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Curated Auction

1989 Mini Thirty

At a Glance

Solid and original presentation | Subject to a 2020 recommission | One of 3,000 limited edition models | Recent tyres and 2K's worth of invoices

  • Mileage82,453
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual
  • Engine1.0-L
  • LocationSawbridgeworth

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 Min 51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£1,000

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Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Photographer and Editor

A hoot to drive, the Mini is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable vehicles of all time.

A genuinely innovative concept when released in 1959, the Mini is recognised as a motoring institution that started the trend for transverse -engined front wheel drive cars. The original design brief was to offer more than a quarter of its packaging to accommodate four adults and their luggage. It evolved into a vehicle that offered driving enjoyment and frugal running costs, straddling the class divide. The Mini continues to be served by an outstanding number of professionals and offers a busy social scene.

By the 1980s it was sold with 12-inch wheels, front disc brakes with servo assist, wheel arches and a plusher interior, the Mini was entering its final phase and marked the start of limited-run specials. Still retaining the hardy 1-litre carb-fed engine, the Thirty edition was released in the summer of 1989, and limited to just 3,000 cars.

The Mini Thirty is regarded as the best of the Anniversary Special Edition Minis and is distinguished by several distinctive features, including black leather and "Lighting" cloth upholstery, a leather steering wheel, and a Cherry Red finish with 1959-1989 decals. It comes with two keys, its handbook, an MOT till May 2025, and invoices totalling £2,000.

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

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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.

Video #2

Meet the owner

Obtained via customer who has owned the car since 2020, it has seen a detailed mechanical checkover and then gently used over the next 5 years.

Danny deals with well-cared-after cars, focusing on solid and cleanly presented examples. The Mini Thirty is no exception, and its recent maintenance and original presentation were enough for him to handle the car. He will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Danny
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

Solid and cleanly presented, it retains much of its Thirty-spec fittings.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with 12” eight-spoke minilites style alloys. They’re in excellent condition.

Shod with Aplus branded tyres, they date from 2023 and have plenty of life in them.

Bodywork

The engine bay, boot floor and wheel wells are solid. The front subframe looks good. The rear subframe and other parts of the floor pan have a sheen of surface rust but seem superficial. The area around the front jacking points/front sill shows corrosion but nothing is flagged up as an MOT advisory.

The exterior presentation is positive, with no significant damage other than a minor dent on the boot lid. The panels have a decent fit; their gaps are consistent. All doors open and close with no issues, although the driver's door struggles to stay open if there is a bit of a breeze.

We spotted an instance of under-paint corrosion bubbles emerging on the top of the offside front wing where it meets the A-pillar seam. There are some signs of age on the lowest sections of the front/rear valance and sills, overall the car presents positively.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves

Paint

The paint has a decent lustre and the unique Thirty model-only Cherry Red finish is consistent. There are a few flat spots in places and the rear nearside wing has surface marks. There are also a few minor scratches elsewhere.

There are under-paint reactions noted on the front scuttle panel and passenger door frame. The area around the nearside front side inductor has paint spidering. The car is generally free of roadwear/stone chip marks.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good shape, although the nearside rear glass panel has notable scuffing. All lights and lenses are positively displayed.

The trim appears correct for the model, with the additional fitting of front auxiliary lights. Its chrome is all in good order, with minimal signs of age. The wiper arms are in black which is correct for the Thirty model.

The seals, decals and plastic trim are generally good, with minor wear noted on the front headlamp seals and front emblem. The offside front arch needs an adjustment to the body, the nearside rear arch has a light scratch. The aerial is missing.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

The inside has been well-maintained and could be made perfect with little effort.

Seats and Carpets

The half leather/cloth seats are in good shape, with minor wear on the driver's side beading and some marks on the passenger seat fabric.

The deep red carpets and black mats look smart, all damp-free.

Dashboard

The interior is preserved as original with its correct black dials and seats. The facia displays well, with no splits, just the occasional signs of wear. The switches and dials are in good shape and all reported to work.

The interior trim, door cards and heading are in good condition and the car is fitted with rear belts.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The gear lever is excellent, the leather-rimmed Mini Thirty steering wheel has a few marks and scuffs on the rim.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

The engine pulls sweetly and shows evidence of recent maintenance.

Engine and Gearbox

The famous carb-fed A+ Series 988 cc engine starts up with a generous amount of choke and idles smoothly. The dashboard engine warning lights remained off during the cold-start process and the drive. The usual exhaust condensation soon cleared up. The car was free of fluid leaks. It starts up straight away when warm.

The engine is cleanly presented, with decent hoses and ancillaries.

The gearbox operates without any problems with crunch-free changes. The clutch is smooth without unusual noises.

Suspension and Brakes

As expected from a Mini, the ride is typically firm but free of significant thuds during the test drive

The car brakes without squeals or grinding, stopping the car in a straight line.

The Drive

Very few cars possess the unique charm of the Mini, and its mechanical positives shine through in this particular example. The engine pulls well, with no splutters or hesitancy after a few minutes of driving, always eager to work through the gears.

No exhaust smoke was noted at any point. Easy to drive but naturally, the car likes to be worked, with steering, brakes and acceleration reminding you of how cars have evolved but it's like revisiting an dear old friend. The handling is predictable and grippy, with no noises heard from the wheels when cornering.

The steering is compliant and tight, with no wobbles or unwanted noises at lower speeds. While typically noisy over 40 mph and hardly the last word in comfort, it is huge fun and Danny has not reported any issues with oil pressure or engine temperature - we left the engine running on tick-over for 20 minutes with no ill-effects

Electrics and Other

The Kenwood CD/FM player and rear side speakers are an aftermarket upgrade but were not tested.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

It was recommissioned in 2020 after an 11-year storage, with £2,000 worth of invoices and travelled around 1000 miles since.

Registered in August 1989, it appears to have been placed into storage for around 11 years until recommissioned in 2020. Since then around £2000 has been spent, mostly on sundry and mechanical aspects, including a service carried out around 1000 miles ago.

More recently in 2022, it was subject to an engine compression test and carburettor clean, new radiator, waterpump and alternator. It has its handbook, two keys and an MOT to May 2025.

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, 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 of 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 bids, 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
09-05-2024 MOT 82,332
26.04-2023 MOT 82,188
14-01-2022 Waterpump + Radiator
15-11-2021 MOT 81,909
4-11-2020 Service 81,453
13-10-2020 MOT 81,410
01-06-2009 MOT 81,343
16-06-2008 MOT 81,343
16-06-2007 MOT 81,295
16-05-2006 MOT 81,292
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Key Details
  • Model Mini Thirty
  • Transmission 4-Speed Manual
  • Reg. Date 22-08-1989
  • CC 988
  • Mileage 82,453
  • History Since 2020
  • Colour Cherry Red
  • Interior Colour Black
  • Interior Trim Leather/Cloth
  • Chassis # SAXXL2S1N20431495
  • Engine # 99HE200109628
  • Last Service 4-11-2020
  • MOT 08-05-2025
  • MOT Exempt No
  • Road Tax Exempt No
  • HPi Clear Yes - all clear
  • Former Keepers 8
  • Tyre Brand Aplus
  • Tyre Age 2023
  • # of Keys 2
  • LHD or RHD RHD
  • Visited Yes
  • Sale Type Trade
  • Key Feature Original specification
  • Vehicle Registration G696 MSO
  • Fuel Type Petrol
  • Body Type 2 door saloon
  • Auction ID 2590
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Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

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Vehicle Location

Sawbridgeworth

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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a like this is via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
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    *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 .

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    Vehicle Location

    Sawbridgeworth

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