Advertising:
1959 Austin Mini - Fully Restored, Highly Correct, First Year, Classic Lhd Mini on 2040-cars
Year:1959
Mileage:36963
Location:
Mattituck, New York, United States
|
1959 Austin Mini “The First Year Mini” fully restored, very original, excellent condition Most of us think of Healeys or Sprite when we hear the name “Austin”, but actually, one of the most important models to come from the Austin factory was the original Mini, the very first iteration of these legendary automobiles. In fact, Alec Issigonis’s tiny Mini sedan can lay claim to being one of the most significant automobile designs of the 20th Century. The simple design broke all the rules, what with its transverse-mounted, four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, transmission in the sump, a wheel at each corner, and suspension by simple rubber cones. Today’s incredibly popular modern Mini owes its heritage and success to the early Minis, which these newer cars were unabashedly designed after. The very latest ones, the Countryman and Paceman, stray from this heritage to their own detriment.) Costing only $1,340, the 1959 Mini also offered surprising interior space at only 10 feet long, and its 33-hp, 848-cc engine could manage 40 mpg when driven carefully. In one step, Issigonis had replaced every three-wheeled microcar, as well as every motorcycle and sidecar, with a real family sedan. It was a stroke of genius and led to his knighthood, as the success of the Mini significantly contributed to the UK’s economy. Minis were originally badged as Austin Se7en (not a typo) and Morris Mini Minor, but soon they were just known as Minis. These very early cars have a cache of their own, and are sought after by collectors. Their charm was in basic functionality – pull-string or lever door openers, “bucket” door pockets, sliding windows, a shelf instead of a dashboard and a single big speedometer with integrated gas gauge in the center. Their collectability derives from being an important, classic design in its purest, unadulterated form. (I am a collector of various makes, and have found that invariably the first (and often the last) of a particular design ends up being the most desirable.) This “A” series Austin Mini is registered as a 1959 and the Serial Number supports its age and configuration; it is a Mark 1 that was built for export in left hand drive (not a conversion, which would lessen its value). It is painted in Speedwell Blue, one of the only three colors available in ’59. It has a contrasting white top, which also is period correct, and this particular color combo is the opening page of the “Essential Mini Cooper”, an authoritative book among the hundreds written about this iconic car. The car has been thoroughly restored with new floors, fresh paint, rebuilt and detailed engine compartment, excellent chrome and a fresh interior. The seat covers are appropriate for the car, but not precisely the original pattern. I have other cars like this where I am reluctant to replace a perfectly fine interior because it is not exactly correct. I did it once, and regret wasting the money. In any case, Mini interiors are inexpensive to redo, so it’s really a non-issue. Mechanically, the engine and gearbox, steering and suspension are excellent, surprising for a 40 hp car. The handling is go-kart precise, and the most fun to drive. The car has very little sound insulation from new, so it sounds (and drives) more like a sports car than a passenger car. (I have a modern ‘09 Clubman JCW and it’s so noisy, the Bluetooth doesn’t work.) Although I know this is a ’59, and see most of the ’59 telltale attributes present on this car, I can’t say it is 100% as original, because I am not sufficiently knowledgeable to know every last nuance. But whatever needs to be done for total originality is minor and simple. For example, this car is shod with Mini-lite Mags, a Mini option as common in the day as Crager S/S or American Mags are on 60’s muscle cars. There is a hotter coil, a non-original filter, etc. On the other hand, the tires are brand new, the car was just tuned, all fluids changed, so she’s ready to go and drives like a sport. If you’re wondering why I’m selling; I have three Minis, and three’s a crowd. Since this was the last one I purchased, I’m the least attached to it, much as I have grown to love it. So bid confidently, and while I’m still acting rationally (or not) by selling this unique Mini. Please call Michael at 631 553 5300.
