- An original Dutch car, just 3 owners from new
- Presented in svelte Kensington spec, the best equipped SPI variant
- 36.525 warranted km's from new
- Finished in vibrant Nightfire Red over Tan full leather interior
- Accompanied by all original accessories and documentation, without exception
- Presented in near mint condition
The Mini “Kensington”:
By 1990, the Mini became the sole model to still use the A-series engine (with the ingenious in-sump transmission layout) within the Rover Group rostrum and was upgraded with a single point injection (SPI) system from 1991 onwards. SPI Mini’s were only available with the 1275 cc engine variant and produced a considerate 53 hp and - most importantly – 92 Nm of torque. Over the years many iterations and special editions of the classic Mini saw the light of day, but few were as lavishly equipped and tastefully specified as the “Kensington”. Only available in Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany with a select choice of exterior shades: Nightfire Red, British Racing Green and Charcoal, all complemented by a subtle contrasting pinstripe along the side of the car. A Tan full leather interior was compulsory regardless of exterior paint choice.
The Kensington’s main differentiation was evidently the gorgeous full leather interior with a specific type of luxury seat - bespoke to the Kensington only. Further particulars are the burr walnut dashboard with 3 main dials behind a full leather steering wheel and last but certainly not least an electrically operated panoramic Webasto roof.
The Kensington is a very chique and svelte iteration and the absolute top-of-the-line in the SPI model range as a farewell to the Mark VI, before the VII was launched in late ’96. Great, unmolested (!) examples are a rare sight which makes us ever-so excited to be offering this great example for sale.
This example:
The car we’re proud to be offering here is a late production Kensington, initially registered on the 24th of September 1996 to its first Dutch owner. This original Dutch Mini was registered under PP-SV-83 in ’96 with which it is still suited in 2022. As an original Dutch car from new, it has uninterrupted provenance indicating just 3 owners from new. With the first owner keeping it until October 1999, the second seemingly attached to it as it was kept in possession until April 2018, the last owner kept hold of it up until 2022. The mileage is a warranted 36.525 km’s from new, it is very rare to find a classic Mini with such low and most importantly warranted mileage. “PP-SV-83” is believed to have been supplied and serviced by official Rover concessionaire “Autobedrijf van Dam” in ‘s-Gravenzande, in the vicinity of the Hague. Subsequently the Mini was serviced by Oostdijk in Monster, also close to the Hague according to original service records.
The spec of this Kensington is simply stunning, finished in vibrant Nightfire Red over a Tan interior this Mini just pops, especially in the sunlight. The overall condition of this motorcar is near mint, with very few imperfections in the paintwork as well as the interior. The ever-so important underside of this Mini is unwelded and in absolutely original condition throughout. It has been preserved with a black anti-rust coating, as many cars of this age have been in the past, fair to say it has done its job well! Mini’s of this age are notably prone to rust and corrosion, we’re pleased to say this example has stood the test of time greatly as it is rust-free by all means. Technically as sound as a classic Mini can be, no crunching synchro meshes, engine firing up immediately and idling dead-straight (evidence of a great set-up injection system) this example leaves nothing on the table before taking it out and enjoying it as intended.
It goes without saying all ancillaries are working perfectly as per original, with the electronically operated roof working flawlessly. A nice “improvement of life” feature are the electronic windows which have been fitted, probably by the supplying dealer when the car was new as this was an after-market option in period.
All original ancillaries and documentation are present including two complete sets of keys with keyfobs, jack and accessories in the original bag, owner’s manual, service manual, warranty supplement and even the original registration document form 1996. The car will be sold with a fresh MOT and is probably one of the nicer Mini’s out on the market today.
