Finding a Mini to restore, especially one that’s highly desirable and collectable, isn’t an easy task these days. Vans, in particular, don’t appear for sale too often; and when they do, there’s rarely little change from £5000 for a ‘barn find’ in poor condition. So, when Ray Holmes heard about a very early example for sale in the USA, he felt it was well worth pursuing.
The Austin Seven ¼-ton Van, as it was initially known, commenced production in early 1960. This example, finished in its original hue of Marigold (YL7), was built in June of that year – the very same month that deliveries of BMC’s latest diminutive commercial began reaching dealerships.
According to Ray, this particular van is a UK-spec example that made its way when new to Westgate Motors in Wakefield, a few miles from his own home in West Yorkshire. It was exported to the US at some point afterwards and converted to left-hand drive, although he hasn’t managed to find out when this was or what happened to the van during its time in the States.
