'Oldest' MK1 Mini rediscovered........

[mini63]

Circa 1975

[Supersonic]

I’m at a loss why 1959 Minis make such high prices? We anoraks know the difference but non-anoraks do not understand nor care. Looking at a beautiful totally untouched mint Almond Green 1967 Mk1 SDL earlier just convinced me that later cars are much more appealing. At a third of the price have I missed something?

[Pete]

non-anoraks do not understand nor care. :

Yet they seem to be the ones that buy them, ditto works Minis etc, anoraks are too bleedin tight! . People just like rarity and possibly the appeal of the original concept, each to their own I say. Someone spent a bomb on a beach car at auction in recent times much to the bemusement of many, but whatever butters your crumpet, doesn't need much analysis.

[bill773mini]

I’m at a loss why 1959 Minis make such high prices? We anoraks know the difference but non-anoraks do not understand nor care. Looking at a beautiful totally untouched mint Almond Green 1967 Mk1 SDL earlier just convinced me that later cars are much more appealing. At a third of the price have I missed something?

Each to their own Supersonic, I wouldn't want a 67 SDL if you gave me one (I'd sell it for an early car) and have no interest at all in MK2's or 3's (or Coopers & Cooper S's) But I want the earliest purest and closest Mini I can find to Issi's concept. I have a 90's Cooper that's a much better drive and road car but it doesn't hold my passion, that's what 59's and 60's do. Each to their own, that's what makes the world of Minis interesting.

[Supersonic]

Bill, I fully respect your view, passion and enthusiasm for early cars as I like later cars.
The Mini world is a much better place for our different passions and interests.

Alan

[mini63]

It was the 40th production Morris built 25th May. It spent 3 years in the experimental department at Cowley. During that time it was renumbered 380 then in 1962 sold 2nd hand to Cowley worker Berrard Ferriman. As part of its sale to him it was renumbered again 98. Hence people wrongly thinking it was an earlier car that chassis number 101 (621 AOK). Chassis numbers 100,99,98,97 & 96 were all issued after 101. No 96 as late as 1968. 97 was the Cooper Prototype, it lists the original car number in that entry in the records.

#97 therefore being YOK250 or KEL236 Bill?

I can guess why the car is not listed in the 59 register but would it be a suggestion that perhaps 434NWL is recorded in the 59 register for capturing and tracing what has become of it?
The story is very interesting albeit with an unfortunate train of events and outcome.

[bill773mini]

Yes YOK 250 is 97 was 589 from mid July.

We certainly do hold all the information etc on all these cars (including NWLand YOK) our definition of "on the register" is where the owner has registered it with us, however we also have a database of cars that are not "registered".

Their history and who owns or owned them is all on records where ever we can discover information.

[mk1]

I want <snip> purest and closest Mini I can find to Issi's concept.

Surely in that case Bill, you should be looking out for a nice hydro car

[mini63]

Yes YOK 250 is 97 was 589 from mid July.

We certainly do hold all the information etc on all these cars (including NWLand YOK) our definition of "on the register" is where the owner has registered it with us, however we also have a database of cars that are not "registered".

Their history and who owns or owned them is all on records where ever we can discover information.

Cheers Bill....thank you.

[bill773mini]

Technically a Basic 59 with Hydro yes Mark!