1989 Rover Mini Thirty Electric - Heritage Recharged - Offered Directly From Chris Rea

Most people will have a Yuletide song that resonates in their hearts for years and is symbolic of Christmas for them personally, however there is one song that for many will be a clear trigger that the festivities are about to begin. Driving Home for Christmas was penned by Chris Rea on Christmas Eve 1978 during a memorable journey in a Mini, from Abbey Road Studios in London to their, then, home in Middlesbrough with his wife Joan at the wheel, a difficult five hour journey that was accompanied by heavy snow and ‘top to toe’ tailbacks but was to result in one of the most memorable Christmas hits ever to grace the airwaves and a staple on almost everyone’s festive playlist.

With that thought in mind, BMW-MINI instigated a winter advertising campaign in 2021 based around the song and its back story, encouraging Mini owners worldwide to produce their own Driving Home for Christmas videos, a concept that the Mini community seized upon and took to their hearts, resulting in a memorable and very successful marketing program. In recognition of Chris' contribution, BMW-MINI commissioned 'Mini Sport & Recharged Heritage' to locate a suitable ‘classic’ Mini and work their magic, converting and future-proofing the sourced 1989 Mini Thirty to full electric power courtesy of Fellten in Bristol. Lest ye forget this car's unique provenance, the words to Driving Home for Christmas are emblazoned, 45rpm vinyl disc-style, across the power unit and Chris' signature engraved on a plaque to underline the significance of the Mini’s part in this very familiar song.

In terms of the donor car itself, the 1989 limited edition Mini 30 celebrated the car's 30th birthday and was based around the Mini Mayfair fitted with the 998cc engine. It was offered in Cherry Red or black and was fitted with chrome bumpers and grille, a dedicated decal set, a security-coded stereo and a set of Minilite-style alloy wheels. The black and red, half leather interior was common to both car colours. 3,000 cars were destined for the UK market, 2,000 in red and 1,000 in black. 

Offered directly from the Chris Rea Collection, this in many ways unique Mini, with a real story to tell, was unveiled and presented to Chris at the Abbey Road studios in February 2023, bringing the story full circle and underlining the profound connection between this car, its heritage and the pop culture that it celebrates.

A delightful addition to any Mini or music collectors' stable that could provide the new custodian with ‘a thousand memories’.