1989 Mini 30 Anniversary

What an opportunity. With just 32,850 miles from new and 2 local lady owners, this totally original, unrestored example in Black comes with extensive service history and drives as if it had just rolled out of the showroom. If originality is your thing and you seek a rare example of this 30th Anniversary model that has genuine potential to be a show-winner, then look no further.

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. During the 1980`s, an increasing number of limited editions were launched featuring different trims, badging and mechanical upgrades. To celebrate 30 years of production, the Mini 30 Anniversary model appeared in 1989, available in either Cherry Red metallic or Black. Just 3000 were built and of these only 1000 examples in Black, making it the rarer variant today. Based on a 998cc Mayfair, the 30 came with half-leather, Minilite style wheels, chrome bumpers, appropriate coachlines and Anniversary crests and a security coded radio.

Our car was supplied new through Vincents of Weymouth on 1st August 1989 to a lady living in the town. Vincents maintained the car for the next 3 years, purchasing back in the summer of 1992 with our first keeper opting for another new Mini. The company subsequently prepared the car for sale (with full 12,000 mile service, valet and Schedule C check) and retailed it from their Rover forecourt on the Dorchester Road. Another local lady soon came along and part exchanging her 1979 Mini 1000, bought the still immaculate 30 for the princely sum of £5295. Vincents continued to see the car regularly for the next 5 years undertaking all servicing and MOT inspections. From 1998 to 2008, care of the Mini became the responsibility of a local garage, Economy Motor Services in Ilchester Road. Notable highlights over this period include a new starter motor in 1999, sub frame mounts in 2000, exhaust in 2002 and alternator in 2003. By 2010, with just 30,900 recorded miles, the car was evidently being used less and less. Sadly, a familiar story though, this can lead to intermittent issues and certainly next 10 years records a number of AA callouts (Homestart) for the Mini failing to start. Poor battery life, loose terminals and poor earthing were all listed as culprits with the car now looked after by local recovery and service garage, CMS on the Granby Industrial Estate. Whilst less than 2000 miles has been covered over this period to date, the Mini has still experienced regular maintenance with CMS replacing ignition parts in 2014 and 2018, a small area of welding to the NSF arch in 2017 and new tyres, wiper blades and bulbs as required. Last Mot`d in September 2020 at 32,817 miles, the lady owner of 29 years has with great reluctance, decided to give up driving. Hence the availability of the car.

The car presents as displayed in the photographs. It is a totally original, unrestored example that has been used sparingly, always garaged when not in use. And there is nothing to hide. Yes - there are two areas of bodywork that would benefit from attention (nearside door-skin and offside A-panel) but that is it and we have decided, given the current time-warp nature of the car, to retail it with these defects so as not to take away from it`s originality. The remainder of the bodywork is superb and factory paint finish, still very good considering its age. Just a few light scratches, stone chips and a small area of lifting paint (but no rust) on the nearside front wing seem. But that really is it. The Mini sits on tidy and totally correct Minilite replica wheels with newly new branded tyres, whilst chrome bumpers and all trim are good with just light pitting evident. It still carries the original Vincents dealer plates and rear window sticker. Inside, the same story continues. Indeed, the totally original interior is quite superb with very little signs of wear to red carpets, part leather seats or trim. You could easily be lulled into thinking that you were sitting in a 3-year old example, not something 32 years old. Turn the key and the A-Series fires instantly into life, settling to a quiet idle. It even sounds factory-fresh! On the road, the car is an absolute joy feeling tight and responsive indicative of its very low mileage and constant period maintenance. My test drive along the coast road to Bridport brought back many happy memories of Mini-motoring in the 1980`s. My 1275GT is sadly long gone but this little car brings it all back.  Just lovely.

The Mini comes with extensive service history with a large file of bills and receipts, the original Dealer Pack with Service Book, Handbook, Driver`s Handbook, Consumer Guide, In Car Entertainment Guide, Security Code Card and every MOT Certificate from 2001 to the present day. The car benefits from a current MoT to September 2021 but will be sold with a fresh 12-month Certificate at point of sale. It comes with 2 sets of keys with original Dealer fobs.

A totally original unmolested example with very low mileage and supporting comprehensive history.

Viewings are welcome. Please message for appropriate arrangements to be made. Cash on collection or by pre-arranged Bank Transfer. 

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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