Two Rare Minis Unearthed After Years in Garage
In a surprising turn of events, two rare Mini cars were recently uncovered after being hidden away in a garage for over a decade. The discovery was made by Jonny Smith, host of The Late Brake Show, who stumbled upon the cars while exploring an abandoned property. What made this find even more remarkable was the fact that trees had grown in front of the garage doors, blocking access to the vehicles.
The two Minis, one a 1991 model and the other a 2002 model, had not seen the light of day for at least 14 years. Both cars were in remarkably good condition considering the length of time they had been neglected. The 1991 model still retained its classic charm, while the 2002 model marked the transition to BMW-owned Minis.
The sole owner of these two Minis, a woman named Margerate, had not laid eyes on the cars for a decade before Smith’s visit. The garage doors were completely obstructed by trees, vines, and rubbish, making it impossible to open them without first clearing the debris. With the help of Margerate’s friend Alan and some gardening tools, Smith was able to clear a path to the cars.
Despite the garage roof caving in on one side and years of neglect causing weather damage and animal ingress, the Minis were surprisingly intact. Covered in cobwebs and mud, with vines even growing inside the engine bay of the 2002 model, the cars were in need of some serious cleaning and restoration. However, both cars were found to be in relatively good mechanical condition, with the old ’91 Mini even managing to start, albeit somewhat poorly.
Looking ahead, the fate of these two rare Minis remains uncertain. Will they find new owners who will restore them to their former glory and get them back on the road? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure – these iconic cars deserve to be driven and loved once again.
Stay tuned for updates on the progress of the restoration of these two classic Minis. And if you have any tips or information to share, feel free to send them to tips@thedrive.com.
