*** 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.

This particular Mini was built as a Cooper either in British Racing Green or a Blue colour variant.  At some point, its Tokyo owner wanted it to stand out from the crowd what produced this excellent bespoke – one-off piece.

The car has been the ‘Poster Girl’ for our business since we bought it back in October 2017.  It been displayed at many car shows and meetings where it gets everyone’s attention.  In May 2018 it was featured in our local show and by public vote, it was awarded Best in Show against stiff competition.

As the car is Japanese spec, it comes with air conditioning which UK cars sadly never had.

Please don’t be fooled by the pink paintwork and matching interior – this is no girl’s car.  We get just as much (if not more) interest by boys and young men who fall for this little car’s allure.