Early US Export: 1960 Morris 850 Mini
The BMC Mini, initially available under both the Austin and Morris nameplates, was an instant hit when it arrived on the market in England in mid-1959. Exports to the US began in early 1960 where it was sold as both the Austin and Morris 850, but it never took off and was withdrawn in 1968 after about 10,000 were sold. Like other everyday British cars, the original Mini proved to be more successful north of the border in Canada where it was sold through 1980. This early American export example, manufactured in January 1960, is available here on eBay in Leander, Texas. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Larry D for the tip!
This early Mini is believed to have last run in the late 1980s and has spent the past year and a half sitting in a climate-controlled garage in Texas. Before that, it sat in a garage in Denver after being pulled out of a barn in South Dakota. Though not rust-free, the body is in solid condition for a more than 60-year-old British car, the worst areas being some scaly rust on the floors and perforation in the front wheel wells. Though now finished in a faded red, there is plenty of evidence of the original Old English White that it wore when it rolled off the production line on January 27, 1960, as per the included heritage certificate. The body and engine numbers also match this documentation and photos of the tags and stampings are included. Tires appear to be new as they still have stickers on them.
Under the hood sits the original 848-cc BMC A-Series engine, fed by a single SU carburetor. Though it has not been started, it is said to turn freely by hand. There is no mention of the side-mounted radiator and cooling fan which are both missing. A potential buyer would want to check to see if this and other parts are included in the sale.
These early Minis had a minimalist interior with a single centrally mounted speedometer and integrated fuel gauge, pull cords to open the doors, and sliding front windows. The missing floor covering exposes the floors which again have an abundance of rust pitting but no obvious rot. All upholstery is present though it is stained. As with all other early Minis, it has the long “magic wand” shifter that remained in place until a fully-synchronized transmission was introduced across the range. The seller notes that as an early 1960 car, it has certain features which did not last long but does not specify what they are. Perhaps a Mini expert could weigh in in the comments? 
The buyer will get a clean Texas title, and with just under three days left to go, bidding sits at $3200 with no reserve. With so few American-market Minis available would you want to restore this one to original condition or modify it with the vast array of go-fast parts available? Regardless of what you choose, this could be an affordable way to get into the Mini scene.
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Comments
The mini 850 was very popular in Canada in the 1960 and into the 1970 s. They were everywhere due to their low price tag,cuteness,and dependability. Used ones did not sit very long on the used car lot in Canada. I drove one and they were like a good sports car,lots of fun on the curves and open highways!
Oh aye, Cooper S steels. Tyres’ll be 165/70x10s…
Nice’n’sticky but the 850s are really sloooow! Stick a bigger engine in it.
I love these things. But seems kinda high for a non runner.
Ir sold for over $6000.
I think the magic wand stayed on in the 850 after the Cooper 997 & the 1070 S were introduced, with the remote shifter also acting as another engine steady rod. As I recall the only thing that did not stay on was the oil pressure light, and the water shields, inside the front fenders, that covered up the door hinge bolts or nuts.
If this little mini were in the UK, it would be more than double that price by now. Thats a bargain.
There’s a good chance that a lot of the bids are bogus, half of them are 2 feedback. What a PITA it is to sell something on ebay these days, Nice to see a real mini. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
My first Mini!! Or its near-twin. The first one sold in Anchorage AK was to people I knew, a red Morris. I remember the first time I rode in it, with the son of the family one Sunday night after church. Some of our friends thought they’d prank us by picking up the back end … and discovering all of a sudden that it had front-wheel drive! I got to drive it a few times, too, and got a tow one sub-zero morning when my Fiat 500 didn’t wasn’t to start. Took about half a mile at the end of a rope, which we promptly dubbed “mouse to mouse resuscitation.” The following spring they traded in the car at the Anchorage dealer, and I happily traded the Fiat in for it, and kept it until I’d gotten discharged from the Air Force, flown home, and then come back broke enough to have to sell it. Got $100 cash for it … There was another Mini later, a Countryman woodie-wagon that was barged to Seattle and driven to California, then after other trips up and down that coast and changes in relationships out to Nashville, and farther along sold to a Kentucky family as a restoration project … I would have another, if I could afford it, but I think I’ve missed that boat.
Yeah about all I can afford is the Tamyia plastic kit. On a good day :)
Not long after we moved to SoCal in 2000, there were several people I think around Santa Barbara and then one young fellow here in Pasadena who were bringing in Minis from Portugal. Our guy eventually got a fairly good-sized space in an actively automotive stretch, and at one point had what amounted to my Countryman minus the wood, and of course a 1275 under the bonnet. I think he was asking around $4000 for it, but the once and future Mrs. O has decreed a maximum of three cars, which we had. Anyway, I think either Portugal ran out of cars or the CA DMV flunked too many of them on legal points, and that poor car sat alone for a month or two and then disappeared.
I remember hearing the story of my dad and his friend who owned the BMC dealership in Ottawa. ONT Canada driving down to Montreal to pick up one of the first Minis in Canada in 59 or 60,right off the boat,then driving it back to Ottawa, He eventualy traded it on a 651275 cooper s,a Morris by the way.