Lot 729: 1967 Mini Morris Mini 1000 saloon

Think of the sizzling 1960’s and one’s mind immediately conjures up images of the age of youth - The Beatles, Mary Quant and the mini-skirt, the buzz of London’s Carnaby Street, free-love and flower-power, and of course the Mini car, the brainchild of Alec Issigonis. In 1967 The Beatles were at the height of their fame and the Lennon-McCartney single, ‘Penny Lane’, recorded during the ‘Sgt.Pepper’ sessions and released as one side of the double A-sided single, along with Lennon’s ‘Strawberry Fields Forever,’ was destined to be one of The Beatles greatest hits. The initial release was in February 1967 and ‘Penny Lane’ was released also in November that year on the US ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ album. The name of the single came from the area of Liverpool where The Beatles grew up, essentially Allerton Road and Smithdown Road, and Penny Lane was named after James Penny, an 18th Century slave trader. ‘Penny Lane’ lyrics were both graphic and irreverent, a study of the mundaneness of suburban Liverpool. As part of the promotion of the single at least two, and possibly more, Penny Minis were created, sensationally covered in old English pennies, reflecting the eccentricity of the age. This car was first registered in March 1968 and, when bought in London for the collection in the 1980’s, was described as one of those cars, although there is no supporting documentation. Whatever, this car reflects the swinging sixties in every respect and must be on the shopping list of pop memorabilia collectors, specialist Mini collectors and numismatists! The car has not been used for many years although recently started and ran, recording good oil pressure. The body is known to need some remedial work. This iconic collector’s item is offered with a Swansea V5 registration document.