1959 Morris Mini-Minor Super De Luxe

Description

• AT AUCTION – Please Click HERE
• Heritage certificate
• Included on 1959 Register
• Six-year restoration
• Many period original features
• Good all-round condition
• A wonderful and unique piece of history
• Located in Chipping Sodbury, Glos

Iconic is a dreadfully overused word, but when applied to the Mini, it’s one that’s truly fitting. The car is the epitome of British popular culture throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Superb packaging, space for four adults with practical touches that have become design classics. And the driving experience is sheer delight.

The first Mini was released to the Press Pack in April 1959. It was launched to the public on 26 August 1959. This is one of the first Mk 1 Minis. It changed everything.

History

Morris Mini-Minor Super de Luxe

Rarely do we see the level of provenance provided by our vendor below:

• Manufactured 18th November 1959
• Dispatched to Caffyns Limited Eastbourne, 20th November 1959
• Registration GHC 874 issued to Caffyns December 1959
• Sold from the Herstmonceux offices of Caffyns to Mrs Edith Temple
• Date of first registration 6th January 1960
• Mrs Temple transferred the car to her niece Lady Elizabeth Kilner, sister of Lt Commander John Gordon-Smith, R.N, and widow of Sir Hew Ross Kilner, deceased 1953
• Car transferred to Lady Kilner’s nephew, David George Gordon-Smith, 13thDecember 1977
• Car ‘scrapped’ and sold to Jack Jones Motors, Ross-on-Wye, 2nd August 1984 with a mileage of 20,735, stated by Mr Gordon-Smith to be correct
• Purchased by present owner from Jack Jones Motors in February 1993
• 1993-1999 – restored to near-original condition

Our vendor used the term ‘scrapped’. Just to be clear. Way back when, these cars were like leaves in the forest and cheaper too. When they broke down, we all just walked away and bought another for twenty-five quid.

Thank goodness this Mini wasn’t ever ‘scrapped’.

Outside

Plenty of original features, some ageing gently. Overall, it remains a style icon in good overall condition with unique, period original features.

• Re-sprayed by the well-known specialists at Somerford Minis
• Finished in Cherry Red
• White steel wheels
• Matching tyres
• Whilst some of the brightwork is showing its age, it wears it well and overall, the brightwork is in good condition
• Offside door replaced
• New front wing
• Front floor pan and battery box replaced
• New bonnet and boot lid
• Lucas 700 head lights
• Amber indicators
• De Luxe chrome inserts on the screen rubbers
• 1959 de luxe chrome fuel filler cap. The standard Mini fuel filler caps were painted
• A Morris painted pressed grill, fitted to all Morris 59s. The Gallery shows the correct bonnet badge for a ’59 Morris.

The 1959 cars only had a key lock on driver’s door. They also had a unique raised ‘pimple’ on the lock. On the exterior boot lock, you can clearly see this ‘pimple’ has been retained.

The classic styling, red paintwork and the authenticity of all the fixture and fittings make this is a Mini that will be enjoyed by everyone.

Inside

• Correct Morris De Luxe seat covers in Black and Grey, with a wide central flute
• 1959 tubular seat frames without the later feet plates
• The front seats have been ‘re-stuffed’, our vendors words
• Period correct 1959 speedo head with wide needle
• Three bolt recirculating fan heater
• Morris De Luxe dashboard with a black parcel-shelf floor and fleck dash liner
• Grey fleck door cards
• 1959 spec coloured interior door locks
• Period correct green indicator lens on the indicator stalk
• After-market replacement Cherry Red carpet

On first blush, the inside may appear a little careworn. However, many if not all of the features that have been replaced are now literally irreplaceable. Many were unique to the first 1959 Minis and to the non-standard De-Luxe. Our advice? Tinker carefully, they are only original once.

Mechanicals

These are well known to us all. One thing is interesting and often taken for granted. When Issigonis decided to mount a four-cylinder engine with a gearbox in the sump, sideways across the front of the car, most scoffed, laughed and joked saying, that will never work. Today, there isn’t a manufacturer in the world that hasn’t copied that near perfect design.

Our vendor tells us this:

“The Mini was re-registered with a mileage of 20,735, and is believed to be correct

For a period between approximately 1999-2008 this Mini was displayed at various shows and attended Castle Combe Mini days. In 2012 the Mini was fitted with Cooper front disc brakes replacing the original drum brake assemblies which will come with the Mini, should the new owner wish to convert it back again. The cylinder head was fitted with hardened exhaust valve seats.

The current mileage is circa 23,994. In May 2023 the Mini was serviced and given new MOT Certificate”.

Some spares and the drum brake assemblies included”.

Summary

We really cannot overstate what a special Morris Mini-Minor De Luxe this is. A special register has been set up to trace, track and help preserve a special place in history for the 1959 Minis. This car obviously is included on that register and comes with the relevant Certificate.

These Minis are living, driving, useable pieces of British motoring history. Very rarely do they come on to the open market. With numbers diminishing, grab this one while they are still affordable.

Vehicle Location: Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire BS37 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Morris Mini-Minor Super De Luxe? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

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