1959 Austin Mini - Fully Restored, Highly Correct, First Year, Classic Lhd Mini on 2040-cars
Mattituck, New York, United States
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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.
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J.D. Power: Mini, Lexus again offer most satisfying sales experience
Thu, 29 Nov 2012JD Power has released its annual Sales Satisfaction Index Study, and once again Mini and Lexus have taken top honors. Overall, buyers are more satisfied with the auto-buying sales experience than they were last year, with those surveyed reporting an average score of 664 points on a 1,000-point scale. That's up from 648 in 2011. Dealer satisfaction also increased by five points over last year as well.
All told, Lexus brought home an index score of 737, which was high enough to put it atop the luxury brands for the second year in a row. JD Power says Infiniti came in second in that category with a score of 728 and Cadillac rounded out the podium with it's rating of 725. Speaking of Infiniti, that brand saw the single largest jump in sales satisfaction of any brand on the survey, popping up 52 index points over 2011.
Among mass-market brands, Mini ranked highest with a score of 712, followed closely by Buick with 706 and GMC farther down the line with 683. You can check out the full press release below for more information.
Next Mini Clubman disguises all six doors
Wed, Jan 28 2015After revealing the new Mini hardtop in various guises, the next new model in the pipeline from the retro British marque is the Clubman. And here it is. Though still wearing some swirly camouflage, this Clubman prototype - previewed by the concept showcased last year - is clearly nearing production readiness. Since it'll have to differentiate itself from the four/five-door version of the new hardtop, the Clubman is expected to be even longer than the model it replaces. And this time, it'll have rear doors on both sides; and from these spy shots, it looks like they'll be conventional, full-size, front-hinged portals, instead of suicide doors. Around back you can also see the taillights peeking through the camo, on split rear portals instead of the one-piece, top-hinged tailgate on the standard-wheelbase model. At this stage, we wouldn't be surprised to see the new Clubman appear for the first time at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Whenever it does bow, it'll serve as the second pillar of the brand's reconfigured product lineup, following the new hardtop and preceding the upcoming next-gen Countryman crossover, Superleggera roadster and Minor city car.
EPA: Four 2014 Mini Cooper models need to drop mpg numbers
Wed, Oct 22 2014After the huge problems that Hyundai/Kia experienced with its mislabeled fuel economy labels, you'd think that any time an automaker has to adjust its mpg numbers, heralds would be shouting from the rooftops. But, after Ford admitted to three big mistakes with its numbers for the 2013 C-Max Hybrid and Mercedes-Benz had to lower the fuel economy rating for the C-Class, we understand if those heralds are a bit tired by now. The models affected include the 3-door and the 3-door S. Still, today's news is that BMW has to lower the fuel efficiency numbers for four versions of the 2014 Mini Cooper thanks to an audit conducted by the EPA and then some joint re-testing. The models affected include the 3-door with the 1.5-liter engine and the 3-door S with its 2.0-liter powerplant, with both manual and semi-automatic transmissions. As with the Benzes, the rating changes are not big ones, around one or two miles per gallon. The big exception is the manual S 3-door's highway number, which lost four mpg from 38 to 34. You can see all the numbers, new and old, in the press release below, but the EPA isn't saying what caused the problem this time. The Agency's new test procedures can't come fast enough. It should be noted that the 2015 Mini Cooper was recently delayed a bit because of the extra time it took to get the EPA numbers right. There's no confirmation that these two items are connected, but we would not be surprised to hear they were. EPA Requiring BMW to Correct Fuel Economy Labels for Four Mini Cooper Vehicles Washington - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising estimates for four 2014 BMW Mini Cooper vehicles to ensure consumers are given accurate fuel economy values. The EPA performed a fuel economy audit on the BMW Mini Cooper and obtained values that differed from those BMW submitted to EPA for certification. With EPA oversight, BMW conducted new emissions and fuel economy testing, and EPA conducted its own testing at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a result of this subsequent testing, EPA is requiring BMW to relabel four of its 2014 Mini Cooper models with lower fuel economy values. The specific changes to fuel economy stickers are listed in the table below.