Beschreibung:

One of the most influential automobiles of all time, the Alec Issigonis-designed Mini debuted in 1959 to universal acclaim. True, there had been numerous front-wheel-drive designs before the Mini’s arrival, but the transverse engine layout allowed Issigonis to create a trend-setting masterpiece of automotive packaging. BMC chose to market the car as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor before Mini became a marque in its own right in 1969. In due course estate and van versions arrived, larger engines became available, more luxurious Riley and Wolseley models joined the line-up and the sporting Mini Cooper was introduced. The early Mk1 had the 848cc A-Series engine, rubber cone suspension and floor-mounted starter button, the latter two features being replaced by Hydrolastic suspension and key starting respectively in 1964. Approximately 12 months after the Mini saloon’s introduction, estate car versions appeared in the form of the Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Countryman, both of which were based on the long-wheelbase Mini van floorpan. At first they were available only with ‘woody’ embellishment, a style that had proved immensely popular on the Morris Minor Traveller, though in the Mini’s case the timber was not structural. Naked, all-steel versions appeared later. Although produced until 1982, the Mini estates were never given Hydrolastic suspension, while the single trim level available was equivalent to that of the De Luxe saloon. This left-hand drive Morris Mini Traveller has covered a little over 30,000 original miles and was voted ‘Best Unrestored Mini’ at the Larz Anderson Museum of Transport British event in 2004. It was a ‘Personal Export Delivery’ shipped new to the USA in 1963, as confirmed by the accompanying British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, which also confirms matching numbers and equipment specification. The car has had one repaint in the original black livery, showing few flaws, and is reported as retaining its original wood trim and running gear, with perfect ‘no rust’ undercarriage. The Tartan Red interior is original, bearing some marks of its many years of caring use, and has been fitted with a new after-market carpet set in red with black rubber mats. The engine is the 850cc unit with four-speed transmission, and the car comes with factory installed heater. New tires and Minilite wheels are fitted, while the original steel wheels and hubcaps are included in the sale. Described as performing flawlessly, this well preserved Mini comes complete with jack, tools and original sales literature, as well as an owner’s manual.