Lot number	31
Hammer value	N/S (est. £3,950 - £4,250)
Description	Mini Balmoral
Registration	R918 UOH
Year	1998
Colour	Balmoral Green
Engine size	1,275 cc
Chassis No.	SAXXNWAZEWD157311
Engine No.	12A2LK70366448

BL’s original plan had been to replace the ageing Mini with the clever new Metro. Successful though the new car was, the original Mini not only managed a stay of execution, but even outlived its replacement.

Much of this was due to clever marketing by RSP (Rover Special Projects). Initially the relaunch of the Cooper saved the day, but a whole raft of special models were introduced one after the other which kept interest in the car alive.

One such model was the Mini Balmoral, launched in 1995 and fitted with the multi-point fuel-injected engine. Special extras included attractive ‘pepperpot’ alloy wheels, a walnut dash with chrome bezels, Cooper pedals and a Burberry style interior; it even had an airbag and side impact bars. Rarely seen in the UK and not even mentioned in Wikipedia's otherwise comprehensive list of Mini special editions, it was really aimed at the export market, hence the Royal pretensions of its name.

This 1998 example shows just 45,000 miles on the odometer, with just 5,000 of those miles having been added since 2006. Fitted with an original radio and with two sets of keys, it looks particularly well presented in attractive Balmoral Green metallic. Recently fitted with a new windscreen seal and MOTd until February 2016, this rare and smart special edition Mini can be driven away today.