1960 Morris Mini 850

YEAR: 1960
MODEL:  Morris Mini 850 (Mark I)
VIN#: 30866
ENGINE: Originally 850cc inline Four-Cylinder 
Now 1,275cc inline Four-Cylinder
CURB WEIGHT: 1,330 LBS.
TOP SPEED: Originally 72 MPH, now more than 110 MPH
PRICE WHEN NEW: $1,300-1,700
NUMBER BUILT: 116,671
BUILD DATE: 1960
COLOR: RED (originally White)
OWNERS: Lorri & Ken Payne (since 1992)
LOCATION: Simpsonville, South Carolina
NiCKNAME: Little Red

This is an early 1960 that would have been delivered with an 850cc engine and 3 syncro gearbox.  It is number 30,866th of the total 116,671 Minis built in Longbridge in 1960, making it one of the earliest Minis built and the oldest one on display in the museum.

Ken said “We pulled it out of a field in Mauldin, SC in 1992.  Lorri had a very clear vision of how she wanted her Mini to be.”  It has a tuned 1,275 engine with full syncro gearbox, a remote shifter, and 3.4 final drive.  An alternator was fitted in place of the original generator.  They have the original engine in storage. The suspension has been refreshed.  The front seats are MK1 recliners. The disc brakes are from the Cooper S cars. 

Lorri adds: “Ken went to look at it and said, ‘It’s a basket case, you don’t want this car.’” Lorri recalls. Fearing she would buy it, she refused to see it. When Lorri found out it was an early model, she insisted on getting it. As a birthday present, Lorri’s mom gave her a check to cover the car’s price. Sadly, her mom passed away from a terrible car accident and didn’t see the finished car. Lorri says. “The Mini was the last thing she gave me. She’s special, but she’s extra special to me.”

Ken and Lorri have taken the car on too many drives and tours to count and continue to drive and enjoy the car for thousands of miles each year.