1999 Rover Mini 40th Anniversary

As a responsible, ethical online auction business, we understand the need for the utmost transparency and honesty at all times.

We rightly shy away from hyperbole and exaggeration when describing any car on our auction platform.

We’re here to tell it like it is, warts and all, so that you can make an informed judgement while in possession of all the relevant facts – good or bad.

If something’s buckled, bent, rusty, grubby or just a bit askew, we’ll be the first to let you know.

What we don’t do, for obvious reasons, is ever claim that something is perfect, or immaculate, or pristine.

Well, this is as near as we’ve ever come to declaring a car to be faultless.

Here’s why.

When the previous owner bought the car new from Chequered Flag in 1999 it had a certified delivery mileage of 8.6 miles.

On the occasion of its 2022 MoT, the mileage had shot up to 9 miles and, today, has reached the giddy heights of 11.3 miles.

This car has never been driven on an open road, has spent its entire life kept warm and dry inside, has only ever made its way from A to B on a trailer and wouldn’t recognise a raindrop or a grain of salt if you showed it pictures of them.

It is, in absolutely every respect, wholly original, unused, factory-fresh and, yes, immaculate.

There – we’ve said it.

You don’t need to take our word for its exemplary condition, by the way. It has attended countless shows, rallies and events and come away with more rosettes, ribbons and cups than a champion gymkhana pony.

In pride of place in its bulging trophy cabinet is the 2021 Beaulieu Cup, which is like Pebble Beach and the Oscars rolled into one when it comes to accolades in the rarefied world of concours Minis.

At one event the vendor ran into a chap who happened to be one of the designers of the 40th Anniversary cars. He told the vendor that his was in markedly better condition than those that rolled off the production line in 1999.
To give you an idea of the fastidious care lavished on this car, you should know that when it is trailered to and from its annual MoT test, the testers are more than happy for the vendor to perform the brake test because they don’t want to risk getting any grubby marks anywhere on the inside.

Wow.
 

Given that most of our condition reports describe things that are wrong, missing, broken, faulty or otherwise less than perfect, this really shouldn’t take very long at all.

This looks like a showroom-fresh, delivery-miles car because that’s what it is.

The bodywork is entirely beyond reproach and we’ve found no faults anywhere.

You won’t be surprised to learn that the vendor has his own paint-less dent removal business.

The alloy wheels have never met a kerb, or any grit, or anything else that might threaten their perfectly glossy complexion.

The tyres are still sporting their original rubber hairs.

The Old English White paintwork is so glossy and lustrous you’ll think it’s still wet.

All lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are original, pristine and in optimal condition.
 

The interior, you won’t be remotely surprised to discover, is every bit as impressive as its exterior counterpart.

It is just as it was when it left the factory, suspended forever in a moment in time in 1999.

The full blue leather interior - with white piping - hasn’t got within a country mile of earning a crease, let alone any kind of patina, and the whole interior looks, feels and even smells as you would expect to find in a car that’s never been driven on a public road and has just 11.3 miles on the odometer.

There are no signs of wear anywhere. Everything works as it should. Nothing is tired or dusty. All is fresh and perfectly preserved in perpetuity.

Quite simply, there is nothing to criticise anywhere, and everything - metal, leather, glass, fabric or rubber - is as good as new.

Wow (again).
 

The engine bay is so pristine you’ll just want to stare at it.  

We’d give it 5 stars on a food hygiene scale, never mind a mechanic’s report, and it might take all your will-power to resist the temptation to lick it.

The undersides of the car are cleaner than most operating theatres.

The vendor tells us that the exhaust system and gear-box casing have been machine polished – that’s the level of attention to detail we’re talking about here.

There is no road grime, no stone chips, no road rash (it doesn’t know what a road is) and no dirt.

Even though the car has never got out of first gear, the vendor has made sure that it is serviced and maintained with fresh fluids and the brakes get pumped once every month.

Er….wow.
 

The car comes with all of its original commemorative material, including the souvenir metal case (which we’ve seen changing hands online for over £2000) and replica buff manila log book.

It also comes with the cherished plate you see on it today, which obviously reflects the 40th anniversary theme and, perhaps less obviously, is a nod to the fact that this edition was based on an earlier ‘LE’ model.

No doubt the registration has some monetary value.

Aside from these bits and pieces, a V5, full sets of keys, a feature in MiniWorld magazine and a clean HPI check, this car has less history than Clint Eastwood in any of the countless films where he turns up, wearing a poncho and chewing a cheroot, at some desperate, fly-blown town inhabited by terrified peasants.

Just for once, the absence of any history is a fine thing and much to be desired.

The car has had two owners from new and covered 11.3 miles.

You really wouldn’t want it to have any history.
 

As you may have gathered, this car has definitely wowed us.

We defy anyone to find fault with it. 

It is museum quality in every respect and it’s inconceivable that there’s a better example anywhere in the world.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £45,000 - £55,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Southampton, Hampshire. To arrange an appointment to view this vehicle please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.