How much ??!

[Pete]

I know we all crave an original untouched car and buyers will pay a premium for one but this one took the biscuit last weekend at Brightwells ....

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C393017

It even made the papers ! :


A tatty Mini, which sat unloved in a garage for 20 years, has set a new record after selling for £31,000 at auction.

Despite a non-functioning engine, faded paint and a lack of MOT or tax, the green Austin Mini Cooper S engine soared past its pre-sale estimated price of £8,000.
The car was snapped up by an anonymous collector at an auction run by Dorset based outfit Charterhouse, with experts crediting its original features for the eye-widening winning bid, which makes it the most expensive Mini Cooper S ever to be sold at auction.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Matt Whitney, head of classic cars at Charterhouse, explained why the car is worth so much: "The sheer originality of this car is what makes it so unique and valuable.

"Minis like this simply don't come on to the market much any more - they are incredibly rare. I would think there are fewer than a dozen of these cars existing in the world today.

"All of its features are original from the 1275cc engine with twin carburettors to its two-tone interior trim and body panels. It has the ultimate spec for a Mini."

Made in 1966, seven years into the model's production run, the Mini shows 75,000 miles on the clock and has had three registered owners.

The most recent owner bought it in 1968 and drove it around for 25 years before putting it in a garage in 1993, after replacing it with a Peugeot 205.

The car currently needs around £2,000 to get it into a roadworthy condition, but could be worth far more than £31,000 when fully up and running.

Charterhouse commented that a fierce bidding war started between collectors when the car went under the hammer. This is largely due to the Cooper S being one of the most sought after models in the Mini range, thanks to its more powerful 1.3-litre engine and the kudos of the Cooper badge, which marks the collaboration between Austin and former F1 car manufacturer John Cooper Cars.



I bought a car in a similar condition, possibly better, in 2005 for just over £5K !

[mk1coopers]

Another article riddled with errors !

Most expensive Cooper S sold at auction, lets think, GPH 1C, DJB 93B, 8 EMO.......ect ect (OK maybe the most expensive unrestored S)

2K to put it back on the road, who knows with that seized engine, it could need £££££

Made 7 years into the models production run, it's a technicality but as the 1275 S wasn't produced until 64 I'd make that 2 years

And who are John Cooper Cars, the Cooper Car Co I've heard of, and John Cooper, but not a mix of the two

Nice car to start with and just do the minimum to the body to get it back on the road looking like it does, but not at that price

[Pete]

Another article riddled with errors !

Most expensive Cooper S sold at auction, lets think, GPH 1C, DJB 93B, 8 EMO.......ect ect (OK maybe the most expensive unrestored S)

In terms of a standard road car it might be, though a restored one sold I think for the same kind of price at H&H last year. Total opposite of that car though. I think it's fair to say that if you want to buy a car at a reasonable price an auction is no longer the place to go !

[guru_1071]

another nice barn find coming up for sale

http://www.dvca.co.uk/vehicles-for-auct ... tryman2510

[foxy52]

Another article riddled with errors !

Most expensive Cooper S sold at auction, lets think, GPH 1C, DJB 93B, 8 EMO.......ect ect (OK maybe the most expensive unrestored S)

In terms of a standard road car it might be, though a restored one sold I think for the same kind of price at H&H last year. Total opposite of that car though. I think it's fair to say that if you want to buy a car at a reasonable price an auction is no longer the place to go !

....I spluttered on my cup of tea when I saw the comment " 2 grand to bring it up to speed" !!??!!!!...it did look a kosher car though from the ouset though ... someone has some serious Wonga to chuck about.. prob another rock/media type... all good news to cooper owners.. I have a feeling the mini specifically coopers are gonna be highly sought after.. if they aren't already lol... compare coopers to MGB,S of the period ?? I saw a lovely 68 f plate mgc in cromer with knock off wire wheels in cream last sunday !!! gorgeous......!! foxy52

[Pete]

The late Steve Rothwell's cars ( a lovely very original 1960 850, an older restored '64 1071 and a similar reshelled Mk3 S) fetched decent money at H&H this week...

http://www.classic-auctions.com/Auction ... 3.aspx?p=1

The 1071 went for about £21,500 inc fees. Anyone go ? (Bernie ! )

[mab01uk]

Link to the D.Mail Article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... arage.html