1968 Austin Mini Cooper Mk2

The car presented here is a 1968 Austin Mini Cooper Mk2 and, according to its accompanying BMIHT Certificate, was manufactured on 25th April 1968, finished in Snowberry White and black paintwork. By the end of May 1968, it had caught the eye of its original owner, Mrs Vanna Clutterbuck, a commercial artist and wife of Graham Clutterbuck, the renowned TV producer who helped bring the original Paddington Bear series and The Wombles to our screens. The couple lived in cosmopolitan W1 Curzon Street (later Chester Square) in Mayfair, living the type of London life you’d associate with the late-1960s and being young creatives. This Mini was used for dashing about, running errands, even a European jaunt to Rome through France, and according to Vanna, would often give Michael Bond CBE and his creation, Paddington Bear, a lift around swinging London! The stories and chat, you can only imagine. Quite a time.

Vanna and Graham kept the Mini for some 42-years, ensuring a huge amount of original paperwork (all MOT Certificates, except 1971, 1972 ,1973, its original/complete ‘Passport to Service’, Drivers Handbook, old tax discs, old V5s, parking permits, invoices etc.) remained with it, all helping to corroborate its story/history and, quite remarkably, its mileage of just 21,000. The condition of the Mini is totally commensurate with this low-mileage, having seemingly never been apart/restored - the panel gap, the interior/carpets, the floor-pan stampings, the fit and finish – are all factory-original – a real ‘time-machine’ transporting back to 1960s London and the ‘birth’ of one of our beloved and most endearing British characters, and favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth ll. The car is said to drive and run well, testimony to its regular services, having been always garaged, Ziebarted when new and further undersealed in 2000.

Classic cars of this era often benefit hugely from such a length of single-ownership, and are special because of it, often in unrepeatable condition, having been lavished with much care and love due to such a strong association. With amazing provenance, originality, verifiable mileage, and a direct link back to the heart of Swinging ‘60s London, plus having the original Paddington Bear and his creator onboard, this really is a special Mini, and manages to epitomise the creative and quirky British character all in one place.

This Mini is accompanied by an original Paddington Bear famously made by Jeremy Clarkson’s mother, Shirley Clarkson.