1988 Austin Mini Designer

Highlights

Lovely example of an iconic Mini special edition
Repainted and restored to a good standard
Genuine low mileage
Original service book and good history file

The Appeal

The original Mini underwent something of a renaissance in the 1980s and 1990s, as it evolved from budget car to fashion accessory.

On the back of the little car’s resurgence came a new range of special editions, each one developed with a theme in mind.

The Designer was one of the most distinctive of the lot – offered only in black or white with distinctive stripey seat facings, it was endorsed by fashionista Mary Quant, and bore her distinctive daisy logo on both the steering wheel centre and bonnet badge. In total, just 2,000 were made for worldwide sales and less than sixty are still on the road in the UK, making it a very rare car indeed.

This one is a lovely example, previously repainted and partially restored, and presented in great overall condition, complete with an impressive history file including its original sales brochure and service book.

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History and Paperwork

UK V5C
MOT March 2025
Original Designer sales brochure
Original Austin-Rover service book stamped to 18,700 miles
Multiple old MOTs dating back to 1992
Two sets of keys
Folder of additional old invoices and parts including some relating to body repairs
Genuine low-mileage car

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The Condition

Lovely paintwork restored in original black
Minor scuff to bonnet and some minor marks on wing, but nothing of any major note
Black Minilite-style alloy wheels with good tyres
Original factory wheel trims with some scuff marks
Small scuff to nearside front wing
Appears solid underneath with evidence of past welding to a good standard
Some light surface corrosion on both front sills
Small rust bubble on driver’s side door shut/door bottom
Very slight deterioration to one door mirror stem
Original seats, trim and carpets with distinctive striped fabric
Mary Quant signature labels
Matching door cards in tidy order
Excellent door cards
Some damage to inner painted door panels
Renewed carpets with Mini Sport floor mats
Original tools, jack and spare wheel

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The Mechanics

998cc 4cyl engine
Four-speed manual transmission
According to the vendor, the car starts and runs well with no excessive smoke, rattles, problems or faults
Recent service

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BEFORE YOU BUY

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