*** SOLD *** The original Mini  is considered an icon of 1960s British popular culture. Its space-saving transverse engine and front-wheel drive layout allowing 80% of the area of the car's floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage influenced a generation of car makers In 1999, the Mini was voted the second-most influential car of the 20th century, behind the Ford Model T, and ahead of the Citroën DS (also in stock) and Volkswagen Beetle The front-wheel-drive, transverse-engine layout of the Mini was copied for other "supermini" designs.

This distinctive two-door car was designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis. It was manufactured at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in England, and many other locations around the world – with ours being a Longbridge production.

The performance versions, the Mini Cooper and Cooper "S", were successful as both race and rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965, and 1967. In 1966, the first-placed Mini (along with nine other cars) was disqualified after the finish, under a controversial decision that the car's headlights were against the rules. 

On its introduction in August 1959, the Mini was marketed under the Austin and Morris names, as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor. The Austin Seven was renamed Austin Mini in January 1962 and Mini became a marque in its own right in 1969  In 1980, it once again became the Austin Mini, and in 1988, just "Mini" (although the "Rover" badge was applied on some models exported to Japan).  This is where our special Mini was exported to under that Rover name.

BMW acquired the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) in 1994, and sold the greater part of it in 2000, but retained the rights to build cars using the MINI name.

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The Mini was offered in a number of limited editions that usually included a special combination of trim and badging, but some also included mechanical upgrades.

 

Inspired by the 1969 film,The Italian Job Special Edition was introduced in October 1992 and was designed to look like a Mini Cooper, but produced 50bhp and was based on the Mini Mayfair.

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There were 1,000 RHD models produced in the UK over four colour variants.  This would approximately make this car 1 of 250.  An Additional 750 LHD were produced for the Italian market.  The 'Poster Boy' for the Rover Mini campaign was the White Version, which we present today.

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We acquired this spritely little car at a car auction in October 2018, after being disappointed by a very rough Mary Quant which we thought better of.

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The car was very well presented and has the original manual, stamped-up service book, Italian Job brochure and a folder full of service history.

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An added bonus is a copy of Mini Magazine from September 1996 which a features on page 71 our Mini as winning 2nd place in the Coombe Abbey Masterclass (Original) Car Category.

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We have done some preparation work on this car, with probably a little to go before delivery.

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