Mini Austin Seven

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When the first Minis went on sale in August 1959, it is fair to say that the public were initially slightly baffled by this tiny little box with its small wheels and funny front-wheel drive.

However, as word gradually leaked out about its amazing handling prowess and huge fun factor, it quickly became a cult object that came to symbolise the freedom of the Swinging Sixties. One of the great, undisputed car designs of all time, it had a classless appeal that made it welcome everywhere and by 1966 over a million had been sold.

With go-kart handling and excellent brakes, it was a huge success in competition and literally ran rings around far larger and more expensive cars that simply could not keep up with its cheeky pace. It was to remain in production for an astonishing 41 years, still remaining recognizably the same car in 2000 as it had been at launch in 1959.

As with most classics, the early versions tend to carry the most appeal, retaining the purity of the original concept yet made at a time before the accountants had got to grips with the real costs of manufacture and the marketeers had added loads of fripperies to try and entice new customers.

The same can be held true with the Mini and now that collectors have hoovered up all the available 1959 and 1960 models, focus is turning to the 1961 cars, examples of which still retain the attractive early features such as the floor mounted starter, magic wand gearchange and rear interior lights in the side pockets, yet haven’t yet attracted the ‘telephone number’ prices.

This March 1961 registered example was purchased by the vendor as a project in 2013 from the Bristol area. The V5C shows that it has had only four previous owners, the history file containing its original buff logbook, a receipt from 2002 when it was sold for £1,250 and three old MOTs. A tax disc indicates that it was last used on the road in 2006.

Partly dismantled for inspection, it comes complete with the dynamo, distributor and radiator which have currently been removed. The correct and original bodyshell remains eminently restorable making this early Austin Seven Mini look like a straightforward and rewarding project, which is only on offer today because of an impending house move.