'434 NWL' The First Mini Ever?

What was considered to be the only surviving pre-production prototype Mini (seen here with it's then long term owner, the late Bernard Ferriman) which supposedly pre-dated '621 AOK'. Was this really the oldest surviving Mini and just where is it today?

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Mini
• BMC
• Austin
• Morris
• British Leyland
• Austin Rover
• Rover Cars
• Longbridge
• Cowley
• 434 NWL
• Bernard Ferriman
• Noel Edmonds
• TV-AM
• Breafast TV
• Anne Diamond
• Jimmy Greaves
• Henry Kelly
• Derek Jameson
• ITN

[mab01uk]

This Mini was last heard of in 1999 when it was sold at auction for £2975 Hammer Price (inc premium) and last taxed in 1988.

Thanks for uploading and sharing, Taffy.

[theoriginalwallace]

Hopefully it still exists! DVLA records as follows: The vehicle details for 434 NWL are: Date of Liability 01 03 1988 Date of First Registration 08 05 1962 Year of Manufacture Not Available Cylinder Capacity (cc) 848CC CO2 Emissions Not Available Fuel Type Petrol Export Marker Not Applicable Vehicle Status Unlicensed Vehicle Colour WHITE Vehicle Type Approval Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle 6 Months Rate £68.75 12 Months Rate £125.00

[1959miniregister]

Really chassis number 140 re-numbered to 98 when it was sold in 1962. Reshelled into a leter shell, where abouts now not known. Not a prototype at all just the 40th normal production mini built.