Description
The Mini was created under BMC’s head Leonard Lord’s decision to offer the world a ‘proper miniature car’. Awarded Alec Issigonis and his team were recruited to meet the parameters set forth which included enlarging cabin room while decreasing bodyshell size. The task entailed powering solely the front wheels via a gearbox incorporated to the transverse-mounted engine, thereby omitting the need for a transmission tunnel. The wheel arches’ protrusion into the cabin was minimized via selecting 10-inch wheels placed farthest apart to be suspended by small cone-shaped rubber springs. Comfort was addressed by removing all window winders from the single skin doors and rear panels offering greater elbow room to all passengers. Storage space was significantly enlarged by door and panel mounted bins, dashboard tray with centrally placed binnacle and folding flat trunk lid with upper hinged license plate. Despite being immediately endorsed by the film and music industry of the era, the Mini’s concept served humanity for over 8 years to be voted as the most influential post war vehicle in history.
The Mini offered was produced early in 1964 in Austin’s Longbridge plant to feature the 848cc engine coupled to the ‘magic wand’ 4-speed gearbox in most beautiful Surf Blue exterior over Powder Blue interior. Specified as a Super De Luxe, it benefits from a special trim including bumpers with corner bars and overriders, stainless steel wheel arch and sill trim, black numberplate lamp, piano-hinged rear windows, higher placed seat belt mounts and 3-instrument binnacle with black-face gauges. After 42 years in the same careful hands, the Mini started to show signs of wear. A team of marque collectors and restorers decided then to conduct a superior no-expense spared 2-year long rotisserie restoration of this all matching original car to the very last detail. All parts original to the car were restored not replaced, all panels and floors were retained, all seats were restored to their original specifications, the subframes, suspension and brakes were conditioned to a near new state and all consumables replaced with strictly originals. It is now offered at a fraction of its cost with maintenance mileage since in a superior cosmetic and mechanical condition.
Specifications
Year: 1964
Make: Austin
Model: Mini
Edition: Super De Luxe 850
Designer: Alec Issigonis
Manufacturer: Austin, Longbridge, Birmingham, UK
Austin body number: A102912
Front end number: FE641721
Car number: A-A2S7SL-533514A
Engine number: 8AM/ U/ H706993, matching
Engine type: 848 cc, in-line 4 cyl, high compression, SU HS2-carburetted, 34 bhp at 5500 rpm and 61 Nm at 3450 rpm
Gearbox number: 178721, matching
Gearbox type and code: 4-speed, Baulk ring synchro, ‘magic wand’ manual, 22G68
Tools: Jack and wheel nut socket, original
Registration: Greek, passenger vehicle permit
Owners: 2
