This early, floor-start example of Alec Issigonis’ mould-breaking small car has recently emerged from a major restoration - its rebuilt original 848cc engine has subsequently covered just 100 miles.

The body is freshly painted in the same Almond Green colour it bore when it left the factory, while the new light green and grey interior trim is also to original specification, and the Mini rides on period-correct 10” cream-painted steel wheels shod in Falken Sincera SN-807 tyres.

A nice, and rare touch are the two wicker baskets housed under the rear seat – a little-known option back in the day.

The vendor describes all aspects of the newly-restored car as ‘excellent’ and informs us that ‘305 NYA’ has been in the same family ownership for 20 years – not the more usual father-to-son story, however, but son-to-father! The enthusiast pair – the fifth and sixth keepers - have compiled two ‘huge’ history folders’.

The Heritage Certificate shows that the matching-numbers vehicle rolled off ...