The Mini is the icon car that started the small car revolution. There was and is something about driving a Mini, a cheeky quality which today’s breed of ‘superminis’ have found impossible to replicatre. It was an individual car created by an individualist Issigonis. Now it’s something of a cult car and it popularity is soaring.
The British Motor Corporation, created by the merger of Austin and Morris, wanted to create a new small car. It had to be a proper car with four seats.
Issigonis focussed his mind his goal was to the smallest possible car that would still accommodate four adults and luggage. His idea was for a box measuring approximately 10′ x 4′ x 4′ of which 80% would be for passengers and luggage, leaving only two feet accommodate the powertrain. Realsing from the outset that to fit everything into the space he would need to use very small 10″ wheels and all-independent suspension. But the real ingenuity was the concept of using a transverse engine to drive the front wheels via a gearbox built into the sump. It was a revolutionary concept but sheer genius.
The first year’s production (the eight months from May to December 1959) amounted to less than 20,000 cars. Things soon grew to about 200,000 cars per year right through to 1977. Performance enthusiasts became interested in the car in 1961 with the announcement of the twin-carburettor Mini Cooper, followed two years later by the even more potent Mini-Cooper ‘S’. This was the car that put British rallying firmly on the world stage, thanks to Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon’s victory in the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally.
By 1980, the Estate and the staple long-nose Clubman two-door version had disappeared to leave just two variants; the basic City and the plush Mayfair. Both of these were powered by a 40bhp 1.0-litre engine
The Mini finally ceased production in 2000.
In a word “Fun”
Arguably, an affordable classic – .Some say that Minis are noisy (though later ones were better soundproofed), crude, cramped BUT huge fun to drive. They’re still cheap to run and easy to DIY
Minis perky performance; the standard 1.3l would take you from 0 to 60 in a 1.3 takes just over 11 seconds on the way to a top speed of some 92mph, our mini with is upgrades delivers quite a bit more poke.
Our classic Mini Mayfair has been subject to a tasteful customisation and refurbishmemt. The primary upgrades are the engine and gearbox as this now has a 1330cc Morespeed Stage 3 engine and short shift gearbox deliver a BHP of 85-90.
Internally the car has had discrete improvements with wood effect dash, wooden steering wheel and stainless steel door fittings. Now an appreciating classic this car goes well, sounds great and brings a smile to the face of driver, passengers and on-lookers
Engine details
The replacement 1330cc engine (correct on V5) has done approximately 20,000 miles. For those more technically interested please see the following
Bored out +60 pistons
Morespeed phase 3 Cam
Duplex timimg chain
Updated water and oil pumps
Single hiff44 Carb with different needle and K&N filter
Morespeed stage 3 – recently skimmed
Maniflow 3-2-1 exhaust manifold
Recent new 7 spoke fan and radiato
We have reference to this engine being fitted in November 2011 and the gearbox Genuine KAD quickshift
This has now been completely reconditioned both short block and head
Service history
There is a significant file of parts and servicing that dates backs to 1993. This includes old MOTs dating back to 2007. This file needs to be viewed to be appreciated but below are some of the highlights. Clearly the car was subject to modernisation and discrete customisation from 1999 to 2012, with the majority of work in 2011
It would seem that all the previous owners of this little mini have all contributed to its current status with repairs, servicing to modifications and cosmetics
Starter Motor (1997)
New Subframe (1997)
O/s Sill, door step (1998)
Exhaust manifold stainless steel link pipe and box side exit (2000)
Clutch slave cylinder and new clutch assembly (2000)
Thermostat and front shock (2004)
Heater 2-speed (2008)
Water pump (2008)
New Radiator and & 7 spoke fan (2017)
Smiths temperture gauge (2011)
Cosmetics and styling
13″ classic woodrim steering wheel
Wood effect dash
Stainless steel wheel arches
Bonnet stripes- white
Union Jack roof decal
Torpedo wing mirrors
Chrome rocker cover
Arch extensions
De-lux black carpet set
Wipac Halogen driving lights and Cooper lamp brackets
Chrome twin washer
Union Jack – enamel badge
Chrome pancake filter
Alloy throttle pedal
MK2 Cooper Grille
Alloy hand brake grip
MK3 Chrome number plate housing
10″ Minilite alloys
Pod Mount rev counter
Stainless steel interior door handles and window wind
For sale Neville Trickett Mini Sprint Arden head
The bodyshell was just restored with new boot floor and various other new panels...
Both subframes are reinforced and are completely refurbished with all new components, full koni damper, minispares cones spring rubber road/rally, full front .....
Mechanical:
427 hp, 350 ci Chevy tied to tubular steel chassis and roll cage. Porsche G5050 5 speed transaxle, inverted and converted to side shift. Fiero coil over performance struts and disc brakes in the rear; Metro 8.4" 4-pot calipers in the front. Custom 13" Minilites up front, 15" 5-bolt Minilites .....
Price € 19.900,-
Specific:
The Austin Mini Moke on offer at Classic Park is a late example from 1993, built in Portugal by the Italian Caviga which had bought the production rights of MG Rover in 1990. The Portuguese Moke's had a lockable storage space at the rear (the term "boot" would be an exaggeration .....
Mini Clubman.Saloon.in Russet Brown.
Amazing 1100cc Mini Clubman saloon T reg 1979 finished in russet brown that has been restored to an as new condition with nothing spared. The owners selected this particular car as it had bountiful history, and MOT providence. All the carpets and interior are .....
Here at Carnell Classic Cars in Harrogate North Yorkshire
we always love something a bit special and Minis don't come more special than this little scamp!!.
Apart from being a ground up nut and bolt restoration it has many upgrades bestowed upon it including
fully reconditioned Mini A series .....
Austin Mini Countryman 850 1967 E reg.
Wonderful example of a very rare Mini Countryman Estate. This is a 1967 E reg Mini 850 Countryman in Almond green with full green as new Interior. There is full History of the car from the 2 meticulous owners the first from 1967 to 2006 and the second until present .....
Mini 1000 Mk2 beautiful condition.
This is a fantastic condition Classic Mini in every respect . Finished in Island blue with 1st class grey interior. First registered 15/04/1969 “G” and is named Rob as that is on the Number plate. As soon as we purchased the Mini, it was taken and used to film .....
Austin Mini saloon 1965 Mk 1
Another super condition classic Mini saloon, this time in Maroon with original mid brown interior, This Mini does not look 51 years old and other than a couple of modern improvements to benefit the drive and reliability is unmolested. We are really pleased with this acquisition .....
Here at Carnell Classic Cars in Harrogate North Yorkshire we specialize in 60s/70s Classic Cars and rare Classic Vans .
All sold with my personal recommendation after personally being involved in the classic car market in Harrogate for almost 50 yrs .
All our cars /vans are prepared to the highest .....
