Description

1971 Mini 850 Pickup

SOLD £12,205

From a deceased estate; lovely Morris Mini Pickup with various tasteful upgrades

Although the Mini Saloon was launched in 1959, it wasn’t until the following year that a commercial version was introduced, the Mini Van, which was built on the slightly longer Traveller chassis. In 1961 it was joined by another commercial, the Pickup, which shared the same ¼ ton load capacity and had an open-topped rear cargo area and a folding tailgate. Like the van it had a simple slotted radiator grille (cheaper than the chromed item on the Saloon) with sliding windows and external door hinges. The interior was also very basic with sun visors and seat belts being extra cost options, although a heater was standard. Powered by an 848cc A-series four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox, it soon became a familiar sight on UK roads often bedecked in the livery of a utility company or small business. Equipped with all-round independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, it proved just as much fun to drive as its saloon car sibling. Production finally came to an end in 1982 with some 58,000 Pickups built in total although most led hard lives and survivors are becoming rare and sought after. This lovely Morris Mini Pickup has been somewhat upgraded in recent years and is now rather more sporting and luxurious than it would have been when it was first registered in March 1971. Lots of invoices back to 2006 show that many new parts have been fitted over this period including: Cooper S front brake discs; Lucas sports coil; copper head gasket set; spin-on oil filter; stage 1 tuning kit HIF44 carb; brake and clutch master cylinders; wheel bearings; brake pipes; suspension bushes; subframe and engine mountings; windscreen; tyres – the list goes on and on. The interior benefits from black leather door cards and half-leather seats with headrests, replacement headlining and a Mountney steering wheel. Other features include a chrome front grille, sports exhaust and a sturdy Ifor Williams aluminium hardtop. An invoice shows that it was Waxoyl treated in 2011 while other documentation includes 5 old MOTs back to 1990 at 85,192 miles (the clock now showing 101,613 miles), some undated restoration photos, an original van/pickup owners handbook, a period sales brochure and a spare set of keys. Starting promptly and feeling very lively as we moved it around for these photos, this practical little pickup is on offer here from a deceased estate and would make a great promotional vehicle for any small business. For more information please contact James Dennison on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]