In automotive history, a few cars could be considered landmark vehicles. Ford’s Model T is one, as is the original Volkswagen Beetle. Also falling into that category would be the Austin Mini. It was a triumph of packaging efficiency and could offer sparkling performance with a bit of tweaking and tuning. This 1965 Mini 850 was recently found languishing in a garage, a spot that it had occupied since 1986. It is now a roadworthy classic, and with an upgraded engine, it should provide an entertaining driving experience. It needs some work, but its next owner could perform the required tasks as time and circumstances allow. Located in Merrick, New York, you will find the Mini listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has hit $5,200 in a No Reserve auction.

When it first appeared, the Mini caused a sensation. While many people had applauded the VW Beetle for its engineering and packaging efficiency, the Mini took that concept to a new level. While barely more than ten-feet in overall length, these little gems can comfortably seat two full-sized adults and a couple of children. They will carry four adults in a squeeze, although the limited rear-seat legroom can make it slightly uncomfortable for occupants in that area. To place that into some perspective, the Beetle was considered a small car with a similar seating capacity. However, it did so in a package around three-feet longer than the Mini. The seller purchased the Mini from an estate, with its elderly previous owner parking this classic in his garage in 1986. There is no indication why the deceased previous owner parked the Tartan Red classic, but the appearance of rust may have been the motivation. Externally, it is visible in the tops of both front fenders and some small spots in both door bottoms. The door issues are nothing to worry about because the owner includes a pair of rust-free ones in the sale. The buyer could potentially patch the fenders, although, with high-quality reproductions available for around $300 each, the prospect of fresh steel would be tempting. The floor centers are solid, although the outer front footwells and inner rockers have some problems. Once again, this should be easy and cheap to repair, with replacement sections selling for around $100 per side. As long as the area around the front sub-frame mounts has no issues, whipping this bodyshell into shape should not be complicated or expensive.

While the Beetle featured a rear-engine/rear-wheel-drive configuration, the Mini was the polar opposite. It was by no means the first production car to feature front-wheel-drive, but it was the packaging that lifted it above previous offerings. By transversely mounting its four-cylinder engine and placing its transmission beneath, its creators allowed a larger passenger compartment than buyers expected in a vehicle of this size. The lack of components like a driveshaft meant that the Mini also featured flat floors, which helped improve occupant comfort and legroom. This little British classic rolled off the line equipped with an 848cc engine that would have produced 37hp. Thanks to it tipping the scales at a mere 1,378lbs, that engine propelled the British classic through the ¼ mile in 21.9 seconds. Our feature car isn’t numbers-matching, but it could potentially improve on those performance figures. The previous owner ditched the original motor in preference for a high-compression 998cc unit with twin carburetors. The engine upgrade should push the power output to a dizzying 60hp, slashing the ¼-mile ET to 19 seconds. That still may not sound particularly impressive, but trust me when I say that it feels considerably faster thanks to the driver’s proximity to Planet Earth. Besides, pure straight-line performance is not the Mini’s greatest strength. These little classics come into their own when pointed at twisting roads. They offer excellent grip and maneuverability, and that’s when they are at their satisfying best. After sitting for more than three decades, this Austin needed some TLC, and the seller delivered. He replaced the entire hydraulic systems for both the brakes and clutch, bolted on a new exhaust, and added new tires. It seems that it was worth the effort because the Mini runs and drives well for a vehicle of this vintage. That leaves potential buyers with the opportunity to enjoy the car immediately and tackle the restoration work as time and circumstances allow.

The word “luxury” was a relative term for equipment levels inside 1960s Minis. This car is a Super Deluxe, and while that tag may bring visions of power-assisted everything, it amounted to little more than some additional gauges, a heater, and a dome light. It is upholstered in Red vinyl that complements the painted surfaces and should be considered serviceable. The driver’s seat may have a split, but if so, it may be repairable. There is no carpet, but with replacement sets selling for less than $300, addressing this shortcoming is unlikely to break the bank. The parts are available to return this interior to a factory-fresh state, with trim kits (including carpet) selling for around $1,300. Although this is unlikely to be a mega-bucks classic once the restoration work is complete, spending the money may be worth it if the next owner seeks to achieve the maximum return on their investment. Besides, there’s nothing like slipping behind the wheel of an immaculately presented vehicle of this vintage because it feels like stepping back in time.

If you have never driven an original Mini, you have missed out on one of life’s great motoring pleasures. These little classics are about as close as you will ever come to slipping behind the wheel of a road-going go-kart. While this car isn’t the more desirable Cooper derivative, it is still a car that is worthy of restoration. With its rust problems addressed, it could potentially command a value of $20,000 if the next owner completes the work to a high standard. It won’t appeal to all classic enthusiasts, but this Mini is worth a closer look if a British icon sits high on your Wish List.