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Curated Auction

1980 Austin Mini 1100 Special – 20th Anniversary Edition

At a Glance

9-Year Ownership, Same Family Since 2011 | Body & Mechanical Restoration | Desirable and Rate 20th Anniversary Special Edition

  • Mileage~30,776 on clock
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine1.1-litre
  • LocationBelper, Derbyshire

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

Days
HRS
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CURRENT BID£4,200
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min 51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£4,200

Introduction

Paul Wright
Professional Consigner

A 20th anniversary edition of one of Britain's most loved classics.

Introduced in late 1979 to mark the 20th anniversary of Sir Alec Issigonis's iconic Mini, the Mini 1100 Special holds a significant place in the model's history. Produced by British Leyland and sold into 1980, it was the first official factory-built limited-edition Mini.

Unlike many subsequent special editions that relied largely on cosmetic enhancements, the 1100 Special benefits from a meaningful mechanical upgrade alongside some cosmetic and interior upgrades. Under the bonnet sits the 1098cc A-Series engine, normally found in the square-fronted Mini Clubman, which gives the car noticeably livelier performance over the standard 850cc and 998cc versions.

The exterior featured a more distinctive, sportier appearance, available exclusively in either Metallic Silver or Metallic Rose. Wide black wheel arch extensions, unique side stripes along the lower bodywork, tinted glass and 10-inch Exacton alloy wheels. Inside, it saw a fitted centre console with a radio and a full instrument cluster from the 1275 GT.

This lovely example comes from an almost 9-year ownership period, during which it has received a complete body and mechanical restoration. The Mini has been in the same family since 2011.

A desirable special edition, ready to jump straight in and enjoy.

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

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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

We purchased the Mini as a project to help my son with his Rolls-Royce engineering apprenticeship.

When Paul’s wife, Sara, was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, there were always Minis on the driveway. She and her siblings all learned to drive in Minis, and it was her dad who enthusiastically maintained the fleet.

This enthusiasm carried on in the family when Paul’s son Michael wanted to become an engineer, and the car was purchased during his GCSE engineering apprenticeship; this was the perfect time to impart some lifelong skills for his engineering career.

Michael's grandad went through the basics of engines, and together they reconditioned the engine, gearbox, running gear and braking system to get the car ready for when Michael passed his test, whilst also demonstrating his keen interest in engineering, which he further progressed by working for Rolls-Royce.

Paul
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior

Being the 20th Anniversary Edition, some nice additions were included, such as the plastic arch trims, alloy wheels and tinted glass.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with the original 10-inch Exacton alloy wheels, these have been repainted silver and appear free of corrosion.

The tyres are a matching set of Falken FK-07E tyres, which all have plenty of tread remaining.

Please take the time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn or over 10 years old.

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Bodywork

The Mini has undergone a complete body restoration carried out by Mini specialists Mini Mine, in Stoke-on-Trent. This was carried out in 2012 and saw the Mini receive a full floor pan, quarter panels, wings, door skins, bonnet and even a roof! The panel fit and finish is excellent, with even gaps and level-fitting panels.

The front footwells do show some rust under the carpets.

We’ve highlighted our observations in more detail through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take the time to review all media files to assess the car’s condition for yourself.

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Paint

Finished in the original colour of Metallic Silver, which at the time the special edition had a vinyl roof (moisture had got under this and corroded it; hence the new roof). Instead of fitting vinyl to the new roof, the family opted to paint the roof in Metallic Black.

The paintwork is in excellent condition, with just the odd chip here and there in keeping with the age of the repaint.

The images are taken from a range of angles to show the car as you would see it in person, so please take the time to fully assess the high-resolution photos and videos before forming your own opinion of the paintwork.

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Glass and Trim

All of the windows are the original tinted items, with no cracks.

There are some scratches to the door windows picked up over the years from being wound up and down.

The chrome bumpers and headlight surrounds all have a bright finish with minimal tarnishing. Both the headlights and rear lights are free from damage to the lenses.

Please view the photos and video below to review the condition of the glass and trim for yourself.

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Interior

Simple and practical – what more do you need in a British classic.

Seats and Carpets

The seats retain the original material but have had the foam replaced, as this had started to deteriorate. Both door cards have been replaced, leaving an original-looking interior.

Throughout the cabin, the carpets are clean and tidy with no signs of heavy use.

Inside the boot there is a fifth spare alloy wheel, as standard, which is in good order.

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Dashboard

The simple dashboard layout is in good condition with no signs of damage.

The instrument cluster is working correctly, and the odometer shows ~30,776 miles.

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Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The original 'Special' steering wheel is in place with the Special logo, and this is in good condition, as is the gear knob, on which the letters can be clearly seen.

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Mechanics

Fully rebuilt by Michael and his grandad, the 1.1-litre engine runs like a dream.

Engine and Gearbox

As mentioned, Michael was guided by his grandad, who taught him about engines and valuable lessons in engineering.

