***Regretfully Withdrawn*** 1964 Morris Mini Traveller

***Regretfully Withdrawn***

The popularity of the Mini spawned a variety of models targeting different markets, but all are based on Sir Alec Issigonis iconic design. It is without doubt, truly deserving of its European Car of the Century title. The Morris Mini-Minor Traveller, a two door estate car with double "barn-door' style rear doors has an 840cc four cylinder engine developing 45 horse power in the extended 81in chassis. The luxury model had wood inserts to the rear half, a shared feature with the larger Morris Minor Traveller and a nod to the original 1930s American "Woodie'. In the December 1960 edition of Autosport, motoring journalist John Bolster reviews the Mini Traveller thus: "The Traveller which I took over was resplendent in white paint and varnished wood, and I had to admit that it was monstrously handsome." A near pristine copy of that edition of Autosport is included in the extensive history file together with an original AA Owner's Handbook 1964 - 1965 and incredibly, the original showroom brochure of this car.

Built in Longbridge in 1964 the car was dispatched to Ruette Bray Motors Ltd. of Guernsey, who sold it for £623.10 to local hotelier J.C. Masters. Being a conscientious chap Mr Masters joined the Jersey and Guernsey Automobile Association, and a letter from the Area Secretary of the AA welcomes Mr Masters to the organisation, although we are unsure if the doughty Mini ever gave Mr Masters cause to use their services. The car was then sold in 1969 via Kenmir Cars Ltd. to a Mr Orford its second keeper, again of Guernsey, for £230.00. An original sales invoice has been included in the history file. Returning to the British mainland and registered with the DVLA in 1976 the car received an MoT certificate that stated the mileage was a mere 25,982. The current vendor, Kevin Videan, the car's fourth owner, has worked out that the oil was changed every 3,000 miles or so. Further service records and MoTs show that the car was never stored and used sparingly, averaging 1,000 miles a year since manufacture. At the time of consignment, the car's current mileage is a warranted 54,700 miles.

The history file boasts twenty-three old MoTs, twenty-one tax discs, a raft of invoices, AA membership correspondence, original BMC handbooks and comes complete with a boxed genuine wooden steering wheel bought new in 1964. This car just keeps on giving, an envelope that held the car's BMC Handbooks being discovered underneath the driver's seat. Today the car presents in truly great order, having last year been treated to a sympathetically light restoration as a 50th birthday present, and the interior remains original. The exterior wood trimming has been re-varnished, highlighting the impeccably preserved original wood, a rare sight on contemporary Travellers of this vintage. As a point of interest, this car retains all its original doors and it has not needed new skins as they were rust free.

The car features early Mark I characteristics such as a smooth roof, exterior door hinges and dry suspension. The interior of the car is as box fresh and original as the day it left Longbridge, with just faint age-related stains to the headlining. Early features include the "magic wand' gear lever, cable pull interior door openers and, of course, the original push button floor starter.

Of the 207,000 variants of this car made from 1960 until 1969, it is said by the Traveller and Countryman Register that only 398 cars are registered with them in twenty-nine countries. Not only does this truly best of breed example offer an impeccable history file, low ownership, an original interior and superb exterior, it is a true survivor that will enhance the collection of any British motor car enthusiast.

***Regretfully Withdrawn***