・Rare Paul Smith special edition

・Well maintained car with lots of receipts 

・Has had a full respray recently
・Solid car underneath

First shown at the 1997 Tokyo motor show and introduced in 1998, the Paul Smith Mini was a very limited edition with only 1800 built and just 300 staying in the UK. Like a Paul Smith suit they were designed to be luxurious and smart but with hidden twists, and as such were one of the highest specced Minis released, with a full leather interior with signature instruments and unique Paul Smith blue paint with special badges, and like the lining of the his suits, there are bright colours tucked away, the petrol tank, boot floor, rocker cover and inside the glovebox are bright green.

Of course it's still a Mini underneath so is fun and involving to drive.

The current owner has had the car since 2008 and had planned to keep it forever, hence the uninhibited spending on care and maintenance over the years, and it has been dry stored in his stewardship, but impending an impending house move makes this a reluctant sale.

The receipts go way back, but looking at just recent years, in 2012 the car had a new head gasket and in 2014 it had a major overhaul with the brakes fully rebuild or replaced, the rear subframe and radius arms replaced and suspension and hubs rebuilt as well as the underside being cleaned off for some small welding jobs and all undersealed. The interior was stripped out for this and give a deep clean at the time.

Moving on to 2017 the Mini was treated to a new radiator, and last year there was over £4000 spent on a full respray including renewing some of the brightwork and generally making the car look like new

There is a serious folder of receipts backing up the condition of this Mini. Many MOTs show the cars mileage to be genuine and there are plenty of bills for servicing, maintenance and more serious work undertaken.

Its clear to see this car has been well looked after all its life by owners who have appreciated the Mini as something special.

Its unusual to see a full leather interior in a Mini but the Paul Smith editions came with black hide from the factory, and thats still in excellent condition. The drivers seat base has sunk a little but that could likely be tightened easily by a trimmer as there is no damage and the padding looks full. The original leather steering wheel with airbag is present and the leather unmarked.

The carpet, door cards and dash top all are in great shape. The car has the Paul Smith signature across the cream dial of the speedo, another item unique to this edition. The radio sadly does not work.

The slightly purple hued Paul Smith blue is an eye catching and very attractive colour on the Mini, and having been painted only a few months ago is in superb condition, and the bonnet badge and wheel centres are all a special Paul Smith logo while on the boot there is a ‘60s style MINI badge not normally found on a ‘90s Mini. The chrome bumpers, door handles and light bezels are all shiny and smooth, some being new.

The tyres all have good tread and the almost black alloys are in very presentable condition.

The Mini has had continuous mechanical care with things such as starter, radiator and head gasket being changed over the last 10 years and indeed it appears that as soon as any niggle has occurred it has been taken to be rectified quickly.

The rear subframe has been replaced and all the brakes replaced or rebuilt so the car stops and goes very well.

It's hard not to love an original Mini. The first BMW Mini’s captured a lot of the magic but with each generation of new car the original looks more special. These are a classless icon, and whereas some classics can feel like old or heavy to drive these have always been electrifyingly nimble and one of the all time great drivers cars.

Values of classic Minis have continues to rise, and limited editions like this are even more desirable.

Notice to bidders