・Low owner Austin Mini Countryman 

・Rare Automatic model

・Some restoration required

While the Issigonis-designed Mini was a deserved hit from the outset and was an object lesson in squeezing a quart into a pint pot there were those who felt they needed just a little bit more room in their Mini. The British Motor Corporation was happy to oblige and just seven months after the start of production of the regular Mini the Austin Countryman and Morris Traveller versions were announced.

These used a slightly longer (by just under four-inches) wheelbase and with the additional luggage space afforded by the estate configuration the Mini estates were just under 10-inches longer than the normal Mini. Both the Austin and Morris versions were available with the non-structural ash wooden trim to give the impression of the styling of a shooting brake. Just over 200,000 Mini estates of this type were built – approximately 108,000 Austin Countryman models and around 99,000 Morris Travellers.

The car we have here is an Austin Mini Countryman with the rather rare automatic transmission. It wasn’t registered until May 1970 which must make this one of the last models to be registered as production ended in October 1969. It has a low indicated mileage of 49,110 and the seller believes this to be genuine, but without supporting history it’s impossible to be certain. It does require some cosmetic refurbishment but once completed this will be a rare, desirable and surprisingly practical little classic.

This Austin Mini was first registered to a Miss Palmer in May 1970 and was owned by her until 1995 when it is believed to have been sold to her nephew who kept the car until 2021. However, while it was in his possession it would appear to have been used very sparingly going on recorded mileages on the MoT certificates and it has been stored since its last MoT expired which was in 2008. 

The current owner purchased the Mini this year and his original intention was to restore the Mini back to its former glory. He has carried out a certain amount of mechanical work but has come to the conclusion that he has too many projects on the go already and he would like it to be sold to an enthusiast who has the time to devote to the Mini.

Coming with the Austin Mini are eight MoT certificates dating from 1998 to 2006 when it would appear the Austin covered just 615 miles. There are also a few service and repair invoices dating from this time which detail various services, electrical and brake repairs.

The Mini comes with full 12 month MOT with no advisories even though it is exempt from testing.

Overall the cockpit of this Austin Mini is in good condition and no doubt with a little bit of TLC it would look even better. The black vinyl seats are in good order with no rips or tears although there is some discolouration to the passenger side front headrest. The rear seats are also in fine fettle and there are four seat belts fitted to the vehicle.

The black carpets fit well and appear to be in good condition – whether the carpets and the seats are the original items is unknown, but they present well with minimal wear. The ‘shelf’ that runs across the dashboard is in good condition as is the central dash pod containing the speedometer, temperature and oil pressure gauges. The latter two gauges do have some discolouration and tarnishing around their outside edges. The rest of the switchgear appears to be present and correct and there is a period LW/MW radio and speaker fitted to the passenger side of the dash.

The Mini would appear to have its original headlining and it’s in decent enough condition for a 50-year-old car. There is some discolouration here and there and the sun visors have some staining to them. The door trim panels match the interior and are in good order and the front windows have the correct fixings for their sliding mechanisms. The steering wheel appears to be original and has a covering over its rim. 

The boot is generally clean with a black carpet. Below that is what appears to be the original wooden boot floor panel and under that is the spare wheel. Once the wheel is removed the excellent condition of the painted metal boot floor can be seen.

In general the Mini’s exterior appears to be in good, solid condition. However, there is some surface corrosion in places, most notably to the rain guttering around the roof panel which is thought to have been caused by condensation forming under the cover with which the Mini was covered when it was stored.

There are some other imperfections to the bodywork as can be seen in the accompanying pictures but overall the Mini does appear to be in a very solid condition. The underside looks to be in similar condition and the owner has provided three overall pictures of the underside taken when the car was on a ramp which show a clean and original underside.

The ash wood frame is showing signs of deterioration in places but this isn’t a structural part of the car and replacement wood kits are readily available should localised repairs not be possible. Generally speaking the Mini’s chrome is in good order with some patination which demonstrates these would appear to be the car’s original trims.

The Countryman is fitted with a set of 4.5Jx 10-inch Minilite wheels which suit the car well and these are fitted with a set of Kenda tyres which have plenty of tread remaining.

When the current owner purchased the Mini it was a non-runner, but now it’s been given fresh fluids and items such as plugs and points. It runs very well indeed, holding a steady idle and indicating decent oil pressure according to the gauge on the dashboard. The owner reports that the automatic gearbox works as it should.

No doubt some further detailing and cleaning under the bonnet would be beneficial to the Mini and would tidy up its engine bay a treat.

As one of the very last Austin Mini Countryman models this car presents as a very unusual and usable classic. Despite a few cosmetic issues it looks to be a very solid proposition and could be used as it is as a charming little city runabout. Alternatively it could provide an excellent basis for a rolling restoration or could be taken off the road and brought back to an as new condition.

Either way it’s a very rare and desirable model and with its low mileage and low owners it would be a great addition to any car collection. 

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