On The Auction Block: 1961 Mini Cooper.

Welcome to the next chapter of "On The Auction Block" where I show you some of the unique rides up for sale at the 2011 Palm Beach County Auction. This time, we have a legendary British classic that's been around for ages, and even in its current BMW owned form, proves that you don't need to go big to go fast.

This of course, is a 1961 Austin Mini Cooper, fully restored to it's former glory. The Cooper was the top-of-the-line, go-fast version of the Mini line up. It's definitely a legendary car that has seen everything from the tight turns of British race tracks to the winding closed off roads of the Monte Carlo Rally.

The handling of the car was excellent as the wheels were placed as close to the front and rear of the car as possible. People who have driven it describe it as being a 4 seat go-kart.
Of course it's the size of the car that most people talk about. Its hard to tell, even in the top picture, how small it is. It's smaller than the newer car by BMW, yet despite being 6 foot 2, i actually fit easily in this car. It is of course still in it's right-hand-drive configuration and was a bit disorientating at first having the gear stick on the left.

I've had a new Cooper S in my family and it was a great car. Hopefully one day I'll get to drive one of these originals......just not on I-95.