Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland and for sale here on eBay is this truly unique 1968 Morris Cambridge Mini. It’s a replica of the Beatles “Penny Lane” promotional cars and it’s downright awesome up close!
Okay I know that I’m too old to say this, but this is about as cool as it gets! You probably looked at the first picture and asked yourself what is so special about a Mini that looks like it’s covered in crocodile skin. Well it’s not crocodile skin my friends, but in fact the car has been covered with 4000 pre-1968 British pennies! The one thing that I can absolutely guarantee you is that if you enter this in a car show, there is no chance that you will be parked next to another Mini the same.
The back story is as follows. In 1968 Paul McCartney commissioned at least two Minis to be clad in pre-1968 pennies as a promotion for the Beatles single “Penny Lane”. There are two known originals. One is located in Cornwall, England. The other is situated in the Rock & Roll Museum in San Francisco. This one is a faithful reproduction that was owned by a company in England, and was used for promotional purposes. It then passed into the hands of a private owner, who kept it for 26 years. While in the hands of that owner it was used as part of various charity fund-raisers, and raised £750,000 for charity. The current owner purchased it in 2002 and had it shipped to the USA. The current owner is also including a British Heritage Trust Certificate and Penny Lane memorabilia as part of the sale of this little gem.
This is what I find truly astounding: The attention to detail. Each penny has been individually epoxy-bonded to the car. Once completed the whole vehicle has been clear-coated to prevent the coins from tarnishing and turning green. Just look at how much care has gone into cutting the pennies to fit around the window frames. I would honestly hate to count the hours involved in this.
The interior certainly doesn’t disappoint. I have studied this photo and tried to find faults, but if there are any then they’re just too minor (Mini-Minor?) to be a concern. The fit and finish of the interior trim is first-rate, and the gloss on that wooden dash is absolutely flawless.
Even the finish on the wheel rims has been well considered. On a car like this, any finish that wasn’t burnished copper would just look wrong.
This is the only area where I feel a bit let down. I personally don’t think that the engine bay does justice to the rest of the car. Maybe it’s just me, but with so much attention having been lavished on the rest of the car, this is a bit disappointing. Having said that, what you see here is an 848cc engine which delivers 34 tire-frying horsepower. Now, I’ve sat down and done the math. A standard Mini 850 weighs around 1280lbs. The interior upgrades will have added weight. I managed to find a British penny, weighed it, and it works out that the pennies alone add a further 44lbs to the vehicle weight. Factor in the weight of epoxy and clear coat and it’s fairly safe to say that you won’t be scaring any muscle car owners too soon.
Sometimes in life things can get terribly serious. Sometimes we just need something to lighten our day. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have quite eclectic tastes. Maybe that’s why I find this little car to be oh-so-awesome. Am I alone in this?
Around here it would be stolen and melted down for the copper content…
Scrap value of the copper today would be $116. Subtract the cost to melt them, not much profit left.
Maybe because I don’t care about musical memorabilia? Or because I don’t find the Beatles as my ‘go to’ music? But for me? I’d prefer one without the extra copper slugs glued to it.
There is no real added value to this car other than a ‘tribute’ to a tribute.
Back in the 1970s I used to drive those all over England, Scotland, and wales but mostly in London when I lived there. They were a real hoot to drive especially on the many “roundabouts” but I never drove one with pennies glued all over it. This one looks like it’s a nice example – but for the pennies, take those off and I’d love to own it – but not at that price certainly. What in the world ever possessed someone to do that to such a nice little car?
Take it in a hot second! I have liked the Beatles since Ed Sullivan and I like the song.! Glad to be just a touch more discerning!
Not everything in this world is about cars.
i own a mini. a real hoot to drive. especially among all the ‘huge beasts’ we take for granted here in the usa. I don’t think you can have more fun on four wheels than a spirited jaunt in a classic mini.
I have loved these since my earliest years when one of my very first toy cars was a blue Mini Cooper. Only rode in one once in England and it was a blast. The fusion of fun and function is unequaled. The pennies are cool for show, but I would rather have a plain one as I know I would want to drive it regularly.
There is no rock & roll museum in San Francisco. Perhaps he means the MoPOP in Seattle. I like the pennies, better than 44 pounds of Dynamat!
Front bumper is crooked or is that all that copper distracting me? Gret cats shame its not a 1275 motor to compensate for the added bulk
No such vehicle as a Morris Cambridge Mini.
Hi madbrit. I agree with you on that. When I write an article I try to use the exact vehicle make and model as the seller writes it in their advertisement. Sometimes they can be a little bit off, but by doing that I’m ensuring that I represent the make and model of car exactly how the seller has chosen to represent it.
Quite correct. Cambridge was a four door family sedan offered by Austin also known as Morris Oxford in later years.
Aye, Cambridges were Austins – and bigger with fins.
That’s a 70s/80s grille, too. (Fall reference there)
All those pennies must make that little mini weigh a ton…
Grille is correct for a 1968. Late 67 they went to the bigger grille and tail lights.
Why would someone cover a Mini in old pennies probably to cover the rust up.
Price is crazy it was advertised for around $6k a few years back.
A virtual twin to this British penny-covered classic Mini – but a different year -was on my website ( http://www.miniguy.com ) a few years back with a $9,500 asking price. (The ’68 Mk2 penny car on eBay currently shows a Buy-it-Now price of $24,995.)
direct link:
https://www.miniguy.com/pennycar/
It was a 1963 Morris Mini Mk1 model, rather than a ’68 Mk2 like the one being discussed. (Note the “mustache grille” with “whiskers” of the Mk1 model, a smaller “mouth” than the one on the ’68 Mk2. The Mk1 taillights are small oval ones, the Mk2 taillights are larger, rectangular shaped. Both Mk1 and Mk1 models have the doors with external hinges and sliding windows.)
At that time, it was in St. Louis, Missouri. Previously, it had been located in California and sported a personalized California license plate “PENI CAR.” After it sold in St. Louis, it reportedly went to Dubai. The UK registration plate on the Mini was 443 ECR.
Please contact me offline if you would like more photos of it, or if you know of any classic Minis that might be available.
I’m curious. I just added a longer comment, but with a link and a photo added, but it’s not showing up here yet. Is there a delay for those links and photos to be reviewed by Barn Finds before they go up?
(I mentioned that a similar penny-covered Mini – but a different year – was on my website a few years back.)
Still not showing up?
Add “.com” to my username, then go to the “Consignment – For Sale by Owner” page and enter “penny” in the Text Search box. Asking price had been $9.5k.
Just don’t park it close to the getto!
I do not see what the let down is in the engine compartment but I’m not you and I don’t know what your expectations were. I absolutely love this little guy and all the time, care, and craftsmanship put in to it. Well done!
While I love the “paint over the engine dirt” look, I really appreciate the copper brake line running from the master cylinder.