​

For use in the balmier parts of the world, BMC  built a small number of prestige cars in the shape of a most elegant ‘beach wagon’. Cars of this kind, like the Fiat Jolly cars made by Ghia, had been featured at Turin Motor Shows for many years, and, by definition, had neither doors nor windows. Protection from the sun, however, was afforded by either a metal canopy or, like the Surrey, by a ‘roof on top’ made of canvas.

In the Mini version of this theme, the Chief Stylist, Dick Burzi, himself of Italian parenthood, was given a free hand and came up with an entrancing and most elegant little car of which 16 were made for the use of hotels de grande luxe who use them to carry customers from the bar to the beach. Sadly, the project never really took off, so all that remains from this styling exercise is a a very small number of strange looking Minis.

​

This is the story of the original prototype constructed in the experimental department  in Longbridge  in early 1961.

​

The prototype was imported to Greece in the early 60's by shipping magnate Basil Mavroleon. The car was stationed at the Vouliagmeni Yacht Marina and was used as a "tender" to the family yacht "Radiant II" that was moored there.

The car was subsequently presented as a gift to one of his captains that lived in a northern suburb of Athens. He cherished the car and took good care of it. He also repainted the car white and the interior light blue.

Following his death in the late 90's the car changed hands a couple of times, was sighted nearly abandoned in northern Athens until it ended up in a scrapyard.​​

​

By sheer luck, I happened to spot the car there and bought it on the spot, saving it from being crushed and recycled.​

​​LOST OPPORTUNITY