1985 Austin Mini City Auto
(Featured on 22nd September 2010)
Make: Austin
Model: Mini
Year: 1985
Registration: C563 RMX
Mileage: 5,100
Sellers original description:
A truly exceptional and rare 1985 Mini 1000 City Automatic. Effectively one Lady owner from new and just 5,100 (five thousand one hundred) genuine miles. Totally original and retaining all of its factory applied panels, glass and paint finish. Always garaged and maintained the car is presented in absolutely outstanding condition.
Since the day Sir Alec Issigonis penned the now classic lines of what was to turn out to be the Mini it has become such a part of so many people’s lives. From Celebrities and Royals to learner drivers alike, every one loves a Mini.
CLASSIC MINI-It has become an Icon and Worldwide British Legend and here is an opportunity to own one of the very best original examples available.
C563 RMX
25 years ago next month on the 25 October 1985, the first owner of C563 RMX, a lady in her seventies, travelled the 5 miles from her home in Orpington to Austin Rover dealers Sargeant and Collins Ltd of Bromley to collect her new car. A mini fan since owning her first one in the sixties she had ordered her new Mini City e with automatic transmission at a cost then, according to the sales invoice present in the history file, of £561.25.
C563 RMX was cherished, always garaged used very infrequently by its new elderly owner. The free 1000 mile service was not carried out by the supplying dealer until August 1986. By 1990, according to the M.O.T for that year, C563 RMX had covered just 3,455 miles. By then though the owner was of failing health and the 1994 M.O.T shows just a further 900 miles had been covered in four years. Around this time the owner moved to live with her daughter and the car was confined to dry storage.
Sadly the owner died shortly after moving and, in accordance with the law, title of the Mini was transferred. The daughter’s husband became the new keeper although he never actually used the car but continued to keep it in storage. He did however run the car on private ground every month to keep everything turning and changed the oil annually.
Since it was new this gorgeous Mini has been dry garaged, cherished, cosseted, and maintained. It is today presented in totally original condition. It has never received any paint rectification, other than a little carried out by us as detailed below, and retains its factory finish.
In Twenty five years it has covered just 5,100 miles in the hands of just one elderly lady driver.
Summary:
It is 10 years since production of the classic Mini ceased, however, there are still a few original extremely low mileage examples to be found (although they tend to be later cars) but, as their popularity continues to grow, they are getting harder to find and as such are highly sought after.
C563 RMX is an extremely well cared for, effectively one owner, exceptionally low mileage, outstanding example of this British classic presented in show condition and with minimal work could well be a Concours contender.
It is the right colour combinations, has its original paint, has the lowest mileage we’ve seen on a Mini this age and is totally unmolested.
This car will, of course, be of real interest to collectors, enthusiasts and investors, but it is also an extremely practical Classic Mini for every day use - without the hassle of gears.
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