Mini garaged for 33 years sparks bidding war at city sale
A “SLEEPING beauty” vintage Mini that spent 33 years in a dusty garage has sold for four times its estimate.
Described as “astonishing result”, the eye-catching 1275 GT model went for £39,100 in a weekend sale in Birmingham, after being expected to make £10,000.
The motor was uncovered in a locked Buckinghamshire garage, where it has been gathering dust since 1990.
A spokesperson for Classic Car Auctions said: “One can only wonder why its owner garaged it for three decades, but its discovery patently delighted the Mini enthusiasts at the sale as one more of these ground-breaking British automotive icons.”
The lot description said the motor had one owner from new, with just 11,836 miles on the clock.
While not known why the Mini was padlocked away near Aylesbury, stickers indicate the next service was due at 13,438 miles and the tax disc expired at the end of June 1990. Also hitting the high notes was musician Chris Rea’s 1950 Series I model Land Rover.
Classic Car Auctions had set a guide price of £10,000 £12,000 for the motor, which they say has been lightly used latterly and kept in dry storage.
However, the Road to Hell singer’s off-roader was a hit with bidders, achieving £17,250.
The vehicle was previously in long term ownership of 35 years, from 1986 until December 2021 before being acquired by Rea.
Believed to have been rebuilt sometime in the 1970s, the Land Rover is fitted with a Rover 2000 SC (P6) engine, which Classic Car said is “smooth running and suited to the car”.
“Everyone loves a Series I, the most sought after Land Rover.”
The sale happened at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show last weekend at the NEC.