302-mile Mini van set to make £25k at auction

A 1968 Austin Mini Van that has remained virtually unused for 47 years could make up to £25,000 when it goes under the hammer later this month.

Bought for £400 by a Miss G Crumcott from Northern Ireland so that she could learn to drive, Miss Crumcott never passed her test and so the Mini was left in a garage for 30 years.

BMC Mini dealer, Mr T. Turkington bought the car in 1997 and placed it in his showroom until 2006 before selling it onto another collector in Northamptonshire. With so few owners, it is no surprise the car has covered just 302 miles.

Still wearing its seat protectors and rubber floor mats, plus original crossply Dunlop tyres and spare wheel, the car has been carefully stored. It also comes with its original toolbox, which remains unopened.

Now, the ‘timewarp’ classic will up for grabs at Silverstone Auctions’ Restoration Show Sale on 28 March at Birmingham NEC.

The Austin Mini Van joins nearly 70 other cars on offer in the sale, including a 2001 BMW Z8, a restored 1980 Aston Martin V8 and a 1969 Porsche 912 Restoration Project.

To find out more about the car and Silverstone Auctions’ sale, visit the website.