Winning bid
£10,750

1971 Austin Mini

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Gorgeous restored Mini Van
  • Tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt
  • Owned by two members of the same family from 1971 to 2022
  • Lovely overall condition with thousands spent

THE APPEAL

As automotive legends go, there are few more recognisable as the classic Mini. As versatile as it is iconic, the diminutive British vehicle was everything from a runabout to a rally car, style icon to a utility vehicle.
This one is certainly more from the utility end of the scale – a 1971 Austin-Morris Mini Van with optional side windows, unmodified and fully restored.
The van was restored in the 2000s whilst in the care of its second owner, who inherited the Mini in 1978 from a family member who bought it new 51 years ago. The vendor is the first owner outside of the original family. 
‘Iris’, as the van is known, comes with a folder of history paperwork including invoices for parts and restoration work and is presented in gorgeous overall condition – a truly lovely multipurpose classic that’s ideal for a small business, especially one operating inside London’s expanding ULEZ zone where historic vehicles such as this are exempt from daily charging. 

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

  • UK V5C
  • Tax and MOT exempt
  • ULEZ exempt
  • Only two owners prior to the vendor, both at the same address in a Cambridgeshire village
  • Extensively restored in the 2000s whilst in care of second owner
  • Some old invoices and MOTs dating back to early in the van’s life
  • Substantial pile of receipts and invoices relating to the restoration, from well-known Mini parts suppliers along with the Cambridgeshire-based garage and body shop that carried out the work
  • Old V5s showing ownership history in the same family and at the same address
  • Owners handbook and Haynes Manual

THE INTERIOR

  • Lovely retrimmed black vinyl seats
  • Classic Mini central speedometer
  • Original British Leyland two-spoke steering wheel with ‘Mini’ laurel wreath logo centre boss
  • Sliding front windows
  • Additional side windows
  • New carpets
  • Substantial load bay, fully carpeted and with flawless wheel arches
  • Soundproofed side panels and additional rear headlining
  • Lovely condition in and out

THE EXTERIOR 

  • Repainted in original Tartan Red
  • Extensively restored and documented, with new floors, sills and lower body repair sections
  • Very smart exterior trim, very minor pitting to chrome headlamp surrounds
  • 10-inch steel wheels wit original stainless steel hub caps
  • Correct profile Camac tyres all-round
  • Beautifully presented, well-restored van

THE MECHANICS 

  • British Leyland A-Series 848cc 4cyl
  • Four-speed manual with transmission in sump
  • Starts eagerly and easily
  • Lively performance for size, with huge character
  • No known mechanical issues
  • Brakes, suspension and steering all overhauled during the van’s restoration

SUMMARY

With its tiny dimensions and huge character, the Mini Van is a fabulous classic to use for advertising your business, or even using for your business if you’re stuck inside the ULEZ zone and need a small van for your work – after all, that’s what the Mini Van was built for in the first instance and the plethora of available parts and specialist expertise will make it a simple vehicle to own.
Or, how about a vehicle you can use to take to an entire calendar full of Mini events and sleep in the back of if you need to? 
Here’s a wonderful, multipurpose British classic that oozes potential I so many different ways. All you need to do is decide what to use it for.

Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
Icon

Selling your Austin?


Advertise to 4 million monthly visitors on Car & Classic

Sell by Auction

Auction Details

  • Year1971
  • MakeAustin
  • ModelMini
  • ColourRed
  • Odometer36,416 Miles
  • Engine size848cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownGillingham
  • CountyNorfolk
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

Bidding history

8 Bids from 5 bidders

Ben Jef••••
Bid
£10,750
07/08/23
mollyho••••
Bid
£10,500
07/08/23
brian-j••••
Bid
£9,500
05/08/23
mollyho••••
Bid
£9,000
05/08/23
brian-j••••
Bid
£8,500
05/08/23
mollyho••••
Bid
£8,000
02/08/23
Getitup••••
Pre-bid
£1,000
02/08/23
kevinjb••••
Pre-bid
£1,000
02/08/23

Buying with Car & Classic

animation

How bidding works

All you need to know about the bidding process on Car & Classic

animation

Five steps to buying safely

We make it safe and simple to secure your dream classic

animation

Shipping & transport

Useful information on collecting your new vehicle

animation

Secure payments

How we protect you and your money, to make Car & Classic the safest place to transact

More FAQs

Gallery