71 replies to this topic

[coopdog]

there was a guy at mini in the bay a couple of years ago claiming he has the oldest mini van pretty sure it was a 1959 aswell??.....

[mk3 Cooper S]

Nope mid 1960 was the first prototypes

[mk3 Cooper S]

 

I nearly bought this also few months ago
http://www.ebay.co.u...=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

£4500.... Surely overpriced by 3k? 

 

Nope, not for a flat roof van. About right I thought

[minivanman1961]

Totally agree, at least £4500 for that 1961 Van.

[minivanman1961]

Production began in January 1960 Starting at Chassis Number  12101 (Austin) and 12601 (Morris) and for export 80047 (Austin) 85302 (Morris). The export models had a wooden load bearing floor in the rear!

[ChrisCityE]

Totally agree, at least £4500 for that 1961 Van.

 

Wow, I thought that paying £2k for my Van was bad (didn't have a seat, correct steering column etc)

[minivanman1961]

They really are going up in value at the moment. Once done they are worth anything between 15-20k. Indeed there was a fully restored 1961 Van up for sale recently that had been a subject in one of the specialist Mini Magazines and was selling at 25k and if I remember correctly the reputedly oldest van sold at £18,600. In general, later vans in restored condition are going for around 10k

[ChrisCityE]

Strange really - I couldn't get 14k for my Van when it was for sale in late 2013, and that was when it took a 2nd and 1st in the two shows it did. Not even a sniff of interest!

 

I would be stunned if a Van went for over £15k really - obviously the marigold was a bit different as it was apparently the oldest.

 

I don't remember seeing a later Van go for 10k, but if somebody can tell me differently I am more than happy to listen - just confirms that mine is worth what I (and BMC) believe.

[minivan60]

Hello.Interesting topic,i was looking information about early vans and found this.I have 1960 Morris van chassis number M-AV4L-69683. Left hand drive with 140kmh silver face speedo.I thought that car must be oldest in finland,most vans here are -62.

[62S]

I have 1960 Morris van chassis number M-AV4L-69683

Probably a mid November 1960 build date for that one.

[minivan60]

Thank you.it makes sence because headlamp dip switch is dated 8 60 but everything else except speedo (4410/01 with green oil light and 6 digits)been changed.It must been total rotbox in past.Engine is 1300 and it has old S brakes.The car has a "ratlook",and its been welded all over.But i like it the way it is,and it's been my daily driver in summertime ever since ive bought it.

Edited by minivan60, 14 March 2015 - 07:15 PM.

[minivanman1961]

Wow that is an interesting one that you have there! It's a great shame that so much modification has been made to your van but I am sure it would all be easily restored back if you ever wished to do so. I am thinking that 8/60 (August) date on the switch is probably spot on for the chassis number that you have given as the chassis numbers had reached 10xxxx by October 1960.

[minivan60]

I didn't realise that these are so rare.I always though that there must be plenty of them still left in the UK.Maybe i restore it in the future.Until that i just drive it and enjoy. :)

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[SilverSaloon]

sounds like i got a bargain then...  My smooth-roof '62 van was £1,500 about 2 years ago with a years MOT

[minivanman1961]

Jeez! You did get a bargain there