Lot details Registration No: 8662 FN Chassis No: AA2S7S423222M Mot Expiry: Sept 2012
As a result of the Suez crisis, Britain found itself back on petrol rationing by 1956. BMC's Leonard Lord recognised the urgent need for a small car with ground-breaking economy. Within a year, the now famous team of Issigonis, Daniels and Kingham had designed and built a prototype of ADO 15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), and what's now known as the Mini was launched just two years later. Subsequently voted the second most influential car of the 20th century, the Mini was a revolution on wheels. By placing the engine across the frame and the gearbox in the engine sump, Issigonis was able to devote 80 percent of the floorpan area to the accommodation of passengers and luggage. The car's original rubber cone suspension system was also a first, helping to endow the car with its famous go kart-like handling.
The right-hand drive Austin Mini being sold departed the Longbridge production line in 1963. The current keeper has owned it for the last 16 years, during the last 10 of which it has undergone an extensive body and mechanical restoration, and the replacement of the original 848cc engine with a 1275cc one. '8662 FN' has fresh Green bodywork teamed with a brand new Green leatherette interior - the latter alone is said to have cost circa £3,000. The vendor not surprisingly regards the bodywork, paintwork, trim and four-speed manual transmission as "excellent" and the very low mileage engine as "a perfect runner". The car was originally intended for his then teenage daughter but, sadly, the restoration took too long and the venerable Mini is no longer suitable for her needs - hence the opportunity for somebody looking for a newly refurbished classic Q car. By the time of the sale it will have acquired its chrome wheel arch/sill trims and a new MOT.
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