Wonderful red interior
- Aluminium dashboard
- 40th anniversary dials
The interior of the original Austin Mini was always a bit of an austere affair, with really only a speedometer, seats, and a steering wheel.
By the time the Rover Mini came along the interior had been improved a lot with some lovely modern creature comforts you’d expect on a modern classic.
By the time the Rover Mini came along the interior had been improved a lot with some lovely modern creature comforts you’d expect on a modern classic.
Fitted with some deep red leather seats and an aluminium dash the interior is a lovely place to sit whether you are a passenger or the driver. These red leather seats with black piping are presented in very good condition, not only are they comfortable to sit in but they are also nice and comfortable.
You should be able to do any classic rally in these seats with no problems. To match the red leather seats, part of the dash and the door cards have also been trimmed in the same material, these too are presented well and show little signs of their age.
You should be able to do any classic rally in these seats with no problems. To match the red leather seats, part of the dash and the door cards have also been trimmed in the same material, these too are presented well and show little signs of their age.
The retro-looking dials are set into a great piece of machined aluminium, presented in great condition it is a lovely central element that ties the whole interior together.
To match the dash the gear stick and handles are all proper pieces of machined metal. All these elements just elevate the humble interior up into the realms of luxury.
To match the dash the gear stick and handles are all proper pieces of machined metal. All these elements just elevate the humble interior up into the realms of luxury.
The only area of the interior that could need some work is on the passenger side at the base of the windscreen, the rust has started to creep through there.
A very minor point also is that one of the boot cables has snapped, however, as the Minis boot lid is so light it is held up nicely with only one cable. These are really the only two areas that could do with some attention.
A very minor point also is that one of the boot cables has snapped, however, as the Minis boot lid is so light it is held up nicely with only one cable. These are really the only two areas that could do with some attention.
Looking at the carpets and headliner, two areas that can usually deteriorate badly over time, we can see that they are both presented in great condition. The black carpets have been preserved by the use of over mats, the ones currently fitted are nice and patriotic.
If you have ever owned an older Rover product you will know that the headliners can sometimes sag badly over time, luckily the headliner on this Mini is still attached and presented well after all of these years.
If you have ever owned an older Rover product you will know that the headliners can sometimes sag badly over time, luckily the headliner on this Mini is still attached and presented well after all of these years.
Overall, the interior condition of this Mini is very good, you will enjoy every second spent in this cabin.
It will hold many happy memories for you long into the future.
It will hold many happy memories for you long into the future.
The Exterior
- Iconic design
- Lovely roof rack
- Will come with a car cover
Everyone knows the shape of the Classic Mini, a shape that was somewhat adulterated with the introduction of the BMW Mini in the early noughties.
Presented in a rather fetching Brooklands Green with white John Cooper stripes it looks every part of the classic it is.
Presented in a rather fetching Brooklands Green with white John Cooper stripes it looks every part of the classic it is.
Starting with some of the positives of the exterior we can see that it has lost none of its curb appeal over the past 22 years with many people admiring the car as the photos were taken, with a few even stopping for a chat to reminisce about their time with Minis.
As it is a LE model it has some nice little extras over a normal Rover Mini, these include the two spotlights up front, the wide wheel arches, and the larger 13” alloys.
All of these are presented well and without these, it wouldn’t look as good as it does.
As it is a LE model it has some nice little extras over a normal Rover Mini, these include the two spotlights up front, the wide wheel arches, and the larger 13” alloys.
All of these are presented well and without these, it wouldn’t look as good as it does.
Should you wish to road trip your new Mini and take her on many new adventures you will be happy to hear that it comes with a cool looking roof rack. A perfect addition for any adventurer.
Unfortunately, there are a few areas on the exterior that will need some attention soon.
Although the current owner had the front end re-sprayed a few years ago the paint has started to bubble and there are a few patches of rust that will probably require some welding. You will find the rust mainly around the seams of the body and windscreen. There is also some rust under the bonnet. However, with such a large Mini fan base and bountiful online parts shop it should be relatively easy to find help or replacement parts.
Although the current owner had the front end re-sprayed a few years ago the paint has started to bubble and there are a few patches of rust that will probably require some welding. You will find the rust mainly around the seams of the body and windscreen. There is also some rust under the bonnet. However, with such a large Mini fan base and bountiful online parts shop it should be relatively easy to find help or replacement parts.
Once you get the rust patches seen to, you will have one excellent Mini that you will be even prouder to call your own.
Although looks are a huge part of the Minis appeal, any petrol head will know that the driving characteristics are the biggest selling points with it being like a big go-kart on the road.
Although looks are a huge part of the Minis appeal, any petrol head will know that the driving characteristics are the biggest selling points with it being like a big go-kart on the road.
The Mechanics
- Huge amount of paperwork to document works
- Lovely to drive
- Feels like a go-kart when out and about
Mechanically this Mini is in great condition, running as you would expect it to.
Fitted with a 1275cc four-cylinder engine it fires you down the road beautifully and when you get to a corner you can fling it in, and the thing just sticks. A wonderful driver’s car, you will always have a smile on your face when you’re out and about.
Fitted with a 1275cc four-cylinder engine it fires you down the road beautifully and when you get to a corner you can fling it in, and the thing just sticks. A wonderful driver’s car, you will always have a smile on your face when you’re out and about.
As you can see from all of the paperwork that is present with this car a lot of work has been carried out by main dealers and specialists to keep it on the road in tip-top condition.
When you get in, start it up, and go for a drive you will remember why you bought this car. It is an absolute joy to drive.
When you get in, start it up, and go for a drive you will remember why you bought this car. It is an absolute joy to drive.
Summary
The Mini is a huge icon within the automotive world, with a massive following of adoring fans you will always have something to do at the weekend.
After the little areas on the exterior have been sorted out this will be a great car to own and drive.
With it being an increasingly rare Limited Edition it is more than worth saving, you won’t regret this purchase.
With it being an increasingly rare Limited Edition it is more than worth saving, you won’t regret this purchase.
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.
