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Curated Auction

1971 Morris Mini K (Kangaroo)

At a Glance

Rare Australian 'K' Model | Long Ownership | Interior Re-Trim

  • Mileage~67,377 (on clock)
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine1275cc (changed)
  • LocationExeter

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

CURATED AUCTION

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CURRENT BID£1,000
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£1,000

Introduction

Jacob Boodrie
Professional Consigner

Marketed as "a great leap forward", the Mini Kangaroo is a rare sight in the UK.

Built at the Australian British Motor Corporation factory in Zetland, New South Wales, using 80% locally sourced components, the Morris Mini K was advertised as "The great leap forward". The K was offered in two body styles: a 2-door saloon and a 2-door van. It featured distinctive wind-up windows and swivelling quarterlights with Mk I-style external hinges.

Powered by the then-new 1098cc (1100) engine, it boasted a 25% increase in power, leaping (hence the ‘K’ for Kangaroo) to an impressive 50bhp, delivering that power to the front wheels via a 4-speed manual gearbox.

The current custodian, Sophy, has enjoyed ownership for the past ~26 years - she has done her utmost to keep this Kangaroo as original as possible, sourcing rare and sought-after parts from Australia while making a few tasteful modifications along the way. This car is one of the last to leave the factory as production ran from March 1969 - August 1971, Sophy told us her birthday is 27 July 1971.

This listing was written from information supplied by Jacob after meeting Sophy the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Sophy has been the proud owner of this Mini K for an impressive ~26 years.

Sophy has thoroughly enjoyed owning her Mini K over the past ~26 years - she first purchased the car in Australia, where the Mini was still relatively rare at the time. When moving to the UK in 2004, Sophy managed to ship her Mini K in a storage container along with her other personal belongings. Upon arrival, Sophy had work carried out to make the car road legal in the UK, ensuring it remained as true to the original 'K' model as possible.

To celebrate her and her beloved Mini K’s 40th birthday, Sophy had White Pacifica marine upholstery fabric fitted throughout the cabin, along with tasteful FLI Audio Integrator 3-way speakers discreetly installed under the rear seats.

The car has been garaged throughout Sophy's ownership and has received both mechanical and cosmetic care over the years. However, due to a lack of use, Sophy has now made the difficult decision to part with her cherished 1971 Mini K.

Sophy hopes to find a new custodian who will care for the car as much as she has, and she will be available to answer any questions about the car in the comments below.

Sophy
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior

Swivelling quarter lights with Mk I-style external hinges are just some of the many subtle features that set this Mini K apart from the British market models.

Wheels and Tyres

The 10" Minilite wheels, finished in silver, look great on this example and enhance the car’s sporty appeal. During our visit, the wheels appeared well cared for, with no obvious damage to the spokes. However, we did notice that two Minilite central hubcap badges were missing.

The wheels are fitted with Falken tyres at the front which show some light ageing on the sidewalls. The rear wheels are fitted with Yokohama tyres which appear to be in great condition with a good amount of tread remaining.

Bodywork

The bodywork of this Mini K is in good condition for its age, with all panel gaps appearing to align well. During our visit, we didn’t spot any major dings or dents. However, there are some very light areas of bubbling on the cowl panel, bonnet, offside door, and front offside wheel arch. We also noticed some damage to the bodywork underneath the swinging rear number plate.

We've provided more detailed observations through our high-resolution images and videos. Please take the time to review all the media files for a comprehensive view of what’s on offer and to assess the car’s condition for yourself.

Paint

Originally finished in Savannah Green, the paintwork has even coverage across each panel. While we noticed a few small areas where the colour does not match exactly, the custodian explains that the original Savannah Green paint was difficult to match, and some areas have been repaired in Almond Green, which is a very close alternative. This is most noticeable on the nearside B-pillar when viewed up close.

Glass and Trim

The glass on this Mini K is in great condition, in line with the car’s mileage. During our visit, we didn’t notice any chips, cracks, or discolouration. The window seals, which have been replaced, also look good and align with the car’s overall condition.

The chrome bumpers, door handles, and window surrounds are all in good condition. However, we did notice some slight dings on the front chrome bumper grille.

Once again, we've captured high-resolution images and videos to allow you to assess the condition of the bodywork for yourself.

Interior

Fresh and durable interior finished in marine white leather throughout the cabin.

Seats and Carpets

The seats have been reupholstered in white marine leather, it is the best colour match to the original upholstery, giving the Mini K a fresh and hard-wearing interior. They have held their shape very well over the years, as you would expect from a carefully cherished car.

