Lot 017: Austin Mini Pickup

Alec Issigonis' revolutionary small saloon, a masterpiece of packaging, proved most versatile. Minis have been built in the greatest number of different derivatives, factory built worldwide, of any British model - saloons, estates, convertibles, vans, pick-ups, Mokes, warmed-up (Cooper), hotted-up (Cooper S) and superheated (ERA Turbo) versions, extended-boot luxury versions, extended-nose (Clubman) versions, and even glassfibre-bodied versions (built in Chile and later Venezuela). Of the near 51/2 million Minis made between 1959 and the end of production in October 2000, about a tenth were utility versions - vans and pick-ups, built on the same slightly longer-wheelbase chassis shared with the Countryman and estate. The pick-up, launched in 1961 at the same time as the original 997 Cooper, is the second rarest of the bunch, with about 58,000 produced against around 49,000 Mokes and 520,000 vans. This pick-up was "extensively and fanatically" restored by a body specialist seven years ago, receiving a bare-metal respray "to the highest standard". Subframes were either painted or powder-coated. The wiring harness and instruments were new, and the interior is trimmed in leather and Alcantara. The original 850cc engine has gone, and the pick-up is now powered by a 998cc A-Plus engine, with Cooper 'S' brakes all round. It sits well on its fully adjustable suspension, riding Minilite-type wheels and Yokohama tyres. It was good enough to win best commercial at a Mini World concours around 18 months after the restoration was completed. Since the work was done, it has been stored in a controlled environment, with minimal mileage covered, and the owner says it is just as good now as when first completed, having not been out in the rain. He describes the paint, body, chassis and interior as "immaculate" and the engine, transmission, electrical equipment and wheels and tyres as "excellent". Though it was first registered in 1971, this pick-up has attended several Goodwood Revival meetings as a service vehicle with the appropriate period numberplates, and would no doubt be most welcome again. "Beautiful and faultless" says the owner.