Corgi VA01316 Austin Mini Seven Deluxe, Farina Grey, The 4th Oldest Surviving Mini

Austin Se7en De Luxe, Farina Grey, A-A2S7/108: The Fourth Oldest Surviving Mini

Gladys Hobro bought XLL 27 new in 1959 and kept it until June 1986 but only used it when she and her family returned home to Bognor Regis from Khartoum, Sudan, where they were based. Second owner, Chichester-based David Gallimore, never started his intended restoration and offered the 30,041 mile car for sale in 2011. It was purchased, in the original but very rusty state modelled here, by three Mini enthusiasts from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, Richard Bremner, Bryan Smart and Robert Lancaster-Gaye. In 2012, having proved the car’s production history, significance and originality, they consigned it, unrestored, to Bonham’s auctioneers. They’d initially feared losing their £10,000 investment so were amazed when it sold for £40,250.

Researched with the help of the BMIHT Gaydon.

Vanguards

A series of die-cast 1:43 scale model automobiles spanning half a century of motoring in Britain. Each model carries a detailed, authentic livery and comes complete with a certificate detailing the history of the vehicle.