Full Description

SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED

An ultra-clean subtly modified Austin Morris Mini Van professionally restored.

EQUIPMENT
Two rear wide opening doors with safety glass windows and automatic check rods, sliding side windows, curved safety glass windscreen, driver and passenger door mirror, double dipping headlamps, washable headlining to cab, large door pockets, full width facia shelf, interior light, electric horn, sun visor, heater, two-speed windscreen wipers with flick-wipe, fuel gauge, warning lights to show flashers hazard lamps working, headlamp high-beam, low oil pressure and no charge, mixture control.

EXTERIOR
This professionally restored Mini Van is finished in Rover Pendelican White and has an almost flawless finish in every exterior aspect. Rebulit over a 15-month period by reputable and long established Mini specialists, Old Skool Minis of Birmingham, this example belonging to the business owner himself. The vehicle used to be taken to shows to demonstrate the workmanship of Old Skool Minis and was put on colour coordinated axle stands to reveal the level of stunning work carried out to the underside. All parts are powder coated and painted to get a perfectionist finish and the suspension and subframes are painted mid grey to match the colour scheme throughout. The body still has the correct punched steel grille front panel and the only adornment is the chrome strip used on the body seam. A stunning show piece.

INTERIOR
A very classy place to be and not like the utilitarian interior the vehicle was born with! Seats from a later spec Mini have been meticulously reupholstered in grey vinyl that is used throughout the re-trim. Thick edge-bound luxurious carpets beautifully tailored and colour matched even extend to the immaculate load bed. The standard steering wheel and original instrument cluster with warning lights all functioning correctly, tie in nicely with the overall subtle theme. Delightful.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
A 1275cc A+ engine offers a welcome power increase from the standard 39bhp that the original motor was rated at. A mildly ported and polished cylinder head and highly polished SU HIF44 carburettor on a modified cast inlet manifold combined with a Maniflow LCB exhaust manifold and Maniflow twin-box exhaust system helps the engine breath freely and sounds great! MG electronic ignition and other improvements such as a Unipart high-capacity water pump and four core radiator reveal the level of works carried out. Everything is stunningly clean and ready for bonnet-up exhibiting. The four-speed gearbox is fitted with a Verto clutch and offers smooth changes.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Smart 5×12 inch light alloy wheels factory finished in matt black with a highly polished outer rim are unmarked and shod in Yokohama A539 tyres measuring 165/60 R12, all with excellent tread. 8.4 inch discs and two-pot calipers give much better braking performance than the standard twin leading-shoe drum set up and the rear has also been fully overhauled and smartened up with satin black brake drums and grey back plates.

HISTORY FILE
This Mini Van was first registered on the 13th March 1979 and luckily managed to survive its hard working past and avoid the fate that so many commercial vehicles face, destruction! Purchased by Roy Besant, owner of Old Skool Minis in Perry Barr, Birmingham the vehicle belonged to him personally as confirmed by the registration document. With a massive stock of parts to choose from, it would have been relatively easy for him to do a concours-quality restoration and take the vehicle back to standard but his aim was to have something different, sporty and classy yet still be subtle. After a 15-month rebuild the showpiece was ready to demonstrate his skill and the services his business could offer. Unfortunately for Roy, the Mini Van was sold quickly at a show in 2011 to Mr Roger Coe who made him an offer he could not refuse! Mr Coe has cherished this iconic Mini ever since and it formed part of his classic Mini collection consisting of three commercials, two Coopers and a delivery mileage Mini Ritz. Offering the perfect mix of classic looks and subtle enhancements this commercial Mini Van really is the complete package.

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