1969 Morris Mini panel van

Vin no. YJBAV4R1798

Engine no. 10YTUH20609

A British icon of the 1960s, the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th century (behind the Ford Model T). The appeal of the Morris Minor is so strong that for many people the mere mention of the name evokes nostalgic memories. A favourite with young and old, some 5.3 million Minis were manufactured and sold, making it the most popular British car ever produced.

The first prototype appeared in the experimental workshops at Cowley in early 1943, in time for when the war was eventually won and a new small car was needed to replace the Series E Morris. Left in the talented young hands of Alec Issigonis, his sketch-pad drawings depicted a ‘new generation’ of small car, with a highly unitary body-shell and uniquely small wheels.

Officially announced to the public in August 1959, the Mini was marketed under two main brand names, Austin and Morris, until 1969 when it became a marque in its own right. Manufactured at the Victoria Park / Zetland British Motor Corporation factory in Sydney, the Mini Mark had three major UK updates – the Mark II, the Clubman and the Mark III. Slow at the outset, Mark I sales strengthened across most of the model lines in the 1960s, and production totalled 1,190,000.

The Mini’s distinctive design features two-doors and a space saving front-wheel drive layout, allowing 80% of the area of the car’s floor plan to be designated for passengers and luggage. The 1964 model saw several changes including the 997 cc engine being replaced by a shorter stroke 998 cc unit. The suspension was updated by another Moulton design, the hydrolastic system, giving it a softer ride however this resulted in increased weight and production costs.

The commercial mini panel van was produced during the years 1960–1982 and rated at 1/4-ton load capacity. Extended on the longer Traveller chassis but without side windows, it proved extremely popular in 1960s Britain as a more economical option to the car, and classed as a commercial vehicle it carried no sales tax. The Mini Van was renamed the Mini 95 in 1978, the number representing the gross vehicle weight of 0.95 tons.

This cute little Australian produced van was purchased by the current owner from the Mini Owners Club of Queensland. The club had used it for promotion and transportation of equipment for car club events. After purchase, the car was re-painted from a maroon red to a soft yellow.

Fitted with an original type 1100cc engine and 4 speed manual transmission, retrofitted with disk brakes, 12”mag wheels, bucket sets and SAAS steering wheel, these updates certainly enhance the driving experience. Odometer reading approximately 40,000 miles.

This vehicle is currently registered in Queensland (S17747), the club plates illustrated are not transferrable and vehicle will be sold unregistered.