British Motor Heritage to offer Mk1 Mini bodyshells

British Motor Heritage is to build replacement bodyshells for Mk1 Minis. The first production run of 15 bodies will start in April with deliveries expected in May. The launch price is £9950, including VAT, and buyer’s will need to put down a 25% deposit.

The early body is different to its later counterparts. The major differences include smaller door aperture with different step profiles, sliding window doors with external hinges. Plus smaller rear window, rear side windows, and rear light mountings. The Mk1 also had different A-pillars and hinge reinforcements, different sills, front and rear parcel shelves. The bonnet, inner and front valances were also different – as was the numberplate mounting.

A prototype bodyshell was created last year and since then BMH has commissioned additional tooling to refine the finish and improve the build quality. A spokesman said, ‘BMH has used the later front bulkhead crossmember assembly as retooling for this non-visual part would have been prohibitive, and opted not to form the rotodip hole in the rear seat squab; recognising that a significant element of demand for the new shells will almost certainly be for historic motorsport.’