1967 Austin Mini Cooper with 4800 Miles Found in Connecticut

A 1967 Austin Mini Cooper with just 7700 kilometers, or 4800 miles, on its odometer was offered for sale in late fall 2021. The car was discovered when a client of a Fairfield County, Connecticut, classic car dealership began downsizing his collection.

The Mini was purchased new in Germany in 1967, with documents supporting its provenance. It was shipped to Boston later that same year and remained in storage for 55 years. The owner reportedly kept it clean, started it yearly, and drove it only a few miles.

Original Condition and Details

Unlike a typical barn find, the car was in near-showroom condition with mint interior and paint. The owner of the local dealership, who authored the Hagerty report, noted several original details. Pen markings on the inside of the door hinges, used by factory installers, were still visible. Small pieces of the original plastic seat wrap remained under the seats.

Some modifications were made over the decades. These included quick-release knobs for the front grille, an aftermarket tachometer, and an upgraded Smiths temperature gauge. The generator may have been rebuilt, and the locking steering column was a standard feature for German-market Minis of the era. The tires were replaced but are now 30 years old, as shown by their date codes.

Mechanical Recommissioning

After purchase, the car was removed from long-term storage. While the hydrostatic suspension only needed to be pumped up and the brakes required a simple check, the fuel system demanded significant work. The original carburetors were rebuilt.

The fuel tank had been kept nearly empty, which caused rust and pinholes. An original OEM tank was installed, along with a new fuel sender unit and fuel pump. All fluids were changed, cracked or worn hoses were replaced, and the Mini received a full tune-up and a new battery.

Driving a Time Capsule

The owner reports the car now runs great. Having owned other classic Minis, he finds driving this locally provides an amazing sense of what a nearly new 1967 Mini Cooper felt like. He writes, "It is amazing to feel what it must have been like to drive an almost-new 1967 Mini Cooper."

He believes the Mini should be in a museum but strives for a balance. He is in the camp that classic cars should be driven, so he uses the car sparingly while being mindful of keeping the mileage low. The car remains a carefully preserved time capsule, now back on the road.