Description

1966 Morris Mini 850 Super Deluxe

One family owned for 52 years; 72,800 miles; repainted in 2009; solid as a rock and wonderfully original

Supplied new by Colmore Depot of Birmingham in September 1966, this Morris Mini Super Deluxe was bought by June Bowen of Brierley Hill when it was two years old and she was to keep it for the next 50 years before ownership transferred to one of her relatives. A purchase invoice shows that June paid £360 for the car and 36 old MOTs from 1969 – 2017 chart the gradual accumulation of mileage to today’s total of 72,800 miles.
A good file of invoices attest to upkeep over the years including a new unleaded cylinder head in 1996, new front wings in 2009 when car was also repainted, new floor panels and rear valance in 2016. The current owner inherited the car in 2017 and has treated it to a new heater matrix, new clutch master and slave cylinders and all new ignition parts (plugs, leads, points, condenser, coil, rotor arm, distributor cap).
As you can see in the photos, the car is in wonderfully original condition throughout (right down to the number plates) and although the interior is fairly scruffy, it would be a crime to replace it! A good clean, a few localised repairs and perhaps some new seat foams would soon get it looking good again without losing all that precious patina.
Driven some 50 miles to the sale, it started promptly and ran beautifully as we moved it around for these photos. Cars like this don’t come along very often so the lucky new owner had better look after it carefully or they will have June to answer to!
MODEL HISTORY
When the first Minis went on sale in August 1959, it is fair to say that the public were initially slightly baffled by this tiny little box with its small wheels and funny front-wheel drive.
However, as word gradually spread about its amazing handling prowess and huge fun factor, it quickly became a cult object that came to symbolise the freedom of the Swinging Sixties. One of the most influential car designs of all time, it had a classless appeal that made it welcome everywhere and by 1966 over a million had been sold.
With go-kart handling and excellent brakes, it was a huge success in competition and literally ran rings around far larger and more expensive cars that simply could not keep up with its cheeky pace. It was to remain in production for an astonishing 41 years, still remaining recognizably the same car in 2000 as it had been at launch in 1959.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com