Mini Mk1

The days of the cheap Mini are long gone now – they’re all collector’s items. And since the Mk1 represents the Mini in its original, and arguably purest, form, they are among the most collectable of all. These were, after all, the models which saw the Mini take the world by storm, which introduced a host of new ideas to small car design, which became the fastest-selling British car in history and became a cultural touchstone that encapsulates an entire decade. But with value and historical importance, it’s even more important to know what you’re getting into if you choose to buy and run an early Mini.

OVERVIEW

The Mk1 version of the Mini spanned the first eight years of the little car’s long life, between the launch in September 1959 and the arrival of the Mk2 in late 1967. Representing Alec Issigonis’ very personal – and radical – idea of what the ideal small car should be, the Mini was originally presented with an 848cc A-Series engine and was available badged as an Austin