Description
Fully dismantled and meticulously restored in 2020
Ready to drive in its Flame Red gloss colour (repainted)
The Mini, a small car with a big history. In 1959, the British car manufacturer British Motor Corporation (BMC) launched the Austin Mini, with the clear aim of offering a tiny city car with a cute design. Thanks to the Beatles and its presence in many well-known films, the car has gained iconic status over the decades.
It was Alec Issigonis, a British car designer of Greek origin working for BMC, who designed the Mini. He aimed to create an affordable, fuel-efficient car that was efficient and easy to drive in the narrow streets of British towns. This approach, combined with a cute design, created a real craze among the young. The Mini also became very popular with influential figures, to the point that all the Beatles – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – proudly showed off their Minis. In 1969, the car played the lead role in The Italian Job, in which bank robbers use a Mini as their getaway car. Mr. Bean’s car is also a lemon-green 1977 Mini, which underlines its clumsiness.
Originally, the Mini was built in a range of bodystyles, such as a saloon, estate, van and even a pickup. These bodystyles never really appealed to the public. In the 1980s, the Mini began to lose its renown due to stiff competition from other car brands. This triggered a severe financial crisis in 1986 at British Leyland - the former BMC which also owned Jaguar, Rover, Triumph and MG - in 1986. They even decided to restructure and privatise the company, hence Rover Group was there. In 1994, Rover Group sold the Mini to BMW, which, seven years later, in 2001, launched a refined version of the Mini. Today, BMW still produces the Mini (with the utmost respect for its British identity) and it is available in various trims: a Convertible, a fully electric Mini, a Hybrid Mini, a sporty version and even an estate.
As mentioned above, the aim was to build a small car that could circulate in cities, so the least amount of space had to be used, which was a real challenge in the mid-20th century. The 1950s are often regarded as a turning point in automotive technology, and the Mini contributed to this turning point: a front‑wheel-drive car with a transverse, compact engine that is well suited to city driving.
Today, the Mini is a sought-after classic car, not only by vintage-car enthusiasts. The cute and vulnerable design wins everyone’s heart.
Technical information:
Body
Length (cm): 305
Width (cm): 141
Height (cm): 135
Wheelbase (cm): 204
Weight (kg): 640
Mechanical
Engine: Transverse 848 cc inline-4 engine
Valves: 8
Carburation: 1 SU carburettor
Gearbox: 4-speed manual
Transmission: FWD
Left-hand drive
Maximum power: 34 hp (25 kW) at 5500 rpm
Maximum torque: 60 Nm at 5500 rpm
Top speed: 116 km/ h
Reference ch729B
Make Mini
Model 850 '75
Type saloon
Year of build 1975
KM 200
Displacement 848
Gearbox manual
Drive left-hand drive
Chassis number XK2S1108729B
Price € 15, 950
