1969 Austin Mini Cooper

‘WAN 279G’ is a MKII Mini Cooper from 1969. Finished in black over Tartan Red, it is fitted with the high-revving 998cc engine and four-speed manual gearbox .

Restored in 2015-16 by, we think, its third owner it’s been in the seller’s hands since he bought it from us in February 2022 and he’s continued to lavish it with love and money. 

The result is the car you see here, a Mini Cooper that drives every bit as well as you’d expect and looks utterly terrific into the bargain.

Finished in Tartan Red with a gloss black roof, the Mini Cooper looks every inch the icon it is. Mind you, with its winning combination of square rear lamps, larger rear window, updated grille, and old-style sliding windows many believe the MKII is the sweet spot in the Mini range.

Sitting on a set of 10-inch dished steel wheels and a set of matching 165/70R10 Falken tyres, its cutesy looks are enhanced by a sprinkling of very good chromework. The result is purposeful but elegant, which is about as good as it gets really, isn’t it?

While there is no information as to who carried out the work, the restoration was clearly done to a high standard because the panels all align well, the shutlines are neat, and the overall fit ‘n’ finish is excellent.

The Tartan Red paint was clearly applied by someone who knew what they were doing and other nice touches include an A-pillar mounted mirror, chrome overriders on the front bumper, and a pair of black and silver numberplates.

The window glass is good too, as are the badges and the lamp lenses. It’s a Proper Job that’s withstood the passage of eight years and just over 2,000 miles with impressive aplomb.

There is, we are told, a small area of light rust starting to develop on the lower edge of the boot lid. You can’t see it in the photos and we didn’t notice it and we only mention it because the seller is keen to be absolutely honest in mentioning every flaw he’s aware of.

The Mini’s cabin is simplicity itself, which leaves nowhere for shoddy workmanship or second-rate fittings to hide.

Which is fine because just as much time and money has been lavished in here as elsewhere.

The vinyl seats that are fitted are firm and comfortable. Unmarked too, but then given they were rebuilt in 2017 and have seen only a couple of thousand miles of use since their stunning condition shouldn’t come as a surprise. 

Black door cards and matching rear trim panels tie the front and rear together nicely, and the chrome speaker grilles and door handles (recently replaced by the seller with the correct ones you see here) lend the interior a finished elegance some lack. 

The three-dial dashboard is like very good, as is the steering wheel, gearknob, sunvisors, and headlining. 

The sliding front windows glide fore and aft as they should, while the rear windows pivot open easily.

The carpets are excellent too, and feature heel protectors on both sides and soundproofing material underneath. 

Oh, and the clothes peg you see holding the choke on is as much a part of Mini lore as Paddy Hopkirk, so don’t worry about having to sort that out ;-)

The boot is in great shape and features a full-size spare wheel and matching Falken tyre. The false boot floor is excellent too, and lifting everything out shows nothing but well-painted and solid metal.

The seller is honest enough to mention that there are two rattles in the car, one from the speedometer and one from somewhere near the bulkhead. 

Other than that, the only thing we can see you might like to look at is the ashtray, which is pitted and rusty.

The previous owner submitted the Mini to Classic Workshop Ltd for a post-purchase inspection in 2017 and ran up a bill for £423 putting a few minor issues right. This work set the pattern for subsequent years, when he treated the Mini to the following:

• 06.07.2017 – service by Classic Workshop Ltd including rebuilding the front seats, fitting a new clutch spring, and adjusting the driver’s door at a cost of £609
• 01.05.2018 – remove engine to replace engine timing chain, stop oil leaks, fettle cooling system, and fit new sparkplugs and oil and filter by Classic Workshop Ltd at a cost of almost £2,000
• 25.07.2018 – nut and bolt and fluid check by Classic Workshop Ltd
• 11.07.2019 – service by Classic Workshop Ltd plus new top suspension knuckles and driveshaft UJs at a cost of £720
• 21.07.2020 – service plus carburettor balance, new wheel bearings, new rear radius arm bearings, fuel filler neck repair, new rearview mirror, and refit heater box with new seals by Classic Project Shop at a cost of £747
• 26.07.2021 – service by Classic Project Shop
• 14.01.2022 – MoT preparation by Classic Project Shop

The seller has subsequently fitted the 998cc engine with a new Lumenition electronic ignition system. As you can see, it starts well and shows very good oil pressure but then the engine work during the restoration including a full cylinder head overhaul and rebuild as well as a reground crankshaft.

He tells us it has been “ultra reliable” since he’s owned it.

Cosmetically, the engine bay is beautifully presented. Everything is nicely painted, the cable and hoses neatly organized, and reproduction stickers add the finishing touch. This is an engine you’ll be proud to show off at your local classic car show. 

(If you are looking for a small job to get you out of the house this winter then the rocker cover has a couple of paint drips on it, so you could repaint that…)

The restoration saw a vast array of new metal panels fitted; we haven’t tallied up the final bill but there’s one from July 2015 in which 22 separate pieces of metal were purchased in one go. More were purchased in August 2015 and, well, you get the picture.

The underside has been left painted so you can see exactly what sort of condition it is in. We love to see things like this; while underseal is by far the easiest option, given the infrequent use classic cars get means a painted finish is still decently practical while helping to lift it to another level in terms of presentation.

The Mini’s MoT certificate is valid until April 2025 and if you’ve been paying attention the fact it, like six before, was issued with no advisories won’t come as a surprise. 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Mini comes with two sets of keys in addition to a bunch of invoices for the work the seller and previous owner have had carried out since it was restored.

There are also many, many invoices for the parts that were replaced during that restoration. There are too many to list here, so why not make yourself a brew and settle in for the long haul to examine them?

Dating back to a time when your good taste was demonstrated by a preference for clever engineering over square footage, the Mini still holds its own as a cheap, fun car – only now it’s miniscule running costs are underpinned by rock-solid residuals, so you don’t even have to factor in the sort of depreciation modern car drivers worry about.

It's also a helluva lot of fun to drive and draws admiring glances wherever it goes; few cars are as revered as a Mini Cooper and this is one of the nicest we’ve seen in a very long time.

We estimate it’s going to sell for between £16,000 and £20,000 but as the seller has sufficient faith in his car to offer it with no reserve its ultimate value will be decided by you.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.