Many of us in the MINI community also appreciate the classic cars. There are plenty of enthusiasts out there that have both a MINI and a Mini in their garage and have become experts in tuning restoration. For those who are truly hard core, they could have a chance to own the world’s oldest unrestored Mini.

The chaps at Jalopnik found this little gem via The Sun:

The early production date of this 1959 Austin Mini Se7en De Luxe Saloon is why instead of sitting under a tarp in someone’s backyard this car will be crossing the auction block at a Bonhams’ collector car auction next Monday. Pre auction estimates of $19,000-$24,000 for a car in need of significant rust repair that hasn’t run in several years can also be attributed to the fact this is the oldest unrestored Mini in the world. Three of the seven Minis believed to be built before this car are still known to exist, but all of them have been restored.

It’s definitely not in great shape, but the heritage of a car this old, as an example of a brand as iconic as Mini, is still a very special thing indeed.

[Source: Jalopnik]