1988 Austin Mini Custom
Extensive Resto-Mod and subsequently featured in 'Mini World'

Registration No: E71 XNE
Chassis No: SAXXL2S1020366607
MOT: July 2025

• Provided with an exhaustive Resto-Mod programme completed in the early 2000s
• Current ownership since 1998
• Only one former keeper and a 27,000 mile example from new before restoration
• Featured in Mini World magazine upon completion
• ‘A race car with a tax disc’ as quoted in the Mini World article

PLEASE NOTE: This lot is offered with an MOT until July 2025 with no advisories.
PLEASE NOTE: This lot is not accompanied by a current V5C Registration Document. The new owner will have to apply for a replacement one by completing a V62 form and submitting it to the DVLA together with a fee of £25.

The original Mini was a revolution on wheels, offering iconic style and space for the masses. The fuel crisis beating 'people's car' that became a fashion icon, synonymous with Britain and the 'swinging '60s. The mechanical genius of the design placed the ubiquitous 'A-Series' engine transversely across the frame with the gearbox with its sump. A rubber cone suspension replaced springs, accentuating the 'go kart'-like handling and allowing for 80 percent of the floorpan to be used by passengers and their luggage.

‘E71 XNE’ was manufactured in 1988 and was supplied new to its first lady owner in Greater Manchester being first registered on the 16^th February. Covering just 27,000 miles across the ten years with the first owner, the Mini was purchased by the (late) vendor in 1998, when he was just twelve years old, as the ideal (albeit rusty) basis for his Resto-Mod project. By 2001, the bodywork had been completely transformed into the current guise featuring Mk2 Mini front end. The Mini was run for a few years with the 998cc engine before a 1275cc was provided, and in 2004 the extensive mechanical works began with a bored out 1460cc engine fitted with Cooper S block and head, both worked on by MED, and allied to a straight-cut dog box.

The suspension setup is Hi-Los fitted with harder race-spec cones; Gaz 36-point adjustable dampers; polyurethane suspension bushes; with KAD alloy bushes mounting the subframes to the body. Adjustable tie-rods and bottom arms with a shortened top arm, and a KAD anti-roll bar, providing an effective race suspension setup. The brake system was extensively uprated with KAD four-pot alloy calipers with vented, grooved and drilled discs; KAD aluminium handbrake quadrants; Aeroquip hoses; with oversized wheel cylinders at the rear. The interior upholstery is completely custom with Blue leather trim throughout, with a set of Mini HLE front seats with headrests, rear seats, and door cards with a diagonal split stitched to feature. A walnut dashboard with chrome finished dials and Clarion sound system with Kenwood speakers complete the interior along with a Black carpet set with Blue piping.

Rolling road set-up, once completed, the output was 149bhp was measured at 7,000rpm with low down torque strong too. Once finished, the late vendor had produced a rusty 998 Mini into an award winning, semi-race spec car for the road. Thereafter, further power was yearned for and ‘E71 XNE’ was provided with a nitrous upgrade kit to the make the Mini's performance terrifyingly quick. In regular attendance of shows and events throughout the vendor's custodianship, his sad untimely passing at a young age means that this Mini is now on offer to a new custodian. Offered with a history file that includes a collection of MOT certificates, service and maintenance records from the previous ownership, a copy of the Mini World magazine in which it was featured, and a current V5C document.

Rolling road set-up once completed, 149bhp was measured at 7,000rpm with strong lowdown torque. Once finished, the late vendor had transformed a rusty 998 Mini into an award winning, semi-race spec car for the road. Thereafter, further power was yearned for and ‘E71 XNE’ was provided with a nitrous upgrade kit to make the Mini’s performance terrifyingly quick. In regular attendance at shows and events throughout the vendor’s custodianship, his sad untimely passing means that this Mini is now on offer to a new custodian and is supplied with a history file.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452