1970 Austin Mini 850 Van

How our motoring world changed when in 1959 the first Mini, designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, appeared in the showrooms. This neat little front wheel drive transverse engine saloon became the second most influential car of the 20th century after Ford’s Model T. The quarter ton commercial van was derived from the Countryman/Traveller versions with longer wheelbase than the standard saloon. It shared the same running gear as the 850cc model with 4 speed manual gearbox. Nowadays many have been modified so we are particularly delighted to be able to offer an unmolested minivan just as Sir Alec intended.

VHY 740H was owned by the vendor’s brother from 1992 and the following year was placed into dry barn storage, where it has remained, recently re-emerging to travel from Wiltshire to Dorset for auction. Fortunately, the vehicle appears to complete precisely because it has not been restored previously. Currently it is not running. The body seems to be a straightforward restoration, the interior retains the original seats, headlining and instrumentation, which all should be serviceable. There is evidence of K & G MOTORS lettering on the sides, presumably it was a garage runabout at some stage.

The V5C registration certificate is supplied, together with one MOT test certificate from 1992.

Auction Date: 1 March 2024