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This knackered car, which has spent the past 40 years rusting away in a barn, is a 1959 Morris Mini Minor Saloon – the 15th oldest-surviving Mini in the world
The car, which was the 529th of its type ever built, comes with its original engine and has just under 47,000 miles on the clock.
British Motor Corporation (BMC) marketed the car as the ‘Austin Se7en’ and ‘Morris Mini Minor’ before ‘Mini’ became a marque name in its own right in 1969.
Two years ago, the eighth oldest-surviving Mini was sold for £40,000 at auction.
This car will be sold by Bonhams next month and experts believe it will be an extremely popular item with Mini enthusiasts looking for a restoration project.
The car will appeal to somebody who fancies a bit of a challenge
Rob Hubbard, senior specialist at the Bonhams motor car department, said: ‘It is one of the oldest surviving Mini cars and that in itself makes this one special.
‘It was put into the barn after a minor prang and has been there ever since.
‘The owner’s children finally got round to sorting out the old barn and found this.
‘It is a nice, original example, with a proper engine.
‘The car will appeal to somebody who fancies a bit of a challenge and who is looking for a good restoration project to get involved with.
‘It represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire an example of one of the 20th century’s greatest cars in its earliest and and purest form.
‘In its day, the Mini was a trendsetter and it revolutionised the motoring industry in Great Britain in the 1960s.
‘Even today, over 50 years later, people are still obsessed by the cars.’
The 1959 Morris Mini will be auctioned by Bonhams at Oxford on March 2.
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