Registration - OUW 841R

Chassis No. - XK2S1-434960A

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 75,360

This clean and original 1977 Mini 850 is being offered at No Reserve. The Mini 850 has a subtly different character to the more familiar Mini 1000, with the classic round speedometer featuring instead of the Mini 1000’s three-dial setup. It also doesn’t have reversing lights built into the rear lamps – which is why this car has period auxiliary reversing lights on the boot. The vendor describes the 848cc engine as being in ‘good’ condition, and the four-speed manual transmission as ‘excellent’, as are the electrics. Being a 1977 car, this Mini is also tax and MOT exempt.

‘OUW841R’ enjoyed a full restoration in 2002, which included a full respray. The vendor reports that, 22 years on, the comprehensive restoration is now showing signs of a few micro-blisters on the bonnet and boot, with a few rust bubbles too. They described the paintwork as ‘average’ but add that the bodywork is ‘good’, and the interior is ‘excellent’. Delightfully period, with the original steering wheel, the only upgrade inside is a modern radio – complete with remote control. “The car runs and drives really well,” says the vendor, and it was actually driven to the Hampson Auctions site from Liverpool, without any issues whatsoever.

The Mini is Britain’s most famous car. Introduced in 1959, the Sir Alec Issigonis masterpiece was an economy car like no other, a tiny saloon packed featuring numerous innovations, from a gearbox-in-sump engine, to its space-saving transverse installation. The Mini 850 was the economy-focused special, which sat below the Mini 1000 during the 1970s. The two cars were similar, but the Mini 850 had cost-conscious features such as a single-dial dashboard and vinyl seats, which today are a collectable rarity compared to the better-selling Mini 1000.

In summary:

• Highly original 1977 Mini 850
• Offered at No Reserve
• Benefitted from a comprehensive restoration in 2002