1971 Austin Mini 1000

This particular Austin Mini 1000 was built at Longbridge in early August 1971, and was registered Ely, Cambridgeshire, two months later. Its first owner was a lady who used the car reasonably frequently until the early 1980s, but it then spent increasing periods laid-up until she gave it to her brother in 1986. He kept the car for two years, before selling it to the previous owner, who drove it regularly until the summer of 1991 when it was taken off the road.

It did not move for the next 15 years, and when found in 2006, the front subframe had been removed, the engine had been completely dismantled and there were several boxes of parts and trim. Once examined closely, it was clear that the Mini was amazingly original - it had never been welded, and there was virtually no rust in the shell. A new battery box was fitted only because the original had been corroded by acid, a tiny repair to the offside wing and replacement of the offside door skin were all that was required to make the car completely solid before it was given a complete respray with two-pack paint in its original colour of Bedouin beige. All the other parts recovered were then cleaned and refitted.

The engine, gearbox, distributor, brake pipes, front and rear subframes, radius arms, front suspension components, sills, floors, wiring loom, wings, number plates, all external brightwork, seats, door cards, dials, handles, door seals - even the underseal - are original. Nothing was replaced unless absolutely necessary, thus retaining the patina of the car. The car has its correct and original single HS2 carburettor, the (original) distributor rebuilt and standard needle profiled on a rolling road by AC Dodd to improve the drivability, the original head was converted to run on unleaded petrol.

SER 603K comes with 11 months MOT, plenty of history including BMH dating letter (showing engine is original), letter from the original owners, MOTs, original manual in its BL paper bag, tax discs, invoices etc. Cars of this vintage, in this condition, and this original are now incredibly rare, the only concession to modern driving has been the fitment of halogen headlights.