1978 Leyland Mini Van, 850 CC. Registration number YEL 847S....

Hammer

£6,100

1978 Leyland Mini Van, 850 CC. Registration number YEL 847S. Chassis number XKV1 522393A. Engine number 145377.
The original Mini is considered a British icon of the 1960s with its space-saving, front-wheel drive layout, allowing 80% of the car's floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage and was voted the second most influential car of the 20th century, behind the Ford Model T. The distinctive, two-door vehicle was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis and was manufactured at Longbridge and Cowley plants. The Mini Mk. I had three major UK updates; the Mk. II, the Clubman and the Mk. III. Within these were a series of variations including an estate car, a pick-up and a van.
The potential for a commercial version of the Mini was an obvious route once it was realised that the distance between the front and rear sub-frames could be changed easily. The wheelbase was increased by 4" thus increasing the overall length by 10" and making its 46cu. ft. more useable than its sibling, the A35 van, also produced at the Longbridge plant. The van was produced from 1960 to 1982, built on the longer Traveller chassis but without side windows, it proved popular in 1960's Britain as a cheaper alternative to the car as it was classed as a commercial vehicle and as such carried no sales tax. A set of simple stamped steel slots served in place of a more costly chrome grille.
This example is an older restoration that has seen little usage in recent years, checking the DVLA MOT records, in 2015 the mileage was 68,363 and since then it has increased only by some 1,000 miles. There are no records of what happened during the restoration but both subframes appear to have been replaced, as well as a replacement petrol tank and it has had a recent service.
Sold with the V5C, it is now MOT and tax exempt.