1978 Austin Mini Clubman Wood and Pickett Automatic

The founders of Wood & Pickett, Bill Wood and Les Pickett learned the Coachbuilding trade at London's foremost Coachbuilder of the 40s & 50s, Hooper & Company, but in 1947 they decided to leave and start their own business, and it's reputed that, in the early days, the business was run from Bill Wood's front room.

Over the next few years, Wood & Pickett's business began to grow and they eventually acquired premises in Abbey Road, Park Royal, deep in the heart of what was, at that time, London's coachbuilding industry. The company made what could be called "steady progress" until in the 1960s they decided to specialise in highly luxurious Mini conversions. The company became "Wood & Pickett Ltd." and did excellent business building their own versions of these Super Luxury Minis, made fashionable by the likes of Peter Sellers, George Best, Twiggy and Princess Margaret. These early conversions were done by Hoopers or Harold Radford, but soon W&P themselves were competing for this highly lucrative market.

Offered here, is a one owner from new, Wood and Pickett Mini, chassis no.XL2W2524450A, that has covered only 29,068 miles and been garaged all of its life. It has a most comprehensive history file which covers the unique story of this very rare Mini which, it's thought, is the only conversion of the estate version carried out by Wood and Pickett. Finished in Rolls Royce Metallic Caribbean Blue with a blue leather and velour interior, it's an incredible original example. It has the signature "Margrave' Elite dashboard in padded Navy Blue hide with Black suede, and Navy blue leather door cards and thick blue carpets complete the luxurious feel. The headlining and sun visors are in Grey cloth.

The full specification includes:

Lockable wheel nuts with 5"x10" tech Del Mini-lite wheels, Electric front windows, Electrically adjustable door mirrors, leather trimmed Wood & Pickett 14" steering wheel in Dark Blue, a dipping rear view mirror with direction indicator turning lights, twin automatic reversing lights mounted under the rear bumper, direction indicator lights in the front wings, twin headlights, air horns with a changeover switch, Navy Blue leather rear compartment roll-over cover, deluxe interior soundproofing and an FM Radio cassette. In addition, there is a high output alternator installed. Chrome Front Bumpers with the WP logo, bonnet lock, extra Private Locks in the front doors and a Stainless Steel finish to the top of both doors.

This is a rare opportunity to own an important part of the Mini story with a complete history. This Mini was bought on the 17th August 1978 from Cleveland Garages, the Austin garage in Jersey and despatched to Wood & Pickett in the UK for immediate conversion. It then came back to the island and was first registered on the 13th December 1978 and has remained with its original owner ever since. The history file contains all the correspondence between the owner and Mr. Wood detailing the required specification even down to the upholstery colour swatch. All books and service records are present as is a set of spare keys. All taxes are paid and there is a NOVA application number.