Morris Mini Minor

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The original Mini could be purchased from either your Austin dealer as the Austin Se7en or from your local Morris agent as the Mini-Minor. Very small differences in specification differentiated the two cars, some produced at Longbridge, others leaving the Cowley plant in Oxford.

The magical Mini remained in production for more than 40 years, which should come as no surprise given the brilliance and originality of its design. The concepts introduced at its launch form the basis for most small car design today. It even outlasted its replacement, the Austin Metro, itself a ground-breaking car, but one that didn't stand the test of time quite like the original.

This 1967 Morris-built version had an interesting start in life being purchased new by actor Jack Hawkins. Famous for his leading roles in most of the classic British films of the era, he was probably best known for his performances in Zulu, The Cruel Sea, Lord Jim and Bridge over the River Kwai. A photocopy of the original buff logbook shows that he was the first owner, registering the car at his Putney address until selling it in 1971.

Little is known of the subsequent history of OGW 729E until it resurfaced as a rebuild project in 2013. Acquired by the vendor, it was soon stripped and rebuilt with new floors, wings and front panel. The engine is a standard 848cc unit which has been rebuilt with new bearings and piston rings.

Put back on the road earlier this year after its comprehensive rebuild, it sits on a set of non-standard Cooper 'S' type wheels but is otherwise to standard specification. It is MOT'd until July 2015, taxed until May next year and there are seven old MOTs and a workshop manual on file.

It has always been said that the Mini was a truly classless car and here is the perfect case in point. Hawkins must have been at the zenith of his career when he bought this one, yet he chose to drive about London in one of the cheapest cars on the market, no doubt rubbing shoulders with fellow celebrity Mini owners like Peter Sellers and Twiggy. Its provenance will certainly give the next owner something impressive to relate to passengers – provided they are of a certain age and can actually remember the Sixties…