1977 Leyland Mini 1000 NO RESERVE

NO RESERVE! For sale is a 1977 Leyland Mini 1000. This Mini was built in Australia and spent its life in New Zealand where it was bought on-line in 2006. The Mini was shipped to Rolla, Missouri via ocean freight through Charleston South Carolina harbor.

At the time I received it, it was a very solid running car with about 100,000 miles on it. The odometer currently reads 11,702.5. I dismantled it and stripped it to the bare shell. I completely stripped all the paint with a commercial sand blaster and started rebuilding it with a shiny metal bare shell. Hundreds of hours and $13,000 worth of parts later it was finished.

The original engine and transmission was replaced with a 1275A+ engine and new style transmission from a salvage yard in England. The engine was completely rebuilt with all new parts. New seals in the transmission and a 2.90 differential from Canada was installed. A high lift cam, Longman header and single 2 ½ stromburg was installed. I drove it daily for 5 ½ years . Cruising at 80 miles per hour was easy on the interstate.

A British gentleman came thru town one day and saw me driving it. He flagged me down and bought it on the spot. He was opening a “Fish & Chips type British Restaurant” in a touristry type small town in Hardy, Arkansas, and wanted my car to park in front of his restaurant for advertising purposes. The mini was painted Victory Red with a white top that was covered with the British Union Jack flag. The little car was a real “looker” and “eye catcher” After five years of operation and the car being photographed thousands of times he closed the restaurant and had no further need for the car.

My son purchased the car back with the intention of giving it to his son. After more thought and consideration, my grandson was not able to properly care for and store this vehicle, as he is in the military, therefore we have decided to sell it.

The motor and transmission is still very solid. The car runs and drives as it should. The motor purrs like a kitten. The car is currently configured for left hand drive, however it is easy to swap to right hand drive if you wish. There is some rust starting to show on the drivers side door panel and on the rocker panels. The only other imperfection is that the paint has flaked off of the rear license plate light cowl.

We are selling this with no reserve. It is a great little car and is extremely fun to drive. You will not be able to drive it without getting looks, thumbs up, and more photographs taken of it than you can tolerate. This car has won many trophy's at car shows over the years and is a crowd favorite at any parade.

The car is located in Rolla, Missouri. Winning bidder should plan on picking the car up within 2 weeks of end of auction, or arrange for shipping.