MINI has completed the full restoration of a 1959 Austin Seven at the company’s next assembly plant, VDL NEDcar in the Netherlands. It’s here that MINIs will roll off the line in 2014 – the second time in the company’s history. The 1959 Austin Seven, which is one of the first of the line was built in Holland, is now up and running, and MINI’s decision to restore it is a case of squaring the circle – allowing the company to mark its heritage in this country.

The 1959 Austin Seven has a special history: it has chassis number 983, making it is one of just 30 cars built in the first year of Dutch production by Car Companies, a firm that assembled left-hand drive Minis for the local market using components sourced from the UK. VDL NEDcar employees undertook the restoration of one of the first Dutch Minis, and one of the oldest Minis in the world. It was assembled in 1959 at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland and was completely rebuilt by a team of five. Minis were produced in the Netherlands from its year of introduction until 1966 the importer JJ Molenaar’s Car Companies in Amersfoort assembled over 4000 Minis. The full story of Amersfoort can be read elsewhere.

More information and photos on AROnline:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/news...uilt-original/

MotoringFile:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/11/...he-road-again/