1963 Morris Mini Traveller

This matching-numbers, low mileage Traveller was dispatched new to the Stewart & Ardern dealership in Acton on 5th July 1963.

We know from the BMIHT certificate accompanying the car that it was supplied with front overriders, but without the exterior wood trim often associated with the Traveller.

“How so?”, we hear you opine, not unreasonably.

Well, from some time in 1962 onwards, the Traveller could be specified as an all-steel option.

Unlike the Morris Minor Traveller, the wood on the Morris Mini Traveller wasn’t structural – hence the easy optionality of an un-wooded version.

This car has had very few owners from new (we think just two prior to the vendor) and we know that it was taken off the road and laid-up in 1994.

In 1998, the then owner removed the engine (it was subsequently stripped and rebuilt) and the car remained in a state of warm, dry, comfortable inactivity until 2012, when it had two new wings fitted and a dented rear corner fixed.

It stayed in that workshop having various jobs done on it (by both the owner and the man who’d carried out the repairs) until 2016, when the car was stripped down to a bare shell and professionally resprayed.

It remained in storage until it was bought by the vendor and later registered in his name in August 2024.

In the commendable pursuit of preserving as much authenticity as possible, the car has been subjected to a minimum of fresh welding and panel replacement.

The front panel/slam panel is all original, as is the glass and the interior, save for the addition of new carpets.

The car even comes with its original purchase order invoice - it cost a princely £556 in 1963 - original wiper motor, original keys, and original brochures.

This charming and very well-preserved car starts without a second invitation and goes about its business with all the balance, poise and lively urgency for which the Mini was rightly lauded.

It feels properly screwed together and mechanically sorted.

It may just be our imagination, but it feels to us as if one or more brakes might be sticking slightly.

The car was ‘Tartan Red’ when it left the factory and, as the eagle-eyed among you will have discerned, it’s still decidedly red today.

The bodywork is reassuringly straight, true and free from any dinks, dents, creases or other aberrations of consequence.

Being relatively fresh (at least in terms of how much daylight it’s seen), the paintwork has plenty of vibrancy, lustre and shine to offer.

The finish fair pops and sings in the sunshine.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are at least as crisp, even and consistent as they would have been when it left the factory.

In general, even entirely standard scratches and scuffs are in very short supply, but it’s our job to find stuff to moan about – so here goes.

In no particular order, we found: some scratches and a little scuffed paint at the base of the o/s/r corner just above the bumper; a paint chip on the offside ‘B’ pillar and another near the filler cap; a few scuffs and marks to the paint on the sills; some spots of missing paint on various moving parts, principally hinges, and the edges of the bonnet, tailgate and doors; and there are numerous small chips to be found on the windscreen.

The wheels are decent and the matching Nankang tyres look reasonable.

The brightwork is good throughout and we found no foxing, tarnishing or pitting to speak of anywhere.

The cars lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings all look fine to us.

The interior has the charm of miniaturised things about it. It’s like an estate car….only smaller.

But, diminutive proportions aside, the interior offers a really useable, practical space for passengers and cargo alike.

Being a Mini of a certain vintage, it is of course a pretty spartan, pared-back, functional place.

You’ll need to look elsewhere for cup holders, picnic tables or touch-screens.

The red upholstery is in very good order on the front seats, but there is a hole and a small tear to the rear bench seat squab.

The door cards, headlining and carpets are all fine.

The whole thing exudes originality and authenticity from every 62-year-old pore.

It really is a time-warp environment in which to while away a few nostalgic moments.

The dashboard, steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake all look fine, although some of the trim is lifting on the shelf beneath the instrument binnacle.

The carpeted cargo area is in very good order, and there’s a full-sized spare under the floor.

The simple engine bay is a delight to behold, with the green-painted engine block looking reassuringly clean, dry and well-kept.

Everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The same good news applies unreservedly to the car’s undersides, where plenty of structural integrity appears to be in evidence.

They have the look of undersides that wouldn’t recognise rain, snow, salt or mud if you showed them pictures.

The car comes with its original service book, various manuals and guides, a BMIHT certificate, a purchase invoice, a good wad of bills and invoices attesting to work carried out over the years, and photographs of the restoration work in progress.

These are rare vehicles today, and examples in this kind of exemplary condition are as rare as a gold tooth on a hen.

It comes up trumps for virtually everything on the ‘wanted’ list.

Low mileage? Tick.

Low number of owners? Tick.

Matching numbers? Tick.

Exceptional condition? Tick.

A high degree of originality and authenticity? Tick.

We really don’t expect to see a better one any time soon.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £15,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) 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’.