This Neglected MINI Cooper S Just Sold For RM154,000. Why?
It can be really tough to put a price on nostalgia, especially when it comes to classic cars. That being said, the market tends to settle on an agreed upon price for certain makes and models. But just the other day, we heard something we couldn’t believe. This 1965 Austin Mini Cooper S that had been sitting undriven with its road tax/MOT Cert expired in 1974 sold at an auction for £28,600! The sale happened on the 23rd of September 2020 through Charterhouse.
That’s right, someone actually paid RM154,290 for a completely neglected Mini Cooper S. This isn’t even some JCW special or anything. It’s just a standard Mark 1 Mini Cooper S with over 91,000km on the clock and 4 previous owners. Perhaps because it’s a first generation car, it’s considered even more collectable than usual. Looking up Mini engine data online, it looks as if the motor had EN40B forged steel nitrided crankshafts. See end of post for more details on the car.
If you’re a classic MINI fan or expert, please let us know if the car is really worth this kind of money or if someone just overpaid for it. There are plenty of actual classic sports cars that go for less money and in better condition too!
Taking a look at running condition Minis in Malaysia, there’s nothing that comes close to the price this bidder paid. In fact, you can get an even older 1963 model fully restored in Malaysia for just over RM40,000. Most of the Minis listed here use the Japan body and are later models. Perhaps these are not quite the collectors items as the ones in the UK.
Details of Model Auctioned
A 1965 Austin Mini Cooper S
Registration number MTC 223C
Chassis number C-A257–552256
Engine number 9F-SA-73246
RF60 & V5
Almond green with a white roof
From a Derbyshire deceased estate
Four owners from new
The third owner bought the Cooper on 1/9/67 and gave it to his son as a 21st birthday present on 1/12/67 who kept the car until he passed away in 2019
Garaged since 1973 and discovered by the family buried under decades of clutter in 2019
MOT certificate from 1973 (expired April 1974 noting mileage 88,932 – odometer now records 91,852)
A few notes/letters from the owner to DVLA from 1983 when he applied for a new-style V5 document
A rare opportunity to own and restore an iconic Cooper S
Vehicle Location: Near Glastonbury (removed from Derbyshire)
All lots in this sale are sold as is and bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Please read our terms and conditions
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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