A LITTLE HISTORY…
Customizable Mini Coopers coveted by the greatest.
John Lennon, Peter Sellers, The Beatles, David Bowie, The Monkees, The Beach Boys and even the Queen of England have succumbed to the charm of the Mini Classic, presented for the first time more than 60 years ago now!
Guy Harold Radford opened a shop in London in 1948. Previously, Radford was a Rolls Royce-Bentley dealer and started with these prestige cars, but also made Aston Martins transformed into shooting brakes. This is also why the Radfords were painted with colors from the Rolls Royce catalog! However, it was from 1963 that Harold Radford became independent and made prototypes such as the Cortina Ogle GT or one of the Shelby Cobra Daytona. He also diversified into accessorizing larger series cars such as the Citroën DS Break, Vauxhall Cresta and especially the Mini Cooper.
Met during the pre-production of the series “Pink Panther”, it was Peter Seller who became one of his very first clients by asking him to customize an Austin Mini Cooper S with the steering wheel on the left, for the first episode. Thus was born the “Mini de Ville”.
Luxury rides for London's elite.
From 1963 to the end of the 60s, most of the British big names were seen driving a “Mini de Ville”. Everyone wanted one!
This car had a phenomenal impact on VIPs such as movie stars like Peter Sellers and Steve McQueen, famous musicians such as John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison (who had one painted in the psychedelic colours of the Beatles' "Magical Mystery" tour). Fashion icons like Twiggy and Mary Quant also had theirs. These Minis were very expensive but also very different from those you find almost everywhere else, which explains why they are so coveted.
The chic and wealthy people of the time wanted something more original than a classic Rolls Royce or a Bentley. With what Radford offered, his ultra customization and the list of accessories available as options, we can better understand the success that his Minis had! Tinted and electric windows, sunroofs, leather wedge seats and even small opera windows for the discreet star...
Our model: a very rare “Mini de Ville” Radford Hatchback Cooper S mk1 1275!
This 1275 Radford Mini De Ville Cooper S 1964 was Radford's show and press car!
Imagine the Rock Stars, VIPs and Royals who sat in this car!
It was the world's first "Hatchback", but more importantly the Radford demonstration and press car! It was featured on television, in magazines and newspapers and purchased from Harold Radford by Peter Sellers.
It doesn’t get any better than this! This 1 Mini Cooper S Mk1275 1964 “Radford Mini de Ville” is truly one of a kind. Equipped with all of Radford’s bespoke accessories as a show and press car, it was featured on TV, in magazines and in newspapers throughout the Swinging Sixties.