A similar story applies to the door cards, which have been replaced with original ones, and the black carpets, which remain in great condition. For a more detailed view of the cabin, please take a look at the extensive media provided.

Dashboard

The dashboard is finished in black vinyl and features four dials in front of the driver.

The dashboard in this Mini K shows no signs of major damage or scuffs, and no warning lights were displayed during our visit. The odometer showed a reading of ~67,377 miles.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

A sporty Luisi black leather steering wheel is fitted, and it remains in great condition.

The black gear stick is also well preserved.

For a closer look, check out the image gallery for more details.

Mechanics

A lively engine combined with a lightweight body makes every journey incredibly fun and exciting.

Engine and Gearbox

Sophy reports that this car is now on its third engine. When she purchased the car, the engine had recently been replaced, and once in the UK, Sophy had the 1,275cc engine fitted along with a single-carburettor configuration. On the day of our visit, we started the car from cold, and it performed well on the road—the engine pulled nicely and ran without fault.

Sophy reports that the car starts from cold with no issues and drives well, with its smooth manual gearbox powering the front wheels. Take a look at the mechanical video to see the car starting from cold, driving around, and for a closer look underneath the Mini K and the engine bay.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension appears to be in good condition, providing a smooth journey on the sweeping Exeter roads.

During our short drive, the car felt just as you’d expect for a Mini from this era, coming to a stop effortlessly.

The Drive

The Mini K offers an extremely fun and enjoyable driving experience. Sophy has loved owning this car over the years, initially using it as a daily driver before it became her fun weekend getaway car.

The Mini fired up the first time with no issues to report. However, Sophy notes that the car doesn’t perform as well in cold weather, which is sometimes expected for an older Mini.

On the road with Sophy, the car felt tight, with plenty of power to navigate the roads.

Electrics and Other

We didn’t test all the electrics during our visit, but Sophy reports that, to her knowledge, everything is functional and operational, aligning with the car’s overall condition. It features a stereo unit, FLI Audio Integrator 3-way speakers fitted under the rear seats, and two immobilisers (one electronic and deactivated by a fob added by Sophy when she bought the car - required by the Australian insurers, one mechanical and in the car when it came into her possession).

History and Paperwork

This is a rare opportunity to own a charming 'K' Kangaroo model, kept as original as possible and now ready to be enjoyed.

The Mini comes with 10" Minilite wheels, a spare tyre, its original jack, a workshop manual, a cover, original door locks, and its original clear glass indicators. The larger white and yellow GB number plates ‘MWV 238J’ are sold with the car, along with the UK registration ‘CWU 307J’, which was the closest match Sophy could get to the original Australian registration number 'CWU 307'.

Take a look at this history and paperwork media to see the previous MOT reports, servicing and parts this Mini Kangaroo has received over its life.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
21.07.2022 MOT 67,284
06.12.2019 MOT 67,213
16.08.2018 Service 67,152
14.08.2018 MOT 67,079
30.07.2013 MOT 66,990
21.06.2012 MOT 66,924
29.06.2011 MOT 66,711
15.05.2010 Service -
14.05.2010 MOT 65,979
07.07.2009 Service 65,509
08.06.2009 MOT 65,509
26.03.2005 MOT 63,747
27.07.1999 Service 63,000
07.07.1999 Service -
25.07.1993 Oil & Filter change 37,624
13.03.1993 Oil & Filter change 36,127
- New Engine 32,400
27.01.1972 Service 1,078
Key Details
  • ModelMini K (Kangaroo)
  • TransmissionManual
  • Build Year1971
  • UK Reg. Date08.04.2005
  • CC1275cc (changed engine)
  • Mileage~67,377 (on clock)
  • HistoryPresent
  • ColourSavannah Green (566-12970)
  • Interior ColourWhite
  • Interior TrimMarine Leather
  • Chassis #Y6S2S112609
  • MOTNo - Exempt
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • HPi ClearYes - All Clear
  • Former Keepers0 (UK)
  • Tyre TreadGood
  • Tyre BrandFalken/Yokohama
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~26 years
  • Key FeatureRare 'K' model
  • Vehicle RegistrationMWV 238J
  • Driver’s SideRight
  • Fuel TypePetrol (E5)
  • Body TypeHatchback
  • Auction ID2410


    Auction Bidding

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    Auction Ends Thu 27th Feb at 7.10pm
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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a Mini K like this is £153 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Winter 2025.

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    Vehicle Location

    Exeter

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