1994 Rover Mini Sprite Radford

Lot details
Registration No: L235XLE
Chassis No: SAXXNYADBBD089805
Mot Expiry: May 2013

The trend for luxuriously-specified Minis was arguably started by Peter Sellers, when he persuaded HR Owen to convert his 1963 Cooper into something more opulent and exclusive. Owen commissioned Hooper to undertake the work. However, they were not interested in repeating the exercise and it fell to Harold Radford Ltd to seize the opportunity and announce a range of three off-the-shelf conversions, under the name 'Mini De Ville'. Following a period of success, the company failed to produce a car from 1967 to 1977 and was duly dissolved. However, interest in the idea continued and the Harold Radford name was revived in 1989 by car designer Chris Humberstone, who set-up shop in a showroom just off Baker Street in London. Two models were offered, the Mini De Ville and Mini De Ville S, both of which featured a variety of the kind of refinements for which the car had originally become famous, along with more contemporary options such as electric door mirrors, power steering and CD stereo systems. Many of Humberstone's products found their way to Japan, where demand for original Radford Minis far outstripped supply. Some of the later conversions were based on the Mini Sprite. Manufactured between 1992 and 1996 the model came with 1275cc engine, wheel arch extensions and (from 1993) burr walnut facia as standard. Radford's luxury conversion extended the wood veneer to the doors and included a leather re-trim.

This example is a 1994 car finished in Black with Cream leather upholstery and a Webasto sunroof. The vendor describes the Mini as being "restored to a very high standard with immaculate paintwork, very good interior and very clean engine bay". He says the leather has been reconnollised and that the service book (seven stamps) and old MOTs confirm the indicated mileage of 50,613. The Radford's current MOT is valid until May 2013.