It's a mad world: $197,000 Mini
The world's most expensive original Mini, which has only 4,825 miles on the odometer, has been sold at auction for an amazing $197,000. The original Mini had great fuel economy and classy styling, but this one of a kind Mini is a bit of a racing legend. In 1965 this exact Mini won Britain's RAC rally. A year later, the little Mini that could topped all comers in the Scottish Rally.
After 30 years of being left alone, the vehicle was extensively restored, with great care taken to nail every original detail. The Mini, which has been on the show circuit for the past 10 years, can still sing a beautiful song at 8,000 RPM. We've seen some crazy things sold for a lot more than $197,000, so a racing legend Mini with 4,825 miles of rally heritage doesn't seem like such a nutty thing.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick 4:35PM (3/27/2007)
Seems well in line given the history. I bet Eric Carlsson's little Saabs are worth a ton of money as well.
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Otto Nginir 4:56PM (3/27/2007)
Looks terrific. The original "hot hatch" and forerunner to the GTI, STI, and EVO. Hope it continues to get shown to the public, it has panache.
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DPC car videos 4:47PM (3/27/2007)
That's a very clean low mileage Mini but 197K is pushing it.
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iQuack 5:04PM (3/27/2007)
What's that old saying about a fool and his money.....?
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Steve P 6:04PM (3/27/2007)
HELL YES! ORIGINAL MINIS FOR LIFE!
I mean, I don't have $197K in mine, but I'm also heavily invested in a mini... It has parts from 3 continents on it! It's a 1984 mini (64 to the US Government...) and I have a Z-cars (www.zcars.org.uk) K20A conversion kit, which changes the layout from front-engine and front wheel drive to mid-engine/RWD and has a completely adjustable independent suspension. I've also got a JDM K20A (the stock 220 HP one from the DC5 Integra) with an AEM standalone hooked to an AIM MXL Strada, a TODA flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch. It's still coming together, but it will be done by the end of summer. Cute little econobox? More like cute little 10 second daily driver. And RWD. Rocked.
Hell no that didn't have anything to do with the post, but minis rule. And if you don't like it you can just Giiiiit ooouuut!
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Harrison 7:45PM (3/27/2007)
If I remember correctly, these were sometimes completely damaged and rebodied by the factory, so the vins might be off.
Anyway... what happened to the one that won the Monte Carlo Rally?
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Ian 9:10PM (3/27/2007)
Drats I knew I should never have sold my 1965 Mini!
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autopian 9:33PM (3/27/2007)
expensive
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JamesWB 4:14AM (3/28/2007)
@3 You might want to look up what 'hatch back' means...
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