|
Mini Classic Mini for Sale
(US $6,950.00)
1982 mini 1000hl (high luxury)
1971 austin mini convertible right hand drive
1970 classic mini cooper leyland 998cc austin morris rover(US $14,000.00)
1968 bremen minimark convertible coupe, rare <50 in us, tricked out 25873 mi
1961 mini traveller 1275 s mini cooper morris mini austin countryman low miles(US $28,000.00)
Auto Services in New York
YMK Collision ★★★★★
Automobile Body Repairing & Painting
Address: 5210 W Ridge Rd, Spencerport
Phone: (585) 352-4311
Valu Auto Center (ORCHARD PARK) ★★★★★
Auto Repair & Service
Address: 3707 Southwestern Blvd, Tonawanda
Phone: (716) 662-4900
Tuftrucks and Finecars ★★★★★
New Car Dealers, Used Car Dealers, Car Rental
Address: 1436 Scottsville Rd, Mendon
Phone: (585) 254-3310
Total Auto Glass ★★★★★
Auto Repair & Service, Windshield Repair, Glass-Auto, Plate, Window, Etc
Address: 5900 N Burdick St, Manlius
Phone: (315) 371-4442
Tallman`s Tire & Auto Service ★★★★★
Auto Repair & Service, Used Car Dealers, Automobile Parts & Supplies
Address: 1905 Black River Blvd N, Westmoreland
Phone: (315) 339-8473
T & C Auto Sales ★★★★★
Auto Repair & Service, New Car Dealers
Address: 10 Chenango Bridge Rd, Port-Crane
Phone: (607) 722-6405
Auto blog
Next BMW X1 moving to smaller, lighter FWD-biased platform
Thu, 20 Feb 2014BMW's decision to make the upcoming 2-Series Active Tourer front-wheel drive has been polarizing to say the least, but like it or not, that is the direction the company will go in the near future - one rumor put the number as high as 23 front-wheel-drive models for Mini and BMW combined. The next-generation X1 won't send all its power to the front wheels, though, when it launches in early 2016. While it will use the same platform as the Active Tourer, rumors suggest all models will use all-wheel drive - at least at launch.
A "high-ranking," unnamed BMW manager confirmed to AutoWeek that the new model will switch to transversely-mounted three- and four-cylinder engines and the same six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions as the Active Tourer. The new, smaller platform will allow for more efficient packaging, and despite the smaller size, interior space will remain comparable. All the changes should make it significantly lighter too.
Don't start wailing just yet because BMW surely won't be entirely abandoning sporty models. AutoWeek claims that the Bavarians are working on a higher-output version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with power closer to 300 horsepower, about a 72-hp boost. It's also rumored to offer a sporty version of the X1 that may be called the X2.
Mini deletes center rail in Countryman, Paceman
Thu, 20 Jun 2013When Mini first introduced the Countryman, it only came as a four-seater, with a center rail between the two seats that could house things like cup holders and could be slid back and forth. Buyers could even opt for a full-length center rail that ran from just aft of the gear shifter all the way back between the rear seats, like we did in our long-term 2011 Cooper S Countryman All4, shown above.
Shortly after the Countryman's launch, Mini was able to offer the vehicle with a proper rear bench seat; the company could not offer this at launch due to NHTSA guidelines that governed the minimum vehicle width for three-person seating, but those rules were changed. And now, we've received official confirmation of something we reported last year: the Countryman is losing its center rail and four-person seating arrangement altogether. Moving forward, buyers will only be able to spec a Countryman with the bench seat, and a cup holder will be affixed to the back of the forward cabin's center console.
The larger-but-smaller Paceman will also be losing the center rail between its rear seats, but the car will remain a four-seater, instead having a console between the two rear seats that houses a cup holder, an iPod cozy and a 12-volt outlet, according to USA Today.
Next-gen Mini Hardtop spy shots show dramatic changes
Fri, Dec 10 2021We've seen the next-generation Mini Hardtop a few times, but under significant amounts of vinyl camouflage. But apparently Mini got careless, and someone snagged photos of a completely undisguised prototype, which were shared by Twitter user Greg Kable. While the front end is a pretty predictable update, the rear end and interior are major departures. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The face will be familiar to anyone who has seen a current Mini. The grille is quite large and composed of a large contrasting frame and a body color filler in the middle, with a couple small openings at the top and bottom. It does appear to be a bit smaller overall compared to the current model, and with a thinner frame. The headlights are still round as ever, but appear a bit larger, and now they feature little lines at the top and bottom that almost look like cute eyelids. Interestingly, the hood no longer has holes cut out for the headlights, and the cut lines are higher up. The profile, as far as we can tell, is still typical Mini. The only real change there is the replacement of the pull handles with flush-fitting units. At the back is where the major exterior changes take place. The lozenge-shaped taillights of the past are gone in favor of angular trapezoidal units. They feature black-lined overlays, and they blend into the black trim piece that stretches across the hatch. The lights appear to be a part of the hatch, too, and will likely swing up with the hatch when opened. The rear fenders look wider than before relative to the greenhouse, giving this new Mini a lower, wider appearance. This particular prototype has an S badge in what looks like a yellow-green color, so we believe this may actually be an SE electric model. Moving to the inside, the new Mini holds on to some classic design cues, but reimagines them with modern technology and a minimalist theme. The dash is dominated by a huge, thin circular display, which evokes past round displays and gauge clusters from classic and more modern Minis. There's no gauge cluster in front of the driver, either, so the center screen will likely feature driving information in addition to other infotainment functions. The driver does at least get a head-up display, so there will still be the ability to have speed and other info directly in front of the driver.