1961 Austin Seven (Mini Mk I)

Project ADO15 was conceived by Leonard Lord to rival other vehicles in the booming small car market of the mid-Fifties; the Suez crisis produced a fuel shortage that rendered larger motors less attractive to the buying public and Lord wanted BMC to offer ‘a proper miniature car’ and rid the streets of the competition. Alec Issigonis (who had been working for Alvis until 1955), Jack Daniels (another Minor designer) and Chris Kingham (from Alvis), together with two students and four draughtsmen set about designing the new Mini and in 1957, an orange prototype was unveiled. Initially, the Mini was marketed as the Morris Mini Minor or the Austin Seven (or SE7EN); in 1969, the Mini became a marque itself.

This Somerset registered early Austin Seven Mini, with its distinct registration number 205 LYB, has had one custodian for the last forty years. When originally purchased by the vendor, the Speedwell Blue Mini was the subject of a light restoration, which included the fitting of a Wolseley Hornet light blue leather interior. Sometime later, a 998cc engine was installed. During those early days, the Mini was daily transport for its owners, travelling from Chippenham to Badmington all year round and in all weathers. We are told that it never failed to complete a journey, and in the Winter snow, apparently it was the only vehicle to safely arrive at the vendor’s place of work!   Twenty-three years ago, the Mini was taken off the road and dry-stored in a barn, which has resulted in the interesting little motor car requiring restoration to return it back to its splendid former glory. The V5 registration document is supplied, together with the remains of a 1990 road tax disc and sundry papers. 

Auction Date: 2 June 2016