1962 Morris Mini

‘8212 DD’ is an utterly charming 1962 Morris Mini Minor that’s been in the seller’s care for the past 38 years. Apparently it was in daily use for a while but given it’s still showing just 5,000 miles on the odometer, we suspect that didn’t last long!

Since then, it’s been garaged and pampered – and was even MoT’d until 2018, at which time his local garage persuaded him not to bother anymore.

But all good things must end, and he’s come to realise that the family Mini would be better off in the hands of someone who’s going to use it as it deserves to be.

With stunning coachwork and an untouched interior, this is a vanishingly rare opportunity to buy a wonderfully original classic Morris Mini Minor.  
 

The Vehicle History Check (attached) shows a change of colour from grey to blue in 1985, which was just two years before the seller bought it. He says this isn’t correct as it’s always been this colour, a shade he thinks was called either Smoke Blue or Eggshell Blue.

Either way, it’s probably fair to say the coachwork hasn’t had to deal with much in the way of road grime, stones being thrown up, or any of the other hazards the rest of us face every day given the odometer reading, which the seller says is also genuine.

It's lasted very, very well and is almost spotless bar the odd – and we do mean odd – chip and mark.

Overall though it is excellent, with very good shutlines and the contented air of a car that’s been cherished for the past 60+ years. We understand it had a pair of front wings perhaps 30 years ago, but otherwise still wears its factory panels with pride.  

The badges are all good too, the chromework sparkles, and the majority of the light lenses are bright, clear, and free from damage.

As for the diminutive 10-inch steel wheels, a combination of dedicated curation, careful driving, and cushioning 80-profile sidewalls have left them free of damage.

The full-size chrome hubcaps are very good too, and the 145R10 tyres are matching India GTs. They were made in 2013 though, and given the wheels would benefit from being refurbished, it would be easier perhaps to get fresh rubber fitted at the same time.

While the paintwork is very good, some rust has started to break out around the nearside sill, as well as the offside front wing near the headlamp. There are a few spots on the radiator grille, too.

The rubber door and window seals have also perished and warped, so care is needed when opening and closing them.

However, isn’t it lovely to see a simple piano hinge used as the pivot for the rear windows alongside the sliding front glass mechanism? Highly effective and yet lighter and cheaper than the elaborate devices other manufacturers were fitting at the time, it is engineering at its finest.

Finally, the offside taillight lens has cracked, and there is a deep scratch just below the nearside taillight. 
 

We understand the interior is the original and has never been restored or refreshed.

As you’d expect given the car’s age, the material covering the seat cushions has loosened a bit over the years, as has the material on the backrests of both front seats. A seam on the passenger’s seat has let go too, although there’s no damage or significant to any of the seat covers other than a small crack/split on the very edge of the driver’s seat.

The carpets are in an excellent condition, with even the rubber heel protectors being free of damage and wear. There’s a good depth of soundproofing under the carpet too, which is nice to see.

The two door cards are also free of damage, although the nearside one does have a brown stain on its leading edge.

The large Smiths speedometer takes price of place in the centre of the Mini’s dash, and it has a matching cream switch panel underneath.

While the Mini’s interior might be a masterclass in minimalism – just take a look at the simplicity of the door pulls, for example – it still offers the rear seat passengers an ashtray apiece in addition to ample legroom.

They were very different days, weren’t they?

The boot is well painted and plays host to a full-size spare wheel.

As for flaws, we’d hesitate to call a bit of wear to the floor-mounted starter button and steering wheel defects. The interior mirror glass has de-silvered too, but then we’re a bunch of romantics who don’t mind seeing evidence of a life well lived.

But, you might like to treat the headlining to a professional clean though, and the heater box has some rust on it, which might spoil the ambience for some.

Oh, and the bottom of the passenger door has a dent and some marks on it; please see photo 63/86 for details. 
 

The engine starts well, idles solidly, and revs very nicely indeed. We understand a new clutch was fitted 25 years ago and it hasn’t needed much else since.

The paint in the engine bay is immaculate, and our aging eyes couldn’t spot anything that would qualify as a blemish on the metalwork. The engine is a little more patinated, but that only takes the form of worn paint and surface rust on the block.

However, the latter highlights what seems to be a weeping valve cover gasket, so you can add that to your (short) list of jobs to do.

The Mini failed an MoT in 2014 for rust around the front and rear subframe mounts. We understand this was sorted, but there is still a little more work to do. While you’re dealing with that, you might also like to tidy up some of the patches on the sills and wheelarches.

The underside would also benefit from a session with a wire brush followed by rust-killer and underseal. 
 

We are told a box file exists that’s full of papers detailing every job the seller has carried out on his beloved Mini. It also contains the original Morris leather car. The trouble is, he can’t find it.

He will keep trying though, and if it ever does turn up, he’ll get it to the winning bidder. In the meantime, the history file comprises a couple of expired MoT certificates, the V5 registration document, and both a Haynes and a factory workshop manual.

The Mini doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 
 

Cars like this, low-mileage, original, and with a verified history, are rare.

Very rare, so when they do come up, they tend to attract an awful lot of attention, which means this Mini Minor probably isn’t going to be cheap.

Yes, there’s a bit of work to do underneath but everything else is charmingly original and it’s an absolute hoot to drive.

It’s a real attention grabber too, and we can see that every journey would be a delight – as long as you don’t mind chatting to strangers every time you pull into a petrol station to fill it up!

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.