Extremely Rare! 86 Austin Mini CHELSEA. UK-spec, RHD. Only 58 on UK Roads!

Collector's Dream! - Extremely Rare 1986 Austin Mini - Chelsea Edition

Only 1,500 were made over 30 years ago, now ONLY 58 are on the road in the UK!!!

(https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/austin_mini_chelsea)

Purchased in Yarm, North Yorkshire, UK in May 2015. Shipped to the US in June 2015 by US Government contract shipper at the conclusion of military assignment in the UK.

Driven as daily driver (on Maryland highways!) for about two months when we first returned to the States. Not afraid to do 70mph! Since then, it's largely been garaged, with occasional outings with the local Mini club or to show it off at the ice cream stand. I haven't had the time to restore it the way I wanted to, and have to give up the garage space for a new car. I decided to sell it rather than put it outside in the winter.

Nearly 100% original! This is a REAL UK manufactured '86 Austin Mini Chelsea, not a re-registered Innocenti or newer modeled with a purchased "vintage" registration. Many "Classic" Minis sold in the States are from the late 1990s or 2000s, with doctored or transferred registration documents to "appear" to be original. Of one vehicle crushed by U.S. Customs, a 2014 Jalopnik article stated:

• "The seizure was part of a partnership between the U.S. and Great Britain called "Operation Atlantic" designed to stop the importing of illegal cars. As gearheads well know,cars younger than 25 years old are barred from being imported into the U.S."

On the exterior, it's in decent shape cosmetically. There is a typical amount of rust for a 31-year-old car. Most of the original paint and all of the special "Chelsea" markings are still on the car. There appears to have been some bodywork done on one of the rear quarter-panels and door, and a bit under the windshield. It's rusting where these cars are known to rust (top edge of roof, door sills, scupper (under windshield), etc., but is in A LOT better condition than many examples from the same period.

The bumpers and grill have been replaced with chrome rather than "Nimbus Grey." They can be easily replaced with bolt-on parts if desired. Likewise, the original mid-80's style alloys were replaced with updated 12" alloys. (Fear not! Parts can be ordered from many US or UK suppliers) (minispares.com, usa.minisport.com, 7ent.com, eBay, etc.)

The Interior is in excellent shape for the age. It still has the original special-edition seats, trim, etc. The steering wheel, dash, and instruments are original, with a couple of extras added, but easily removable. Includes a working Blaupunkt UK-spec stereo that was installed at some point. Also has a "cigarette lighter" charging port added for your electronics.

Trunk (or "boot") has a removable carpeted deck and fuel tank shroud to protect the "full-sized spare" and battery, provide sound insulation, and improve the look. It looks good, but can be pulled right out for the original look. Also includes the original jack kit.

Mechanical: Overall very good mechanical condition! Strong, rebuilt original 998cc engine with internal power modifications by previous owner (British mechanic). Starts and runs like a champ. Has a straight "Cooper" style center exhaust fitted for added zip, but can be restored to original style.

Documentation includes:

•Prior to shipment, required conformance with US Customs regulations was verified. (Greater than 25 years old, original VIN, chassis, engine matching with as-manufactured configuration.)

• Letter from certified UK inspectorverified engine, gearbox, chassis all matched the V5C (UK vehicle registration document.)
• Pre-and-post shipment US Customs inspection
• Multiple MOT test certificates from 2010 on documenting annual inspections. 2010 inspection indicates ~92k miles, 2015 inspection ~98k miles.
• Original owner's manual (copyright 1983)
• Haynes Austin Mini Repair Manual
• List of upgrades and repairs completed. Undated, but less than 8k miles ago
• 1990 "Corgi Classic" Austin Mini Chelsea die-cast scale model

Currently registered in Maryland with a Historical Vehicle plate.
Also selling locally and on other sites, so I reserve the right to end the auction early if the right deal comes along.
Pick-up only in Howard County, MD (21075). Plan to complete sale at Howard County Police "Online Purchase Safe Zone" in Laurel or Ellicott City.
Though I can't vouch for the accuracy, these are the notes I received from the previous owner:

1986 Austin Mini Chelsea 998 A-plus

Engine

• Dave Walker full-engine and gearbox rebuild.

• MiniSpares Stage 1 Kit with full RC40 Centre Exhaust,

• Brand-new SU 1-1/4 Carburetor with standard red jet plus injection-grade fuel hoses,

• Kent Cams 270' Fast road Camshaft With AE Hepolite Hardened steel valve lifters,

• Minisport Cooper 'S' Forged Rockers with replaceable copper bushes,

• Minispares Rally-spec hardened steel Rocker Shaft,

• Cylinder head Custom ported and gas-flowed for drivability and Mid-range torque,

• New OE-spec Points, Condenser and Ignition Coil (ignition timed to 10' optimum advance for 97RON fuel, can accept 95RON Unleaded)

•Starter motor rebuilt

Front Suspension

• New OE-spec Pagid brake pads and discs,

• All Ball-joints and bushes replaced with original-spec (use molybdenum grease only)

• Front tie-bar bushes replaced with Poly-bushes to correct wandering under braking

• New Rubber Cone springs replaced with associated ball-joints included

• New front wheel moly-slip coated.

Rear Suspension

• Radius arm bushes adjusted

• New Shoes and Cooper 'S' Drums,

• New wheel bearings, moly-slip coated.

• New handbrake cables

General

• Rear wiring harness c:ornpletely rebuilt and waterproofed

• New front headlamp wiring circuit to boost lamp output and reliability

• Corrected immobiliser circuit for simplicity

• New Fuel tank sender unit calibrated to show correct fuel level

• Rebuilt cabin heater with new modernised heater matrix and washable dust filter in intake

• New door seals silicon bonded to door apertures

• Rear Window seals silicon-bonded to apertures

• New wing-mounted aerial and cable,

• Complete clutch and brake fluid change with DOT 5.1 fluid,

• Serviced every 3000 miles With Valvoline VR1 20/50W engine oil + premium oil filter.