Vehicle Description
This is the car that started the small car revolution. Most of us
squeezed ourselves behind the wheel at one time or another in our
formative years and loved it. There was something about driving a
Mini, a cheeky quality which today's breed of 'superminis' have
found impossible to duplicate. It was an individual car created by
an individualist: Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis.The real
genius was his idea of using a transverse engine to drive the front
wheels via a gearbox built into the sump. It was a revolutionary
concept and one that soon came to the attention of the racing
fraternity.The �Sprite' replaced the �City' with a 1.3 litre
engine, the seats too came in for the 1990s treatment and were
based on those used in the Rover 200 with 'break back' squabs,
which could be released to fold forward, easing access to the
rear.But, it is a hoot. The suspension will be a shock to those
used to modern superminis but if you don't mind sacrificing a
little comfort, it's the most fun you can have around town for the
money.Due to their competitive price point and enormous fun, they
remained a perennial favourite for young and old alike. And, as
such, there are very few left in fine original
condition.Incredibly, this really is just one lady owner from new.
Delivered new to Swain & Jones Rover in Surrey with the added
option of metallic silver paint, it has received its annual MoT
test certificate there every year (until recently) and, for the
last three years, locally, in the Dorking area. Complete with the
original owner's pack and history back to 1996, this example looks
unused and with just 5,800 recorded, I am not surprised. For sale
by auction on Saturday 23 September 2017 with Historics at
Brooklands, Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey,
Call 01753 639170