1965 Morris Mini Traveller De Luxe

• 850cc, Mk1 'Woodie' that has been carefully restored
• Its first owner was Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
• De Luxe model. Heater, over-riders, chrome sill edging, filler cap and wheel trims
• Finished in Tartan Red with a smartly trimmed red interior
• Interesting history file with resto documents and photographs and Royal correspondence

The popularity of the Mini spawned a variety of models targeting different markets, but all are based on Sir Alec Issigonis iconic design. The Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Countryman were two-door estate cars with double, barn-style rear doors built on a slightly longer chassis of 84 inches compared to 80.25 for the saloon. From the start of production, both models had a decorative, non-structural, Ash wood trim on the rear body, in the style of a pre-war shooting-brake giving the car a similar appearance to the larger Morris Minor Traveller and inevitably led to them becoming known as 'Woodies'. It's a popular misconception that the difference between the Traveller and the Countryman is the wood trim as all-steel versions of both the Morris Traveller and the Austin Countryman without the wood trim were launched for export markets in April 1961.

Offered here from The Anthony Hamilton Collection, himself a real Mini enthusiast, is a very special Mini Traveller. The original buff logbook, which remains with the car, shows the first owner as Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. The comprehensive history file contains an amusing letter (11th April 1991) from St. James Palace and the Prince of Wales' private secretary replying to the car's owner at the time, thanking them for the opportunity, but advising that the Prince would not be interested in acquiring his uncles old Mini Traveller. We understand that the little Traveller was restored in the Nineties and the history file contains numerous receipts and a photographic record of this restoration.

Finished in Tartan Red with a smartly trimmed red interior, the restoration still holds up very well today and the Mini remains 'Collector's Quality'. In 1965, Travellers were only available in 'De-Luxe' trim level, which included a heater, over-riders, chrome sill edging, filler cap and wheel trims, all of which feature here.

These little estates remain as practical as they are cute and this delightful example, fresh from an important collection and with Royal provenance, will be deservedly popular.