1959 Austin Mini

Designed as project ADO15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), the Mini came about because of the fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis. Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped, but the market for German 'bubble' cars boomed. Leonard Lord, the somewhat autocratic head of BMC, reportedly detested these cars so much that he vowed to rid the streets of them and design a 'proper miniature car'.

Alec Issigonis, had been working for Alvis, but had now been recruited back to BMC in 1955. So with his skills in designing small cars, he was a natural for the task. The team that designed the Mini was remarkably small: along with Alec Issigonis, there was Jack Daniels (who had worked with him on the Morris Minor), Chris Kingham (who had been with him at Alvis), two engineering students and four draughtsmen. Together, by October 1957, they had designed and built the original prototype, which was affectionately named "The Orange Box" because of its colour.

Built on the 28th of September 1959, finished in Tartan Red with contrasting Grey Fleck/Spanish Red interior, this very early Austin Mini was delivered to Murray & Chorleton Limited of Newcastle and was issued with the registration mark RNL 68.

We are informed by the vendor that this particular car has had £4000 worth of brand new parts alone fitted. Many hundreds of hours of dedicated time have been devoted to recreating the original magical appeal that this car represented when new. The attention to detail in the rebuild of this car is truly staggering, the restoration was to original factory specification, the car was subject to a ground up restoration retaining the original body shell and body number, but with almost all the other panels being renewed with new parts. (Bonnet; wings; front panels; A - panels; inner and outer sills; boot lid; door skins, full floor replacement) all of this work was carried out on an original jig and as such the alignment of all panels is reported to be superb.

The bodywork was completely re worked to the very highest standard including the trial fitting of all the panels prior to painting. The underside of this Mini is every bit as good as on the top being fully painted and detailed throughout. The interior has been completely re trimmed to the very highest standards, with the fitting of new seats front and rear, new door cards, new dash panels front and rear, along with quarter panels and full carpet set.

We are informed that the engine has been the subject of a major mechanical rebuild around 3000 miles ago, the block had been rebored with the fitting of oversize pistons and crankshaft re ground, the engine was rebuilt with all new seals and gaskets. Likewise the gearbox was stripped at the same time and found to also be in excellent condition, the internals have been updated to the later 4 speed with all synchromesh but has retained the original 'magic wand' gear linkage.

Being a 59 car this is a highly sort after car and as such has some unique features including: no roof chip rail, front and rear sub frames secured with bolts and captive nuts, no pivoting quadrants on handbrake cables, single hole window catches, straight gear lever, brass door hinges, front inner wing shields, small square wheel trims, heater unit with 3 hole fixing, drive shafts with inner sliding mechanism, dome shape horn, no nuts on clutch throw out stop, rear seat goes into companion boxes and very importantly the correct shape front floor with bolts for movement around the factory when being constructed.

From our past experience show winning early Minis do not remain unsold for very long, so if you are looking for a stunning example with great investment prospects - then this is the one for you. Sold with 10 months MOT and taxed until August of this year this really is a turn-key completed project. So there is nothing to do other than enjoy this 'Mini Adventure' and admire the attention to detail that has been put into this beautiful restoration.

(Please note this car will not be sold with the registration number shown in the picture)