For 30 years a Mini Clubman lay in the network of tunnels beneath the Longbridge factory but now it has been salvaged, which makes it the last ever mini to leave this famous site, and it is being auctioned at the forthcoming Silverstone Classic Sale.
This iconic car, that used to be driven around the sprawling Longbridge plant, was secretly dumped in the tunnels by unknown workers after it suffered damage, thought to have been caused by a storage container falling and landing on it.
Photos of the famous lost mini emerged a few years ago however, and after a long search a former factory worker saved it when he got permission to remove it back in 2012, just before the tunnels were set to be filled in.
Now the ‘The Longbridge Tunnel Mini’ is being offered without reserve by Silverstone Auctions at its sale on Saturday 27th July at Silverstone circuit.
Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “Without doubt, this has got to be one of the most fascinating cars we’ve ever secured for auction.
“It made international headlines when it was rescued from underneath the factory and has caused a fair amount of controversy in the Mini community, as some people would have preferred it was left in the tunnels as a hidden memorial.
“However, now that it’s been recovered we’re absolutely thrilled to offer it for auction at the Silverstone Classic Sale and it goes without saying that we expect it will attract a lot of attention.”
Anyone interested in owning a very important slice of British automotive history should remember though that having been abandoned for many decades, suffering wounds along the way and without any sunlight, that this Mini Clubman 1275 GT needs much love and attention to return it to its former glory!
For more information about the Silverstone Classic Sale on Saturday 27th July, visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.
