Check out this classic car heading to auction next month that’s sweeter than a marmalade sandwich.
It’s an immaculate-condition 1968 Mk2 Mini Cooper that’s barely been used in its 55-year lifetime, covering a meagre 21,000 miles since it rolled off Austin’s Longbridge assembly line.
It is being offered to the highest bidder on 25 August – and any potentially collectors considering raising their paddle will need to bear in mind its original owner.
It was first delivered to the TV producer of Paddington Bear and the auction lot even includes a stuffed Paddington made by Jeremy Clarkson’s mother, Shirley.
The classic car that’s sweeter than a marmalade sandwich: This gorgeous 1968 Mini Cooper Mk2 was first owned by the producer of the Paddington TV series. It is set to go under the hammer next month
The Snowberry White and Black Cooper’s first owners were Graham Clutterbuck and his wife Vanna.
As well as Paddington, Clutterbuck was the producer of other iconic hit children’s TV shows including The Wombles and Moschops.
After Graham passed away in 1988, the Mini was retained in the family name by Vanna and was in her ownership for a total of 42 years.
But in that time it was used relatively sparingly, mostly because it spent the first four decades of its life in London.
The Snowberry White and Black Cooper’s first owners were Graham Clutterbuck and his wife Vanna
As well as Paddington, Clutterbuck was the producer of other iconic hit children’s TV shows including The Wombles and Moschops
The auction lot even includes this stuffed Paddington, which was made by Jeremy Clarkson’s mother, Shirley
The car was retained at the couple’s home in cosmopolitan W1 Curzon Street and later Chester Square in Mayfair.
According to the auction house selling the stunning Mini, it was ‘used for dashing about, running errands, even a European jaunt to Rome through France, and, according to Vanna Clutterbuck, would often give author, Michael Bond CBE, and his creation Paddington Bear a lift around swinging London!’
Set to go to the block at Silverstone Auctions’ Silverstone Festival sale next month, the charming Mini and its fascinating provenance link to Paddington Bear and the Wombles is likely to appeal to many collectors.
The pre-sale guide price is £25,000 to £30,000, though it could go for even more than that.
The pre-sale guide price is £25,000 to £30,000, though it could go for even more than that
The car’s 998cc engine is said to run well today and the car drives superbly, which is testimony to its regular services and the fact it had been always garaged in the hands of its original keeper
Classic car valuations experts at Hagerty say a pristine car with similarly low mileage but without the famed connections would be worth up to £38,000.
‘Classic cars of this vintage often benefit hugely from such a length of single-ownership and are special because of it, often in unrepeatable condition, having been lavished with much care and love due to such a strong association,’ Silverstone Auctions says.
The Mini is sold with the Clarkson-knitted bear and an accompanying BMIHT Certificate showing it was manufactured on the 25 April 1968.
When in a London showroom, the car caught the eye of Mrs Clutterbuck, who at the time was a commercial artist.
The condition of the Mini is totally original, having never been restored
The interior is showing little sign of wear and tear and has been retained to a very high standard indeed
Graham and Vanna purchased the Mini in May 1968.
In a letter from April 2010 that is also included in the lot, Vanna outlines how she even requested for extra features to ensure the security of the vehicle in the capital, despite the fact it was being garaged overnight.
‘I always loved Minis and have owned several, travelling all over Europe mostly to & fro from Italy & France,’ she explains in the 2010 letter, when the vehicle was sold to the current vendor.
‘I bought this beautiful Mini Cooper Mark II new from the Austin dealer in Berkeley Square at the end of May 1968.
‘I asked them to put two special security switches to prevent the engine starting & avoid the car being stolen.
‘One switch is underneath the dashboard and the other is on the bottom of the steering column very low down.’
It comes with a huge amount of original paperwork, which helps to corroborate its history and ultra-low mileage.
In fact, Vanna says the only MOT certificates missing from its first 42 years are for 1971, ’72 and ’73.
The condition of the Mini is totally original, having never been restored.
In this letter from April 2010, Vanna outlines how she even requested for extra features to ensure the security of the vehicle in the capital, despite the fact it was being garaged overnight
The Mini will be sold inclusive of a huge amount of original paperwork, which helps to corroborate its history and ultra-low mileage
The auction lot adds: ‘The panel gap, interior and carpets, floor-pan stampings and fit and finish are all factory-original’.
The Mini is described as ‘a real time-machine transporting back to ’60s London and the birth of one of our beloved and most endearing British characters – and favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth ll’.
The car’s 998cc engine is said to run well today and the car drives superbly, which is testimony to its regular services, having been always garaged, rustproofed when new and further undersealed in 2000.
Joe Watts who sourced the car for Silverstone Auctions, says: ‘Classic cars of this vintage often benefit hugely from such a length of single-ownership, often in unrepeatable condition, having been lavished with much care and love due to such a strong association.
‘With amazing provenance, originality and a direct link back to the heart of Swinging ’60s London – plus having the original Paddington Bear and his creator onboard – this really is a special Mini and manages to epitomise the creative and quirky British character all in one place.’
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
