The Belgian Ogle SX1000 barn find

Don't tell me that all the good barn finds have been found by now. If you are determined to find a car, you will find it, or so I believe. I'd heard about an Ogle SX1000, one of just 6 left hand driven cars, that was sold new to Belgium and supposedly still there, somewhere. To cut one long story very short - I found it - in a barn. 

It's a non-runner but also a unique car, which has seen some work done to it, but which is also still mostly very original. Apart from the engine (a later 998), the wiring (a real mess), the carpeting (replaced) and the bumpers (missing) all of the parts seem to be there, with even some spares. Some minor welding has been done to the front floors, but even those still seem to be the originals. What's more: the original Belgian registration document is there, dated July 1962. I have found out some of its history yet and found that the car was sold through Jaguar dealer and Mini racer Julien Vernaeve of Ghent when new, supposedly to a doctor. The original registration is in the name of a lady, whom I still hope to track down. Were there ever any other lhd cars that were sold on the European mainland? I'm not sure but don't think so.

So... after a lot of deliberation and negotiation the car is now here with me in The Netherlands. As with genuine barn finds it was very dusty and I took plenty of pictures of it in that state. However, I gave it a wash this morning and was surprised how well it came out. Oh, that great colour is a Jaguar Bronze seen on E-types of the same era, and I think it's one of the best hues for the SX1000. So... there you go... another myth debunked and great find found! Do let me know what you think.

An Ogle SX1000 sold new to Belgium, which was hidden there until last week

Picture Jeroen Booij

A non-runner, but it seems very original to me with most of the parts there

Picture Jeroen Booij

1 of 6 left hand driven cars, it's possibly the only one sold new to the European continent?

Picture Jeroen Booij

Bumpers are missing and rear lights are not the originals but it's quite complete

Picture Jeroen Booij

The paint colour is Jaguar Bronze seen on one or two more Ogle SX1000s

Picture Jeroen Booij

Garage Viaene was a former owner, but Jaguar dealer Julien Vernaeve originally sold it

Picture Jeroen Booij

Supposedly sold to a doctor, I hope to find out more about its early history now

Picture Jeroen Booij

Interior needs work with the wiring a real mess but again, it seems complete

Picture Jeroen Booij

That's the cover to get access to the petrol tank, battery and spare wheel

Picture Jeroen Booij

Doors open and close beautifully. The SX1000 was a well developed car

Picture Jeroen Booij

Unfortunately the original Cooper 1000 engine has been replaced by a standard 1000

Picture Jeroen Booij

69 Ogle SX1000 were made and they are one of the most sought after Mini derivatives

Picture Jeroen Booij

It's not perfect and needs plenty of work, but isn't that a real beauty?

Picture Jeroen Booij