1979 Austin Mini Cooper 26296 Miles Yellow Hatchback 1.3 liter 4-cylinder Automa

1979 Austin Mini Cooper

26,296 original miles. Beautifully preserved English market Mini Mark IV. Rare automatic transmission. Excellent condition throughout, runs and drives very well, extremely entertaining to drive. The most fun per pound possible!
This bright yellow Mini was imported to the US several years ago and given a few slight tweaks, but largely remains in factory spec. The charming Mini look is undiluted and the vivid yellow paint is in fantastic shape with a shine that is deeper than its reasonable price would suggest. The shape is pure 1960s cool but this is definitely a high-visibility little car. Fit and finish are remarkably good for an affordable economy car and there’s no resisting the happy little Mini “face” up front. The chrome grille, bumpers, and large round headlights are a throwback to another era, but they work especially well here. On the other hand, body-colored mirrors, some black stripes on the beltline, and the fender flares pull it into another decade. The glass has been tinted to give it a bit of a modern look and the traditional three-element taillights are big and easy to see, although it’s not like anyone’s going to miss this little guy going down the street.
The sporty gray and blue striped bucket seats add to the Mini’s eager disposition. The upholstery is original and in fantastic condition, although we suspect the carpets have been replaced at some point. The big steering wheel makes the Mini easy to maneuver and since it was sold around the world, the gauges are located in the center of the dash to facility both left- and right-hand drive models. Those beautiful Smiths gauges cover all the important vitals and as we mentioned, the 26,296 miles showing on the odometer are actual—this Mini has led an easy life. There is no radio and secondary controls consist of some knobs and switches just below the gauges, which, in typical British fashion, are completely impossible to decipher. This Mini is rather unusual in that it is equipped with an automatic transmission, but before you tut-tut the autobox, please take it for a drive. This Mini is responsive and quick, with downshifts served up right when you need them and offering a high gear that makes it an easy 65 MPH highway cruiser. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! There’s remarkable packaging that gives even back seat passengers reasonable space and the boot is neatly trimmed with a matching black mat with yellow piping.
The 1.3 liter inline-4 doesn’t seem like a lot, but remember there’s not much car to move so performance is entertaining. No, it’s not like a modern sports car or anything like that, but it’s eager and doesn’t mind revving a little bit, and the performance is such that you need not lift for most corners, making the Mini incredibly fun to hustle around. It still inhales through its original heavy-duty air cleaner and the side-mounted radiator looks odd but works well enough. A few dress-up items, including a chrome valve cover and a few yellow accents like the plug wires and fan give it a slightly custom look, although there are no real modifications. It starts easily, idles nicely, and has a nice 4-cylinder bark that is a large part of the cars fun-to-drive quotient. It’s been properly maintained but with only 26,000 miles on the clock, there’s never been any need for serious work. Just get in and enjoy!
Unfortunately, the Mini is too small to fit on our lift, but everything underneath is as clean as the top, with solid floors and no structural issues or rust repairs in the past. The car has never been hit or bent, so the structural elements are straight and solid, and the critical areas in the rocker panels and trunk are in great shape. The suspension retains its supple yet capable feel and for a little car, ride quality is remarkably good. And one of the big virtues of a small package is less weight, which means brakes can be smaller yet just as effective and the suspension clings to the pavement with tenacity that would make bigger, more powerful cars jealous. 12-inch Minilite-style wheels look awesome with relatively fat 165/60/12 Yokohama radials.
Everyone loves the Mini. This car will make you a celebrity everywhere you go, but only other Mini owners will know the joys of flinging one of these little cars around in town. With a cheerful demeanor matched by its bright colors, this attractive high-quality Mini offers a great combination of fun, utility, practicality, and economy, a combination that’s tough to get in a collector car. Climb in and start having fun immediately with this car, you won’t regret it a bit. Call today!
Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.

• Condition: Used
• Make: Austin
• Model: Mini
• SubModel: Cooper
• Type: Hatchback
• Trim: Cooper
• Year: 1979
• Mileage: 26296
• VIN: XL2S1N668462A
• Color: Yellow
• Engine size: 1.3 liter 4-cylinder
• Power options: --
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Automatic
• Drive type: Hatchback
• Interior color: Gray
• Options: --
• Vehicle Title: Clean
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