The 1100cc fires up without hesitation, comes to a smooth idle and runs with no reported problems.

Fitted with a four-speed gearbox, this was also fully rebuilt at the same time as the engine. The gears are easily selected, and the Mini pulls as you would expect throughout the range with that unique Mini sound.

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Suspension and Brakes

On the road, the Mini is just as nimble as you remember all those years ago; there are no knocks or bangs coming from either corner of the car, and it comes to a stop in a straight line.

The braking and suspension were fully gone through during the restoration, with any needed parts replaced.

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The Drive

Thanks to its 1098cc A-Series engine, the Mini 1100 Special delivers a noticeably more spirited driving experience than many of its siblings. The combination of lively performance, lightweight and legendary go-kart-like handling makes it great fun on twisting roads, while its compact dimensions and responsive steering ensure it remains equally at home in a city environment.

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Electrics and Other

All of the switchgear, minimal as it is, is working correctly and looks in good order, with no excessive signs of age on the buttons.

The original radio is in place, but one of the knobs is missing; you could easily 3D-print a replacement.

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History and Paperwork

It’s easy to see just how extensive body restoration costs can be from the detailed invoices.

Most of the invoices presented with the Mini are for the bodywork restoration carried out by Mini Mine. These detailed invoices show just how much time, effort and money went into restoring this desirable 20th anniversary Mini.

Unless you have the know-how, skill and space to carry out such a restoration, most of us would probably end up taking the car to a specialist to have the work done. Doing it this way, especially nowadays, comes at great expense, which makes this Mini perfect for the next custodian, as it is simply ready to jump in and enjoy.

We’ve carried out our usual seller checks, including photo ID and V5 verification, as well as a history check on the vehicle. This is a professional HPI check that will highlight if the car has previously been stolen, recorded as being involved in an accident or has any outstanding finance. Please note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We’ve summarised our own view of the car based on information provided by the seller; however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video each car in high-resolution detail so you can make your own assessment from the comfort of your home. So please sit back, have a cuppa, and take your time reviewing everything in this listing.

Viewings are also welcomed on all our listings. Please get in touch to arrange a suitable time; we just need to speak to you first and receive valid photo ID before confirming.

If there’s anything you’re unsure about, no matter how small, please ask the owner in the comments section before placing your bids, as bids cannot be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car, just like at a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
21.09.2020 MOT 30,548
30.04.2019 MOT 30,487
18.09.2017 MOT 30,404
26.09.2016 MOT 30,402
28.09.2015 MOT 30,388
12.06.2013 MOT 27,317
2012 Full restoration completed
26.07.2007 MOT 21,955
Key Details
  • Model Mini Special 20th Anniversary
  • Transmission Manual
  • Reg. Date 14.01.1980
  • CC 1098
  • Mileage ~30,776 on clock
  • Colour Metallic Silver
  • Interior Colour Blue
  • Interior Trim Fabric
  • Chassis # XC2S1N00684705
  • Engine # -231705
  • Restored Yes
  • Engine Rebuild Yes
  • MOT No
  • MOT Exempt Yes
  • Road Tax Exempt Yes
  • HPi Clear Yes
  • Former Keepers 6
  • LHD or RHD RHD
  • Visited Yes
  • Sale Type Private
  • Owned ~8 years, 9 months (Family owned since 2011)
  • Key Feature 20th Anniversary
  • Vehicle Registration BMR 608V
  • Driver’s Side Right
  • Fuel Type Petrol
  • Body Type Saloon
  • Auction ID 3776


    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £4,200
    £
    Countdown Timer
    0 Days
    0 HRS
    0 MIN
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    Auction Ends Thu 9th Jul at 7.50pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  7
    £4,200 bid by Thales196808.07.26 @ 17:45:25
    £4,000 bid by EBXL508.07.26 @ 11:29:58
    £3,250 bid by Bully307.07.26 @ 19:13:29
    £2,500 bid by Thales196805.07.26 @ 13:56:12
    £2,300 bid by tjs01.07.26 @ 14:52:11
    £2,000 bid by Thales196826.06.26 @ 16:29:33
    £1,000 bid by hoppo125.06.26 @ 15:12:39
    SEE MORE BIDS SEE MORE BIDS
    3063
    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    4 Comments
    RalfandBart
    RalfandBart
    9 days ago

    Hi Paul – please can I come and view the vehicle this Friday? Thank you

    Woody160
    Woody160
    12 days ago

    Hi, few questions the text and photos don’t address for me; there are no clear photos showing the sills, what sills are fitted to the car? The heel board below the rear seat appears unusual in that it’s two colours but also looks somehow like it’s in two parts, disjointed towards the driver’s side? Unclear what’s going on there or why there’s a colour change. Blurb mentions anything brake and suspension was addressed but lacks specifics. Are the front brakes still drums? Were the suspension cones swapped out? Are the arms still standard and non adjustable?

    MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a Mini like this is £165 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 Summer 2026.

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    Vehicle Location

    Belper, Derbyshire

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