Estimated Price: £25,000 - £30,000

The history of the Austin Mini began in 1959 with the rise of British pop culture. Considered as the British icon of the '60s, this charming little city car combined practicality, reliability and driving pleasure. The production of the original Mini speaks for itself: 5.3m units produced between 1959 and 2000. Far from doubting the commercial success of this front-engined compact, the Austin, BMC, Morris or Rover teams quickly had fun developing different versions. From the Cooper and Cooper S to the Clubman, there was something for every taste and use.

Launched on the 16th January 1987, Austin-Rover produced its famous and recognisable 'London' versions of the Mini, the 'Park Lane' was one in a series of limited-edition Minis based on upmarket London landmarks: Piccadilly, Chelsea, Mayfair and the Ritz also featured. Identifying features of the Park Lane included a sports steering wheel, stereo radio/cassette player, 'Exclusive' Park Lane interior trim, unique exterior brightwork and a 'distinctive black exterior with graphics', gold 'Park Lane' logos on the boot and doors, matte black rear-view mirrors and wing flares, chrome bumpers and door handles, and almost solid wheel covers on steel rims. The 'Park Lane' was one of the 1,500 limited edition UK-market examples, with 700 examples for the Japanese market and 800 examples for export; there are thought to be just 34 remaining UK-examples of the Park Lane.

And none of them are quite like this example presented here: unregistered, never been on-the-road, never seen any weather, always stored indoors. Acquired by our vendor directly from the manufacturer and kept as an office reception centrepiece ever since. A little dusty perhaps but in 'as new' condition; a basic check-over and recommission would see it start/run - not that adding to its delivery mileage of 52 miles would perhaps been in its interest, value-wise, but using it is always an option for a new owner. The level of preservation and originality is, without question, collector or museum-level; to find classic Minis in this sort of condition is now almost impossible.  

The end for the classic Mini finally came on 4th October 2000, when the last car rolled of the production line at Longbridge to the soundtrack of the film The Italian Job and thunderous applause from the gathered crowd of workers, management and journalists and now, 25 years on, a 1980s Mini makes a tempting classic proposition.

Representing the pinnacle of the later Austin-Rover Mini incarnations, a firm must-have for any classic Mini fan or collector, this must be one of the best available today. With just 52 miles covered and in a rarely seen state of preservation, this single owner from new Mini Park Lane needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.