I have been doing some research and asking various people in regards to the very first production runs of minis, reason being is I have a mini van which is an import with reg docs and a very old peculiar looking tag of AV7 5385. I have owned and still do own a few early mk1's but this is my first van.
Im being told by some people vans were not even produced until 20k+ models of the saloons were built, but then historically Mini Vans were launched January 1960 so a first batch of models would have needed to been produced prior to this meaning earlier production numbers or at least prototyped.
One mini historian said Vans were being prototyped the same time as the first mini saloons, and that pre launch cars along with the first minis where sent overseas prior to launch in 59.
I guess one of the issues here is that if you have a van for commercial use its going to die and maybe the lack of early vans proves this.
One of my gripes here is that i have been told different production dates and colours of the car according to the production number. As there are valid question over the first mini ever to roll off the line i find these differing opinions almost invalid. Reg office have looked over the records (extremely painful) and it goes back with that Vin number registered to 1965, and unfortunately unless i can prove otherwise for clearance it will need to be registered as this, chassis number would not agree to this however.....
I am getting it sent to my mothers next week so i will send plenty of pictures took some over in SA but not many as my wife was not impressed i convinced them to sell it to me.
Van has had a new roof and a SA series 1 998cc block gears and gear stick, speedo, wiper motor, wheels, and what replaced that before hand who knows until i look at it next week.
Any thoughts please let me know!
Also Unfortunately planning permission rejected for my garage/workshop so my 63 and mystery van for the winter could sit outside!!! if anyone has storage near by me please let me know! Im in Newport essex
