SOLD! Mint does it again…’66 Austin Mini Cooper Update
More information from the Connecticut seller – 1966 Austin Mini Cooper 850 in very nice condition. Original 997cc twin carb engine is shelved. Left hand drive. Excellent yellow paint with black roof and black interior. Excellent chrome. No rust or accident damage. 850cc engine with single SU carb and 4 speed gearbox. Tool kit roll. Alloy wheels with good rubber. Many, many spare parts included in sale – engine and gearbox, extra head, orig red and grey front and rear seats, 2 extra grills, original steel wheels and hubcaps, 2 extra doors, trunk lid, windows, stock steering wheel, electrical parts, suspension parts, and more plus factory manuals and books. Asking $11,000 OBO. Contact Mint direct at michael@mint2me.com.
The seller has provided additional information on the MGB we featured on Saturday – Nice original example with beautiful original floors. Not a restored car but one that has been well maintained and has escaped the usual ravages. Excellent BRG paint done 15 yrs ago. Black interior in great shape with new carpets. Recent Vredestien 165×14 tires on powder-coated early MGB steelies. Also has early grill retrofitted. Recent stainless exhaust and soft top. Runs well with excellent clutch, gearbox, brakes. Engine bay is clean with alloy valve cover. A 20 year owner, always garage kept and stored winters. A $11,000 asking price OBO. Contact Mint at michael@mint2me.com
One of our favorite Elvis movies is Blue Hawaii. Elvis is seen driving a red MGA in a good portion of the early scenes in the movie. MGA legend has it that Elvis liked it so much he bought it. It is now part of the permanent collection of Elvis cars at Graceland. The MGA is the quintessential British sports car. And the 1600 is one of the nicer versions. It has 78 hp and disc brakes up front. 
Donald Healey and Nash-Kelvinator CEO George Mason met on the Queen Elisabeth, going from the United States to Great Britain. Healey was returning to England after his attempt to purchase engines from Cadillac, but GM declined his idea. Mason and Healey met over dinner and a production plan ensued during the remainder of the voyage. 
The Twin-Cam – aka Twink – introduced in 1958, produced an impressive 108 hp @ 6,700 rpm. But all was not rosy in the Cotswolds. There was a problem with the engine at sustained hi-speed leading to a succession of catastrophic engine failures. The Twink was discontinued in favor of a larger displacement motor. Well, there is good news and more good news for any Twin-Cam owner. They are very rare and desirable with approximately 2100 cars built. And these cars were specially equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes and real knock off wheels. 
