Mini Number 1 and Mini Number 5,378,776

[BruceK]

Yesterday I saw the first Mini, registration number 621 AOK built in the first part of 1959, and the very last Mini to come down the line at Longbridge more than 41 years later in October 2000.

I was surprised to see the first Mini is in a bit rough shape - paint has some scratches and I could see some rust starting to come through on the A-panels.   I think the museum is telling a little fib about the car always being in BMC hands - I heard they had to track the owner down and buy the car back in the early 60s when it was needed for a photo op with the millionth Mini which had just come off the line.

[MPlayle]

What are they saying about the silver MINI behind the red/white last "classic" Mini?

[BruceK]

What are they saying about the silver MINI behind the red/white last "classic" Mini?

They didn't come right out and say it was the first "new MINI" but it definitely is very early in the production.  I took a photo of the VIN that I planned to check on when I get back home on a website that shows build BMW dates (whose URL escapes me now).