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. The Paul Smith was part of the exclusive ‘Designer’ range of limited editions and was the most luxurious ever made – two years after production, the Classic Mini would no longer be made.

The only UK colour available was in ‘Paul Smith Blue’ which was more purple.  Only White and Black versions were sold into the Rest of World markets, predominantly Japan.  1,800 of the limited editions were made for non-UK markets, we believe 1000 in white and 800 in black.

That’s where the history of our very special edition comes in.  It was exported to the Japanese market, so comes with air con as standard.  It’s in great condition and like most Paul Smith’s in Japanese it’s got a great automatic gearbox, which makes it perfect for every-day city driving.
 

The car comes with a host of special designer features, along with a sumptuous leather interior and ours features that famous Paul Smith Stripped Roof.