A genuine piece of British motoring history is up for grabs as the ASD Minim prototype/press demonstrator/brochure car has come up for sale in Bexleyheath, London. Just six of these cars were made by engineering mastermind Bob Egginton in Maidstone between 1984 and 1990 with this being the very first. Although it was a really clever design, the car was put down by the press and didn't become a success hoped for by Egginton. When I visited him in 2010 he told me: “I could not persuade them to understand what we were trying to do. This was meant as a cheap car that could be driven by all members of the family. In those days they were absolutely power-mad, it had to have 7 litres at least. The Minim was surprisingly roomy, you could put a week’s shopping in the boot at the front.”
Remarkably, 'Q142 JKO', the car's registration as it was seen in a huge number of mid-1980s motoring magazines, was converted to left hand drive at one stage, while the odometer shows a mileage of under 300. Genuine? Fact is that it is up for grabs. Come on guys, do yourself a favour and go for this unusual piece of motoring heritage instead of any other Mini. There are so many of those while this is genuinely unique. It deserves to be saved! See the ad here.
UPDATE 14 June 2018: Sold for £465.00, now offered for sale again with the new owner for £1,750. Hang on, price now increased to £3,500.
Remarkably, 'Q142 JKO', the car's registration as it was seen in a huge number of mid-1980s motoring magazines, was converted to left hand drive at one stage, while the odometer shows a mileage of under 300. Genuine? Fact is that it is up for grabs. Come on guys, do yourself a favour and go for this unusual piece of motoring heritage instead of any other Mini. There are so many of those while this is genuinely unique. It deserves to be saved! See the ad here.
UPDATE 14 June 2018: Sold for £465.00, now offered for sale again with the new owner for £1,750. Hang on, price now increased to £3,500.
'Q142 JKO' is the original ASD Minim prototype/press demonstrator/brochure car
Picture Ebay
It's been converted to left hand drive at some stage but could be converted back easily
Picture Ebay
Chassis plate shows number M86/001 - that's Minim number 1 which dates back to 1986
Picture Ebay
Interior is simple but appears to be complete, but dear, this car needs some tlc!
Picture Ebay
Odometer seems to show less then 300 miles. Could that be from new..?
Picture Ebay
1000cc engine has to be the original unit. It looks similar to when it was new
Picture Ebay
Here is the body buck being fabricated in ASD's workshop in Maidstone in 1984 or '85
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
And the car's chassis seen at the same place here. Note Lotus-like construction
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Here, the car is just finished, still at ASD's workshop but now already registered
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Bob Egginton back at Unit J2 in Maidstone. Note that ASD sign is still there!
Picture Jeroen Booij
The car shown for the first time after completion. The press was harsh to it
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Pictures being made for the ASD Minim's brochure in 1986. It was marketed as a family car
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Plenty of room in the boot at the front for a week's shopping! That's Egginton's wife and daughter
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
The very rare brochure shows the same car that is now offered for sale
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
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