1963 Austin Mini

1963 AUSTIN MINI COOPER


Chassis number: C-A2S7/ 460181
Registration: ATL 494A
Exterior colour: Red / Black
Interior colour: Tartan Red / Gold Brocade Grey
Mileage: 339 miles (Since restoration)


KEY FACTS

● A comprehensively restored Mk1 Austin Mini Cooper, which has been upgraded to Cooper S specification.
● Power comes from a rebuilt 1, 275cc Cooper S engine and a four-speed manual transmission.
● Purchased as a partly disassembled project six years ago, without a registration number or V5C document; a previous owner was able to confirm that the car left the factory as a genuine right-hand drive Austin Mini Cooper, and was originally based in London.
● By liaising with the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, its subsequent owner was able to ascertain the authenticity of the Mini and procure a heritage certificate confirming this.
● The certificate shows that the vehicle was completed on 10 September 1963 before being dispatched to Car Mart Ltd in London. Unable to have the DVLA re-register the car on its original plate, the owner nonetheless secured the correct 1963-style registration of ‘ATL 494A’. The car is therefore recorded as being first registered in the UK in 2018, despite the fact that the heritage certificate confirms otherwise.
● The DVLA record also suggests it may have spent time overseas at some point, though if correct this may have been to the likes of Ireland or the Channel Islands.
● After purchasing the vehicle as a project, its previous owner committed to a full nut-and-bolt restoration.
● The majority of the restoration work was completed by Mr Clinton Poley, who reportedly has 40 years of experience rebuilding Minis.
● The restoration and upgrade to Cooper S specification took a total of nine months and cost some £42, 000, with all receipts and restoration images accompanying the car.
● The odometer shows 339 miles, which is understood to be the distance covered since the restoration.
EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES
● The car’s British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate states that it was originally finished in Almond Green and Old English White, over a Porcelain Grey and Dove Grey interior. Factory equipment included a fresh air heater.
● Around £9, 000 was spent on refurbishing the body and giving it a full repaint in red with a contrasting black roof. The respray was completed by OSC Chessington.
● It rides on 10-inch Minilite wheels, shod with Yokohama A-008 Advan HF Type D tyres.
● The interior has been reupholstered by Newton Commercial in the correct style Tartan Red and Gold Brocade Grey trim.
● A fire extinguisher has been installed.
● Accompanying the car will be its British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, a letter from the Mini Cooper Register regarding its vehicle dating inspection, the V5C, and a collection of maintenance and restoration invoices.

CONDITION

● Please refer to the photo gallery to assess the exterior and interior condition.
● The seller is not aware of any mechanical or electrical faults.

SERVICE HISTORY

● The carburettors have been tuned during the seller’s three-year ownership.
● The first service on the rebuilt Cooper S motor was conducted in September 2019, when the engine oil was changed.
SUMMARY

Compact, stylish and fun to drive, Minis from this period are well loved for being agile and responsive with simple mechanicals and no-frills interiors. This comprehensively resorted and upgraded example will undoubtedly deliver many miles of driving pleasure in the hands of its next owner, whether they are a general enthusiast or a dedicated Mini aficionado.