A Highly Sought-after 1959 Austin Seven Basic Mini, Last Owner 50 Years!

FOR SALE
A highly sought-after 1959 Austin Seven Basic Mini. last owner 50 years!

EQUIPMENT
All steel unitary construction. double-dip headlamps with foot operated dip switch. hinged rear number plate. sliding windows. one sun visor. floor mounted starter switch. central instrument dial. oil pressure warning lamp. drivers seat adjustable. wide door pockets. flashing indicator stalk. fresh air heater. front ashtray.

EXTERIOR
This pert and lively very early Mini is finished in hard wearing Farina Grey (Code GR11) and is truly stunning with a flawless glossy shine. Being the Basic model no bright inserts are found in the window rubbers and the correct body colour petrol filler cap and rear number plate lamp in black remain fitted. Considered by some as running prototypes and being a very early production model it has distinguishing features such as the non-recessed glass apertures and flat sills. These cars were 50kg lighter than the standard production car. The wavy chrome grill and correct boot script are in excellent order.

INTERIOR
Being the Basic model the seats are finished in heavy-weave grey cloth that have been meticulously recreated by hunters of Brora Ltd and look absolutely fabulous still protected by clear coverings. The cream Austin speedo is beautifully preserved and sits fully functional on the painted board dash lining. Informed buyers will note unique 59 features such as the flat switch panel. centre hinged sun visor and the rear view mirror with a long slender stem and pinch bracket to hold the glass finished in crackle black. Thick pile grey carpeting replaces the rubber mats and matching material has been professionally tailored to replace the painted door cards. The floor mounted starter button remains in situ. Simply divine.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
A water cooled. overhead-valve four-cylinder engine mounted transversely has a cubic capacity of 848cc and produces 34bhp. The engine is whisper quiet and still the factory supplied unit with matching numbers. Early production car features such as the metal oil filler cap and metal filler caps for the master cylinders are still fitted. The correct DR2 wiper motor and heater take off tap accessed from the engine bay on top of the head is fitted. The cylinder head has been converted to run on unleaded. The engine bay has been detailed for bonnet-up showing and creating a ‘wow' factor The original 4-speed gearbox works well and is operated via the correct straight gear stick as fitted only to early cars.

WHEELS. TYRES & BRAKES
Pressed steel wheels with the early ultra-rare small disc type hubcaps are shod in matching B. F Goodrich Silvertown 4. 80-10 whitewall tyres. Braking to all four wheels is hydraulically operated by a pendant pedal with two leading shoes at the front. The handbrake lever is the correct type with the chrome button.

HISTORY FILE
Confirmed by the Heritage Motor Centre as being built on the 18th November 1959 this example is one of the most iconic of all the Minis as it was built within the first three months of the public launch date of the 26th August 1959. These early built cars possess a certain uniqueness with individual build differences before full scale production. standardisation and the ‘facelift' in October 1960.

Supplied to the first owner of six years before being purchased for a Mr Ian Mucklejohn as an 18th birthday present in 1965 by his late father. Used sparingly driving from his Hall of Residence at Royal Holloway College to the English Department in Englefield Green before being hit head-on by a Ford Cortina. Mr Mucklejohn kept the newspaper extract dated the 10th February 1967 where the Cortina driver was fined £10 with a licence endorsement. The vehicle was repaired and returned but no details are provided on what repairs were undertaken at this time. KGF Classic Cars believe the shell to have been replaced at this time with one dated from August 1960. Replaced by a Hillman Imp as a 21st birthday present the Mini lay idle and unused but still owned by Mr Mucklejohn who. in 1990. decided to have the vehicle restored to ‘as new' condition with an invoice presented for the privilege of £14. 26. 90. Little use since. the decision has been made to part after 50 years ownership! Many unique 59 attributes are present and a certification from the 1959 Mini Register & Mini Magazine confirms this as a surviving 1959 Mini as part of the Mini 50th anniversary celebrations.

MOT January 2017. Tax Exempt. HPI Clear.

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Also published at eBay.co.uk

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