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HomeMediaPaul McCartney’s custom Mini Cooper hitting the auction block

Paul McCartney’s custom Mini Cooper hitting the auction block

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Hey, Jude, do we have some news for you: A Mini Cooper made specially for and formerly owned by Beatles legend Paul McCartney will be up for public auction next month.

The historic Mini will be offered by Worldwide Auctioneers during its September 1 sale at the National Auto and Truck Museum in Auburn, Indiana. 

The Mini was customized when new by Harold Radford & Co., a name long-aligned with the iconic British brand.

Beatles manager Brian Epstein’s company ordered four Minis — one for each band member — in 1965. Radford customized three of them, including McCartney’s. His Mini Cooper S De Ville by Radford is finished in California Sage Green paint.

The car has a Webasto sliding sunroof, Aston Martin taillights, woodgrain interior accents, upgraded bucket seats, Radford’s signature twin driving lights mounted around the grille, and a slew of other custom touches.

The Mini was exported to the United States in the 1970s by then-owner Bill Victor, who often took it on drives in the Hollywood hills. The car has changed hands a few times since then and was cosmetically restored in 2001.

For the past 16 years, McCartney’s Mini has resided at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum and, on occasion, has made appearances at shows and concours events.

As far as the other Beatles Minis go, George Harrison’s is owned by his wife and Ringo Starr’s is in private hands. No one is certain what happened to John Lennon’s car.

An estimated sale price was not listed, but something says you’ll need more than love to snag this one.

If you’re in the market for a Beatles car, but are more of a Lennon fan, his 1979 Mercedez-Benz 300TD station wagon will be offered at the same sale. Ordered at Yoko Ono’s request by Lennon’s personal assistant, the car is thought to be the final one used by Lennon.

Lennon's car is also believed to be the first Mercedes-Benz Turbodiesel Estate Wagon imported into the United States. | Worldwide Auctioneers photo
Lennon’s car is also believed to be the first Mercedes-Benz Turbodiesel Estate Wagon
imported into the United States. | Worldwide Auctioneers photo

It was parked in the garage of the couple’s apartment complex, The Dakota, when he was murdered.

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Carter Nacke
Carter Nacke
Carter Nacke is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He began his career at KTAR News 92.3 FM in Phoenix, the largest news radio station in Arizona, where he specialized in breaking news and politics. A burgeoning interest in classic cars took him to the Journal in 2018. He's still on the hunt for his dad's old 1969 Camaro.

1 COMMENT

  1. I am a mechanic, I worked at The Guild of Automotive Restorers, in Bradford ON.
    I was the only mechanic that knew how to make the 1979 MB D wagon run..
    It had been stored for many years.
    I was also involved in the sale of the car to a man in NY..
    But the sale of the car was delayed..when 911 happened.
    I have the show card for that car..with many pics of John, Yoko, the boys, etc..
    The display sign..shows ageing..is about 3ft x 4ft ..

    Dave Woollings

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