What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Tony Griffiths]

,

Tony, 

   At the risk of being pedantic my recollection of the Mini when it was introduced was that the body seams were the same colour as the body so, in my opinion, the 100 % accurate Mini is not quite !

Ken Kimber

I agree, Ken; the seams on the early cars were definitely body-colour. I don't even think they had the clip-on trim, they were just bare as-welded seams.

True - but were some "chrome" as well? The owner was waiting for the correct strips to arrive (the ones fitted are just plastic), so we'll have to forgive him. If the early cars were without them, then he's not quite correct in his detailing. When garaged (the owner's uncle was gifted the car as a debt) the seats were removed, wrapped in plastic and stored in the loft. hence, they have survived remarkably well.
The colour is unusual and was normally only supplied on export cars - from memory the owner said that only 14 others are known in that tint. Something about the basic nature of the early Minis appeals to me - rather like a '24 Chummy, I suppose.