Characterful in khaki, this example of Morris’ Mini Pickup, which goes under the Hampson hammer at Bolesworth Castle on 22nd September, has had just one registered owner from new and has been subject of an extensive restoration.
Mini Pickups and Mini Vans are rare, mainly because commercial vehicles were workhorses, often sold on frequently, and scrapped when they were no longer economical to repair. Today both models are greatly in demand, their diminutive size, huge charisma and their practicality making them appeal to classic car buffs and historic commercial vehicle fans. They’re great promotional vehicles for small businesses, and enormous fun to take to classic car events or even use on a day-to-day basis. The Pickups are even rarer than the Vans. They were produced in small batches, some 58,000 being built between 1961 and 1983 (as opposed to more than 500,000 Mini vans), and to find one today, particularly one in such good order as our sale example, is really unusual.
Powered by Mini’s 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine from the period, ‘CMS 440N’ is driven through a four-speed manual transmission. The exterior’s green bodywork extends into the load bed, as well as the cabin’s exposed panels, with matching green piping along the edge of the black vinyl seats. The two-seat interior retains its original features, with the classic, clean design that characterises Minis from the time.
With a single registered owner from new, ‘CMS 440N’ has been in the same hands for almost 50 years, used as a commercial vehicle to deliver bikes and scooters for a company based in Cheshire. It became part of a deceased estate, and was bought by a classic vehicle enthusiast on the Isel of Man, where it was recommissioned. Work carried out includes an engine rebuild, new fuel tank and lines, new suspension, and paintwork, with new carpets and reupholstered seats in the cabin.
Offered for sale by the current owner, who came across the pick-up on the island thanks to family living there, this Mini has retained its original V5C, with the details of the motorcycle company that initially bought it. Showing an indicated 91,000 miles on the clock, the vendor describes all areas of the pick-up as in ‘good’ condition, covering the engine, transmission, electrics, interior, bodywork, and paint, and warns that the paintwork could be completed to a higher standard, and that there is a small leak from the water pump when hot. Otherwise, ‘CMS 440N’ is a wonderful example of a practical Mini, that would benefit from gradual work, but not much, and is ready to go without any further attention.
ESTIMATE: £12,000-£14,000
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