Description
Demand for genuine and largely original Minis is always strong and this fabulous late-model 850 presented in ever popular Damask Red with Black interior has already won a few hearts. Cherished for the past 7 years by a young couple in Hampshire, the little car comes with substantial bills and receipts from this recent ownership together with an Insurance Valuation of £8, 000. A rare opportunity to acquire a truly unmolested example ready to be enjoyed. Come and see for yourself.
With a production run spanning 41 years, the Mini has become an absolute icon of British popular culture. Designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis, this diminutive 2-door saloon was initially built at the Longbridge and Cowley plants but it`s huge global popularity saw cars produced under licence in places as far away as Venezuela and South Africa. An estate version and two light commercials, a van and a pick-up, soon formed part of the line-up and when it`s competition potential was recognised, huge rally success came with a string of Cooper variants. Approaching mid-way through production came the Mk. IV, introduced in 1976 and featuring a front rubber-mounted subframe and rear frame with larger bushings intended to reduce road-noise and improve refinement. At the lower end of the range, the entry level 850 model was broadened with the introduction, from 1979, of a Super Deluxe variant benefitting from the trim of the more expensive 1000 model albeit with the smaller engine. A base model City was still offered but by 1980 both were phased out with talk of an all-new model (the Metro) on the horizon. Despite such chatter, the Mini still proved to be the diminutive car with the huge following and public demand supported a further 20 years of production and indeed a further three styling incarnations.
Our Mini was registered in February 1980 in Portsmouth and is likely to have remained there all of it`s life finding a new home in nearby Waterlooville in January 2017. Evidently purchased as a light restoration project, there are considerable bills and receipts from the first 12 months of ownership. Notable highlights include the replacement of a driver`s side “A” panel and paintwork, new wiring loom, replacement headlining, replacement headlights, new carpets, new rear pocket mouldings, replacement seatbelts and boot-lid seal. Evidently on the road and enjoyed sparingly, further work was undertaken by a Mini specialist in March 2019 to include replacement of the heater matrix, new fuel sender, new hoses and choke cable. Just 6 months later, the same company replaced the rear brake shoes and the car subsequently treated to a coating of Waxoil. Most recently, the Mini has benefitted from the fitting of a new exhaust system and two new front tyres. Sold with huge reluctance to fund university fees, since acquiring the Mini we have undertaken a full health-check.
The Mini presents just as can be seen in the photographs. Bodywork would seem largely original other than “A” panels and paintwork too benefits from genuine patina suggesting that it must be predominantly from the factory. Most panels exhibit a few minor age-related paint blemishes but arguably this all adds to the charm. Chrome and trim are all generally very good. The interior is excellent with the original Black seats complemented by matching newly replaced Black carpets and a fresh headlining. Turn the key and the diminutive A-Series fires into life aided by the ubiquitous clothes-peg on the choke! On the road, the little car is a revelation with spirited performance, a typically notchy gearchange, light controls and pin-sharp steering. On a rather damp Winter`s day, I took the Mini for a quick spin along the coast road towards Abbotsbury calling in at the farm shop on the way. What fun! Despite the number of classic Minis on the road today, it is still the car that turns most heads. Everybody`s first car has that appeal and this little gem in Damask Red is an absolute hoot.
The car comes with a comprehensive file of bills and receipts from the period 2017 to date, an Insurance Valuation Certificate from 2018 in the sum of £8, 000, lots of MoT Certificates (from 2016 to 2024) including the most recent one expiring in March 2024 and a current V5C. The car is both MoT and road-tax exempt.
A largely original and really genuine example with much recent expenditure. Charming in all respects.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
