• Four-owner car with full history from new

 • Comprehensively restored 2019-2020

 • Offered for sale from the collection of Johanna Konta

Minis appeal today for much the same reasons as they did when new. 

They’re small and economical but, with the 1275cc engine and the John Cooper touch, lively enough that you can really throw them around and have some fun behind the wheel. 

And, of course, even hyper-masculine Popeye types would concede that they are disarmingly cute.

That the Mini sold over 5,000,000 units between 1959 and 2000 with only minimal changes is testament to its enduring appeal. 

After weathering a bit of a rough patch in the 1970s when the Clubman and the Metro threatened to replace it, the original Mini was back in favour by the 1980s and stronger than ever when the 1990s dawned.

The Cooper was relaunched in 1990 having been discontinued in 1970.

Like the original Cooper, the new one featured the larger 1275cc A-series engine which really helped it fly. Recalling memories of Carnaby Street, Twiggy, The Italian Job and the Beatles, it quickly came to epitomise ‘Cool Britannia’.

This example has a fascinating past, having been bought new as a La Senza company car and used by a lady who was effectively its first owner until 2018. It then passed to an enthusiast who subjected it to a comprehensive restoration before it was acquired by tennis player Johanna Konta.

Konta may be well-known as an internationally successful sportswoman, but she’s less well-known as a car enthusiast. She has, however, amassed an impressive collection of youngtimer classics and has owned the Mini since 2020. 

With a family on its way, the collection now has to be downsized a little bit, so this is your chance to acquire an outstanding example of a classic Mini with some special provenance.

 • Originally registered in North-West London in September 1994

 • Purchased new by lingerie firm La Senza for an employee to use as a company car

 • When the employee left the company, she purchased it for her personal use and retained it until 2018, when it failed its MoT on several counts

 • It was then sold to the owner of The Garage, West Kensington, who restored it over 2019 and 2020, following which Johanna Konta purchased it

 • As well as its current V5, the Mini has documentation going back to when it was new, including tax discs, MoT certificates and its original owner’s manual

 • Also included are extensive invoices from the restoration

 • Largely original interior in a superb state of preservation

 • Believed to be wholly faithful to factory specification

 • Full walnut fascia

Minis from the 1990s may still survive in large numbers, but they don’t typically look as good as this one. 

Some get modified, some just age, but this one looks as if it’s discovered the elixir of eternal youth. The interior is so original, so correct and in such good condition that it almost defies belief.

We would be tempted to believe that the interior had actually been restored at some point, but some very light creasing in the leather of the seats tells us that it isn’t so – it has just been brilliantly preserved. 

Perhaps it has been refurbished to some degree but, as far as we can tell, the seats, dash, door cards and carpets are entirely original.

Of course, the 1990s Minis were rather less primitive than the original 1959 cars, so this does provide some little luxuries like a heater and demister, a dash clock and the original Rover radio-cassette player, but nothing to distract from the simple joy of driving.

The boot, of course, is quite Spartan, but still presents in extremely good condition, and the spare wheel is well-protected within its cover.

 • Repainted in its original colour scheme

 • Refurbished wheels

 • Wipac spotlights

With the 2019-2020 restoration including a full repaint in its original colours (and is there a better combination than Flame Red and Diamond White?), this Mini really does look showroom-fresh. 

We have studied the car closely and could not find anything to fault. There may be some minute paint blemishes somewhere, but you’ll probably have to look all day to find them.

It’s not just the paint that’s exceptional. The chrome is also remarkable with just some very light patina in places, so we suspect it has either been rechromed or else it is original but incredibly well-preserved. 

The wheels in particular are phenomenal, having been completely refurbished and wrapped in new tyres such that they really do look brand-new. We scarcely need to add that the plastic mudguards are absolutely first-rate. New seals, locks, door mirrors and lights were all fitted as part of the restoration.

We aren’t accustomed to being quite so concise in our descriptions, but the fact is that this car is almost impossible to criticise. 

One like this would be ideal in any collection, and it has the makings of a potential show-winner.

 • Brakes completely overhauled

 • New wiring loom and exhaust

 • Replacement rear subframe

When this car was being restored at The Garage, it was comprehensively gone over from top to bottom. 

When it was MoTed in 2018, the Mini failed owing to movement in the steering column, corroded rear suspension, faulty headlight beams and excessive exhaust emissions. 

The test also identified corrosion on the sills and some play in the front suspension ball joints.

The restoration rectified all these faults and much more besides, with a brake overhaul taking place and a new wiring loom and exhaust system installed. 

While we don’t know exactly how much work the engine has received, the external condition of it does suggest that it has been rebuilt. The whole engine and engine bay is exceptionally clean, so we are inclined to believe that the engine came apart, even if it was only to be cleaned up.

With all the work done, the Mini sailed through its MoTs in 2020 and 2021, although bidders should note that it has not been submitted for an MoT since its last one expired on 9th March.

The vendor says, “It drives unbelievably well, it’s one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. We’ve been using it with no issues.”

It goes without saying that all classic Minis are cool, but with so many of them still around, being modified or driven hard, it does seem to be the case that the market is flooded with examples which are either an acquired taste or else just need a bit of sympathetic care. 

This one is neither – it’s all sorted and ready to go, and very tastefully finished just as it left the factory, in what many people would say is the best colour scheme.

Apart from having been restored to a very high standard just four years ago, this example is also unusual for having a full history from new, and now it’s even got an extra bit of special provenance from the world of professional tennis. 

Just to be absolutely clear, if you’re looking for the very best 1990s Mini you can find, especially if it’s for a collection or you want it to show it competitively, this is the one to go for.