1994 Mini Cooper Monte Carlo
Estimated at £10,000 - £12,000
Lot details
Registration No: M9 NTE
Chassis No: SAXXNNAYCBD094460
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.
Introduced in 1959, as an ultra-small, ultra-economical car to combat a fuel crisis and much competition from European makers, the Issigonis-designed Mini-Minor featured a miraculously packaged transversely-mounted engine, gearbox 'in the sump', front-wheel-drive and all-independent rubber suspension. In the first few years, Minis carried many different badges, the Mini-Cooper made the little car famous in motorsport - but it was not until 1969 that the range was 'de-badged', and 'Mini' became a brand of its own. The Mini-Cooper S became legendary for winning the Monte Carlo rally three times (a fourth 'win' resulted in disqualification on a technicality), but after British Leyland was formed the model was dropped in 1971. Mini assembly, however, carried on at Longbridge thereafter, and marketing pressure led to the Mini Cooper brand being reborn from 1990. Still tiny, still hard sprung, and still only available in two-door saloon form, it remained popular until the end finally came in October 2000. In the final decade, annual production gradually declined, though many special editions were produced to keep the car alive. Well over five million Minis were produced in 41 years, all of them with one or other type of A-Series engine and front-wheel-drive. One of those Special Edition models of the late-model Mini Cooper was built in 1994, and badged 'Monte Carlo' (as a tribute to Paddy Hopkirk's Monte victory of thirty years earlier). Mechanically standard, with just 63bhp and a fuel injected power unit, it was fitted with special alloy wheels, four extra driving lamps, and a decidedly red-themed interior. The cost was £7,995, and precisely 200 such cars were built
This particular example - which carries the appropriate registration plate of 'M9 NTE' (MONTE) - is described by the vendor as being in "as new" condition. A one owner car, it is warranted to have covered just 80 miles from new. Reportedly collected from a Sheffield Rover dealer in 1994, the diminutive four-seater was driven home to Derbyshire, used once to visit Buxton, and then stored carefully. The Mini has not ventured out since, lacks a current MOT certificate and is covered by SORN paperwork. The seller considers that 'M9 NTE' must be one of the lowest-mileage, special edition Minis in the world.