THE LISTING

About this vehicle

Approx. 9,080 miles from new | Original paintwork | Exceptional documented survivor | Featured in Classic Car Weekly

An exceptionally original and remarkably low-mileage 1990 Rover Mini City 1000 Automatic, which has covered only approximately 9,080 miles from new.

This is not a restored Mini. Its appeal lies in just how extraordinarily well it has survived.

Finished in its original solid powder blue, the car retains its original paintwork throughout and is remarkably free from corrosion. The bodywork and the usual Mini problem areas are exceptionally well preserved, while the interior remains in superb original condition and shows remarkably little evidence of its age.

The originality extends to details which are very seldom still found. The car retains its original supplying-dealer number plates and rear-window sticker, and even the factory aerial aperture remains unused, with its original blanking grommet still fitted.

It is powered by the 998cc A-series engine coupled to the four-speed automatic transmission.

Approximately 9,050 miles from new

The exceptionally low mileage is supported by an unusually comprehensive history file containing numerous previous MOT certificates, invoices and other documentation.

Accompanying the car is a document wallet containing the handbook and associated literature, together with original correspondence from the supplying garage to the original purchaser concerning the car and its warranty.

Remarkably, this period correspondence still survives in its original Unipart envelope.

The original supplying-dealer number plates and rear-window sticker also remain on the car, adding further to what is an unusually complete record of its early life.

Together with the condition of the Mini itself, this documentation provides a fascinating record of a car which appears to have escaped the hard use, modification, restoration and corrosion experienced by so many Minis of this era.

Independently inspected and featured by Classic Car Weekly

This actual car was inspected and featured in the 2 May 2018 edition of Classic Car Weekly, when its recorded mileage was just 8,900 miles.

The magazine's assessment was exceptionally complimentary.

During its inspection, Classic Car Weekly reported finding “absolutely no signs of rot”. The article described the boot floor as looking new and was similarly enthusiastic about the condition of the sills and body panels.

The paintwork, interior, engine bay and mechanical condition also received an extremely favourable assessment, with the car ultimately being described as one of the finest Minis on the open market.

The original copy of the 2 May 2018 issue of Classic Car Weekly containing the feature accompanies the car and provides a particularly valuable independent record of both its mileage and exceptional condition at that time.

Remarkably, the Mini has covered only around 150 miles since that published inspection eight years ago.

An unusual chapter in its history

Following the Classic Car Weekly feature and the car being offered for sale in 2018, it was purchased by two young Mini enthusiasts before they had reached their 17th birthdays.

Rather than buying it to use immediately as an everyday first car, they acquired the Mini as an opportunity, with parental supervision, to learn about basic mechanics, vehicle preparation and the care of a classic car.

The Mini was never actually driven by them.

Instead, considerable attention was devoted to ensuring that an already exceptional car remained in first-class condition.

During their ownership, approximately £2,500 was spent with Croydon Minis, with the invoices for this work remaining in the history file.

The present owner subsequently purchased the car from them in 2019, after they had completed the work they wished to undertake.

This unusual period in the Mini's history helps explain both its continued preservation and the remarkably small increase in mileage since its 2018 magazine inspection.

Carefully preserved

Since 2019 the Mini has continued to be preserved rather than used as an everyday car.

It has been carefully detailed and polished and, in the present owner's opinion, presents even better today than it did when inspected by Classic Car Weekly in 2018.

Importantly, this has been achieved without sacrificing the originality which makes the car so unusual.

It remains an extraordinarily well-preserved example rather than a car which has been restored to recreate its original appearance.

A genuine survivor

There are many beautifully restored Minis available. Finding one which has apparently survived in this condition while covering only around 9,050 miles in 36 years is altogether more difficult.

It is the accumulation of details which makes this particular Mini so compelling:

• Approximately 9,050 miles from new
• Original paintwork throughout
• Exceptional corrosion-free condition
• Superb original interior
• Original supplying-dealer number plates
• Original supplying-dealer rear-window sticker
• Original aerial-aperture blanking grommet
• Handbook and associated literature in a Mini document wallet
• Numerous previous MOT certificates, invoices and supporting documentation
• Original supplying-dealer correspondence
• Period correspondence retained in its original Unipart envelope
• Approximately £2,500 of invoices from Croydon Minis
• Independently inspected and featured in Classic Car Weekly, 2 May 2018, at 8,900 miles
• Extremely favourable independent assessment of its condition at that time
• Only approximately 150 miles covered since that 2018 inspection
• Original copy of the Classic Car Weekly feature included with the car

This is not simply a very clean old Mini. It is a remarkably preserved and extensively documented 9,000-mile original survivor, retaining details which have disappeared from the overwhelming majority of Minis of this age.

Its condition, originality, exceptionally low mileage and unusually comprehensive provenance make it a very difficult car to replicate.

Viewing and inspection are strongly encouraged, as the car really needs to be seen to appreciate just how well it has survived.

It is now being offered in the hope that its next owner will appreciate what has survived here and continue to preserve it accordingly.

£13,995

Serious enquiries are very welcome. If you are seriously interested in purchasing this splendid classic please feel free to telephone me on 07989 317523 for a good old fashioned chat. I would much prefer this to dealing with anonymous messages. Best regards, Ian

Vehicle specification

• Make: Austin
• Model: Mini
• Year: 1990
• Mileage: 9080
• Engine: 998
• Transmission: Automatic
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Body Style: Saloon
• Colour: Blue

Important information

This vehicle is advertised by an independent eBay seller. The information shown has been taken from the seller's listing. Please review the original eBay advert for the complete description, condition, history, photographs and terms of sale before purchasing.