The Mini, the quintessential English motor car, it’s a car brand that has gathered a great deal of celebrity fame over the decades as well as a loyal and loving fan base. This iconic little car was born in a chaotic time. Following the events of the Suez Crisis in 1956 the British Government was forced to introduce petrol rationing.

Foreseeing that buyers would no longer want large, gas guzzling cars the British Motor Corporation planned to introduce a new small family car. Here the great designer Sir Alec Issigonis stepped forward and after several years of labour the world was graced with the first production model in 1959 under the two marques of Austin (Austin Seven) and Morris (Morris Mini-Minor).

The Mini was a smash hit and was propelled forward during the 60’s by a raft of famous owners such as: Peter Sellers, Sir Paul McCartney, Steve McQueen and even Enzo Ferrari! The later addition of the highly desirable sportier additions, the Cooper and Cooper S turned the Mini into not just a fun family car but also a serious competitor in motor-racing.

The Mini lived on in its original form all the way through to the 1990’s when in 1994 BMW acquired the brand from the Rover group. The final iteration of the classic Mini was produced in October 2000, it was the last of a total of 5.3 million cars manufactured and sold all across the globe.

This Mini was only recently acquired by the current owner who bought it off a colleague in the motor trade in May 2021. The car was bought to keep forever but sadly due to a lack of storage the Mini is now looking for a new owner.

The history of the car is slightly sparse with only a few of the car owners' whereabouts visible in the history. The car was originally purchased in Coventry before moving to Westminster in London around 1996. Sadly after this point the history does not cover the ownership until the last previous owner who kept the car in Andover in Hampshire.

After the cars last MOT the current owner has had new tyres on the car and has recently had the cylinder head reconditioned with new valve guides and valves.

The Mini comes with limited paperwork. There are some original stamps in the service book from the original owners of the car from 1994 to 1996. There are sadly no receipts or invoices from any work carried during the cars original ownership although there are some receipts from work done under the last previous owner.

An MOT back catalogue is provided via print out, back to 2006, with the current MOT certificate present and valid until November 2022. There are receipts and invoices included from work carried out during the current ownership including the new tyres and the receipts and invoices for the new valves and mechanical work carried out to fit and recondition the cylinder head.

The inside of this Mini is a genuinely lovely place to be. All in all it is in excellent condition showing very little signs of wear. The vinyl across and around the dashboard is in excellent condition with no fading, cracks or marks.

All the seats are finished in the unusual spec half leather with red piping to mirror the rich red carpets throughout. The condition of the seats, both front and back is also excellent with them showing very little wear and no marks or tears. All the carpet and headlining is clean and fresh.

The steering wheel and dashboard instruments all show very minimal use and all buttons and switches are functioning correctly. This really is a lovely interior in this Mini, it feels plush, comfortable and refined, which is saying something for a Mini!

The outside of the Mini is in very good condition overall. The British Racing Green matched with the white roof and decals really makes this little Cooper stand out, it’s a fabulous British combo! The paintwork itself is in good condition with only a few minor marks.

All the panels are flush and straight with only a minor ding in the rear boot panel. The brightwork on the Mini is in good condition and is really set off by the British Racing Green bodywork. The exterior plastics and rubber are also in very good condition retaining a rich black colour.

All the wheels are in very good condition with only very minor markings. Overall this little Mini really is a head turner and one that'll make you feel happy to be seen in!

Thanks to the recent work carried out under the current ownership to recondition the cylinder head and install new valves and guides the Mini performs very nicely, driving like new. The 1275 cc engine is really sprightly and pulls really well through all four gears. It really gives you that fantastic go-kart-like feeling that you get from driving these classic Minis.

The engine sounds fantastic out of that centre mounted exhaust with a lovely rasp coming into the cabin at higher revs. Lifting the bonnet of the Mini reveals the 1275 cc engine ticking over happily with no unsightly noises. The engine bay is clean and relatively tidy with the work completed on it done to a high standard.

What isn’t there to like about a classic Mini Cooper? There are few cars that ever gain the heady heights of stardom that the Mini enjoyed over those 4 decades of production. Indeed, the stardom that it continues to enjoy. 

It really is a timeless piece of automotive history that has as much a keen and loyal following now as it did back in those early days of the 1960s. The brilliant engineering mixed with the bare essential style of the Mini gives it a real character, a small scraper who never gives up. And it’s a car that has proven itself over the years to be capable of things no one thought possible for a tiny, small engined car. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to own a cracking example of these brilliant little cars. The chance for a new owner to bond with the charming character and go on many more brilliant adventures together. Just don’t go robbing any banks!