Mini One 2001

Description:

Description from The Vendor:

VIN number WMWRA32000TB00066 is one of the very first generation MINI ONE R50’s off the production line. Pre-production MINIs started to roll off the production line on the 25^th April 2001 and “66” was registered to BMW MINI HQ at Bracknell on the 6^th June 2001. It would then have been used as a press/demonstrator car before being sold on though a MINI dealer in Teeside some 9 months later.

It is understood that there is a probability that this car is the earliest MINI ONE still on the road, and therefore should be of interest to both collectors and enthusiasts.

The vendor is the 10^th recorded owner, and the DVLA have provided the locations of the previous owners under their enquiry system. The MOT history dates back to 2005 and the current mileage can be verified by the MOT records. In 2005 the mileage of the car was 55239.

“66” has the original seating with the inverted ridge down the middle of the back rests and seat squabs, and has the original (much sought after) brake and pedal rubbers with MINI embossed on them as well as the accelerator pedal. The windscreen scuttle vents have the wider honeycomb pattern, the grille and surround are correct.

The original specification was a MINI ONE with Salt pack, and the sheet detailing the VIN number build is included with the paperwork. It has the early five speed Midland gearbox.

The car has covered just over 140200 miles from new, and has an MOT certificate until October 2022. It is taxed and insured and was driven to the sale ground.

In October 2021 it had a new radiator, new rear callipers, discs and pads, and other minor items for the MOT. The handbrake cables and exhaust were renewed in late 2019.

The paintwork is in good condition and the car is presented in Indi Blue metallic, as original.

The car is presented with two sets of keys, a non-original space saver wheel, an original handbook and a locking filler cap.

The features on this car were only in production for a very limited time, everything changed when mass production started for general supply in August 2001, with the main thrust of early sales coming with the introduction of the “51 plate” in September 2001.

These pre-production models are becoming very sought after, and this may be the lowest production MINI ONE VIN number in existence.

NB  ONES and COOPERS had different style VIN numbers so do not confuse  TB00066  with a TC 00066 (if indeed such exists!)

Extras on The Mini include:

Alloy Wheels

Rev Counter (Not included on the original Mini One Production)

Glove box

Air conditioning

Cigarette lighter

Silver interior trim

In addition, the roof was changed from blue to white and then white to blue as well as the alloys were changed from the originals to a different set and now back to the original set.

Click here to see the car with white wheels and roof.

Auctioneer’s notes:

This is a very rare car, it is worth googling “Mini One Preproduction Model”.  It makes it incredibly interesting to read. When I told Classic Car Buyer that she was coming to us, they got very excited and they said “you do not have the registration number OBL”….Y ?  I said yes. and the reply came back saying,  this is a really early press car.  Later on, their research showed that she possibly is the earliest car to survive.  Only 70 OBL’s were made and it is interesting that only the very, very early models have the ridge down the centre of the front seats.  The History File of this Mini is packed to the brim, MOT’s from 2005, DVL Ownership Search Document, VIN Decoder Information, Hand Books and  Instruction Books, The very rare clutch and brake paddle rubbers are securely stored and they are photos of them online, plus other bits and pieces. This historic piece of motoring history may be viewed, strictly by appointment.