ENTERTAINING AND FUN!!! 998CC ENGINE W/ 4 SPD MANUAL, GREAT PAINT, RUNS SMOOTH!

Description

With vintage looks and handling, this late-production 1991 Austin Mini is a great opportunity to own a great example of the car that started it all. Essentially every front-wheel-drive compact car that followed duplicated the Mini's groundbreaking design, although very few, including its modern namesake, have ever managed to duplicate its combination of endearing personality and go-cart-like handling.
Mini production continued for decades in England mostly because the cars were consistently popular. As a result, this unusual light blue Mini is instantly recognizable anywhere it goes. And while you may think the current Mini is small, this one is positively tiny, which is the whole point. Similar to other British makes, Minis can rust in the most demonic ways possible, but since this one benefits from decades of development and instant-collectable status, it has never seen inclement weather and has been touched up as needed. The doors fit nicely, the hood gaps are tight, and the trunk seals up nicely, all suggesting a high-quality car that has always been properly cared for. New rubber seals were used throughout, and the slender chrome bumpers fore and aft look great, particularly with the cool protective grilles over the headlights. I think you'll find that when you see this car in person, you'll have a hard time resisting it, which is all part of the charm.
Inside, the diminutive external dimensions are stretched to their limits in every dimension, resulting in a surprisingly comfortable passenger compartment, particularly for front seat occupants. Contemporary cloth upholstery forms the foundation of the utilitarian passenger compartment, but neatly fitted carpets and matching door panels soften the look and offer reasonable levels of noise and heat insulation. The steering wheel is, of course, on the right side thanks to its British origins, and there are big, round gauges ahead of the driver. And that's one place you'll see updates that reflect this car's 1990s production: a more modern steering wheel, standard 1990s Euro-style gauges, and modern switchgear that's a bit more familiar than the early cars. A 4-speed manual transmission sticks up directly from the transmission tunnel and offers decent action and positive gear selection. In back, two passengers will be perfectly happy for a cross-town jaunt, but if you're going farther than a few miles, it's best used for storage, although the trunk itself is surprisingly roomy.
The engine is a gutsy 998 cc inline-4 that runs superbly. The car has a current MOT in England and it documents the car's mileage as authentic, and obviously it's been properly serviced. Ever since their debut, gearheads have been squeezing more performance out of the diminutive Mini's various engines, because the unique chassis with its conical rubber springs practically begged for more horsepower. This one, however, remains quite stock and doesn't really seem to need more power, because it's just a joy to drive. It starts easily, idles well, and pulls the little car around with genuine enthusiasm. The suspension offers a reasonable compromise between ride and handling, with the conical springs offering a modest amount of damping, so the shocks themselves don't need to be too stiff to do a good job. The low center of gravity combined with having the wheels pushed out to the very corners of the body give it instantaneous reflexes, a feeling enhanced by the Minilite wheels and relatively fat 145/70/12 radials. Yes, those are 12-inch wheels!
Minis are beloved for many reasons, but perhaps most of all for their combination of utility and performance. Call today!