1962 Austin Mini Riviera 'Beach Car'

This particular car was loaned to the Royal Family and used by the Queen at Windsor (and probably Sandringham, too), where she was photographed standing next to it. 

According to a contemporary column in the Daily Express newspaper that reported on the Queen's drive: "The Queen, a knowledgeable motorist, doubtless enjoys travelling in this unconventional little vehicle as much as she does in her Rolls."

It was also transported to the Netherlands on the Royal Yacht Britannia for a 1965 state visit by Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, who drove it through the streets of Amsterdam. 

It is the only Riviera Buggy to be liveried in ‘Alamo Beige’ with a ‘Snowberry White’ roof.

By 1968, its royal duties over, the car was back at BMC, gathering dust along with other prototypes and oddities for which the Longbridge factory had no further use. 

Keen to see it preserved and cared-for, and very much aware of its illustrious provenance, it was bought the current owner’s grandfather, who had worked with Alec Issigonis and was part of the Experimental Department.

Permission for the car’s sale had to be sought from and granted by BMC Directors. 

This utterly unique car has been in the same family ownership ever since. It passed from father to son in later years – the son having joined BMC as an apprentice in 1965. 

Having spent years working on Minis and tuning them to race spec, he deserves most of the credit for keeping the car in the outstanding dynamic, mechanical and aesthetic condition you see today. 

It has played a starring role in numerous family weddings and at various rallies, events and shows.

It has never been restored, it is exceptional in every way, and it has just 11,527 miles showing on the odometer.

It’s hard to imagine how or why BMC didn’t push this concept into full-scale production.

It’s a gorgeous little car and the door-less, B-pillarless aesthetic really works, in our opinion.

Factor in the lovely warm tones of Alamo Beige and the crisp white roof, and you’ve got a car that’s as pretty as a picture.

It’s also got the proven engine, suspension and mechanical underpinnings of one of the best handling cars ever made.

Having been diligently cared-for and curated by an ex-BMC apprentice and engineer for most of its post-royal life, it should come as no surprise to learn that it starts on the button and drives, goes and stops with plenty of confidence-inspiring capability.

The panels are free of any dinks, dents, cracks or creases.

There are no door shuts, but the panel gaps around the boot and bonnet are consistent and even.

The paintwork has held up very well and has plenty of shine and vibrancy to it. 

There are a couple of patches of rubbed away paint beneath the rear screen and the odd paint chip and touch up in evidence on the sills, no doubt caused by the ingress and egress of (royal or otherwise) feet. 

The wheels are in fine condition, as are the matching Falken tyres.

The chrome work throughout has resisted any tarnishing, foxing or pitting that we can see.

The lights, lenses, badging and all other exterior fixtures and fittings are beyond reproach.

One small item of trim may have caught your attention – the small chrome button on the o/s/f wing.

We are reliably informed that this was used to secure the royal pennant in place when the car was on official duties.

Most cars don’t have one of those, in case you were wondering.

The interior of this Riviera Buggy is unlike that you’d find in any other iteration of a Mini.

No doubt with a nod to the Fiat Jolly, wicker-work is the order of the day for the seats.

In fact, there’s so much wicker-work on show that we’d warn against placing a picnic hamper inside. 

Chances are you’ll never find it again.

The seats are actually surprisingly comfortable, although we suspect a round trip to John O’ Groats might put that claim to the test.

The front seats are also accompanied by seat belts.

Where other Minis have carpets, this one has coir matting.

Like the seats, the matting is in fine condition.

So, too, is the headlining, save for a little light staining here and there.

The car’s steering wheel, gear lever and other controls all look fine, as does the dashboard.

As far as we’re aware, all switches, buttons, dials and gauges do what they’re supposed to do.

The vinyl trim under the dashboard knee-roll is detaching slightly in a couple of places and probably just requires the judicious application of some glue.

The boot is as good as the rest of it and contains a full-sized spare wheel and a car cover.

The engine and engine bay are notably clean and fresh-looking.

We’d give it 5 stars on a food hygiene rating, never mind a mechanic’s report, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides look to be as squeaky clean and minty fresh as the rest of the car and are clearly possessed of a great deal of structural integrity. 

None of which should come as any surprise given that the car has been owned, maintained and serviced by two generations of BMC engineers.

The car has electronic ignition, comes with a brand-new spare exhaust system, and has recently had work done to the fuel pump and the crankcase oil seals.

The car comes with all manner of cuttings and copies of photographs documenting its genesis and its use by Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret. 

Servicing and maintenance bills are thin on the ground because all and any work was carried out by the car’s expert owners. 

The documents include a recent, clear HPI report, the car’s original buff log book, and a V5C.

This car comes with an original internal BMC sales invoice covering its 1968 sale to the vendor’s grandfather.

It set him back the rather less than princely sum of £139.00.

It’s worth a bit more than that now.

This car is beyond rare and has never before come to market.

Even without its documented and accepted royal provenance, it is the only special build RHD Mini Riviera Buggy in existence.

But with that extraordinary provenance, its rarity reaches mythic, uncharted, unicorn-like levels and will, we confidently predict, attract some powerful bidding.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £100,000 - £200,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.