World's Oldest Unrestored Mini

I have a fondness for mini cars. I do not know how many people out there share my passion but for me it was because my dad had one and it was one of the first cars I had an opportunity to drive. Back during those days, mini was considered the poor man’s car.

It was small, compact and got the job done. It took you from point A to B period. It was also relatively easy to maintain but maintenance was not cheap due to the fact that parts were scares during those days and were imported. If I’m not mistaken a full tank was about RM30 back then and he was able to make a trip from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur on one full tank and without any problems from the car.

The mini we had did not even have an air-cond. It has a blower that just blew air at our face and at one point in time we had to install a portable fan just drilled to the dash. Subsequently we installed a cassette player but that was the only luxury it had. It was a bare basic car with no clusters. If memory serves me right, my dad had only purchased it for RM1k from a good YBhg. Dato’ friend and spend tons more on its restoration.   

This is my dad's completely restored mini. In the picture is my cousin and brother giving the thumbs up. Notice the bmw logo. Even back then my dad had the foresight that one day mini will be owned by BMW. Ha ha ha

I remember that the body was also flimsy. The metal was not sturdy unlike that of their German made counterparts. But this was why they were so easy to maneuver and cheap to drive as they were light vehicles. I remember there was one time back in the 90’s after filling petrol at Esso station Larkin, along Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Johor Bahru and whilst exiting there was this Singapore registered Mercedes W124 in front which I accidentally rear ended. That car did not suffer even a scratch but the front of the mini housing the front headlights collapsed in. So that was that, in a nutshell the mini. Don’t get me wrong, it was a wonderful car to drive but in today’s world of N.C.A.P for safety, it would have failed miserably.    

Here in Malaysia there are no exotics such as the Shelby Cobra 427, Corvette Stingray, Ford Mustang GT or Harley Davidson Knucklehead that can be seen on our streets. Hence, the original Mini and Volkswagen Beetle is as exotic as you can get without burning a hole in your wallet.

My sis, bro, cousin and me

So if you are like me, you would find this interesting, a 1959 Austin Mini Seven De Luxe came up for Bonhams auction on 30 April 2012. The vehicle is believed to be the oldest surviving unrestored Mini. According to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, this car was the eighth of its type to roll off the production line at Longbridge in Birmingham in May 1959. It was previously recorded to be owned by Gladys Hobro, West Sussex, before being sold to David Gallimore in 1986 and kept it in his garage at Chichester, clocking only 30,041 miles on the odometer.

The Mini is one of the most important and iconic cars of the 20th century and have always been collectible.

Some collectors would want to return it to new, but others would just like to get it going again and keep it in its original condition.

It is thought that only three Minis earlier than this one exist, but they have been restored. One is owned by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, 621 AOK and the other two are in private collections in Japan (converted into a cabriolet).

It was expected to fetch up to £15,000 but the hammer fell at £40,250.

In relative terms, that's a bargain for owning a piece of automotive history.

Although, it doesn't run and it's most likely not a candidate for restoration, unless you like ruining decades of authentic patina, but as an exhibit, a sort of once-rolling sculpture. 

 

This particular car, registration number XLL 27, chassis number AA2S7/108, 848cc engine no. 8AUH-908 is thought to be the fourth-oldest surviving Mini, period. 

While it's almost completely original, there have been a few items replaced, the driver's door being chief among them. The original Farina Grey paint remains and the engine, transmission, and interior are all original and intact, even the glass washer bottle.