1960 Austin Mini Se7en MkI

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 and 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'. Issigonis, who had been working for Alvis, had been recruited back to BMC in 1955 and, with his skills in designing small cars, was a natural for the task. The team that designed the Mini was remarkably small: as well as 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.

This lovely rare early 1960 MkI Mini Seven was dispatched 21st March 1960 and is offered for sale having covered approximately just 15miles (to the MoT Station and back) since complete restoration.

Showing just 5 previous owners on the V5C It is understood that the car was taken of the road in the 1980s and was then stored to 2005 until purchased by our vendor. A thorough restoration was then undertaken which involved stripping the car down to the bare shell and where needed repairing/replacing any metal work whilst retaining as much of the original shell as possible. It was then subject to a bare metal re-spray in its original Tartan red colour finished with a white roof and refurbished 10" Steel rims in white shod with five new tyres.

Following the restoration of the shell the car was then stored again for a couple of years before the restoration could be resumed. This included a cylinder head and carburetor rebuild along with the fitment of new wiring loom, dynamo and starter motor.

The running gear features new shocks and suspension bushes as well as new brake cylinders, shoes and lines. Other items fitted include new fuel lines, windscreen.

The interior has benefited from new carpets and dashboard trim (not fitted in photos). The headlining is in good condition with no tears however a new headlining will also come with the car should the purchaser wish to replace it.

Presented with a superb history file, which includes photographs of the restoration and over £7,000 of invoices and 15 labor sheets for work undertaken on just the shell alone! There are also a small number of invoices for miscellaneous parts included in the file as well. A heritage certificate has also been applied for and should be with us in time for the sale.

Offered without reserve and fresh from restoration that this early Mk I Mini prices have continued to climb at a significant rate with early examples like "211 ETT' becoming much harder to find.

Please Note* the car is offered with a current MoT however does not have current have road tax