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You’re probably thinking, Austin built a massive number of Minis, so how can this one be rare? Well you see, this isn’t the standard Mini that typically was seen on American roads. This one is a Super model, which was between the base Mini and the Cooper price and feature wise. It lacked the performance parts of the Cooper, but came with more options and features than the base model. Only 175 or so of these were built for American consumption and this is believed to be the only one still in existence. For a car they built millions of that, being the only one of a trim level is rather interesting. If you’d like to have the only left hand drive Mini Super in America, you can find this low mileage barn find here on eBay in Portland, Oregon.
I always have a better appreciation of today’s car safety after seeing a Mini – especially the doors.
I like it, but I don’t think I’d pay as much as they are asking. Too much work to do in the way of minor dents, underhood rust, etc. to make it easy to “preserve”.
Well worth the $5+ K it’s at right now. These cars are easy to work on and easy to get parts for. To get a rust free Mk 1 Body like this is a miracle. You could get a 1990’s grey market one in the US or Canada easy enough for about the same, but these early models are the ones collectors want. This one has some interesting options too, like the more “powerful” heater :)
You could also get them in England as an Austin Mini, Wolsley Mini, Van Den Plas Mini, as well as the Morris, etc, etc.
Having had an 850, performance is adequate, but a few little options does not make this car worth big money. It they get it well more power to them.
TC, there was even a Riley Mini. What an insult to true Riley owners.
There is a Riley version of a Morris Minor in a yard near me………
Only one left… Sure is a big claim.
I have seen this car many, many times in person. When I was building my 1960 LHD North American Export we would use this car as an example of what an untouched Austin Mini (parked since 1972) would have for nuts, bolts and placement of specific parts that were unclear in many manuals.
Several publications have already published articles about this rare and special car. MC2 Magazine, a U.S.-based publication for new MINIs (as well as the classics), ran a piece in its Nov./Dec. 2013 issue. Another feature appeared in the Mini Cooper Register’s magazine, written by the organization’s registrar and specialist for the Super models, Garry Dickens, a true expert when it comes to Supers.