This mini was built on 9th November 1959 and was first registered in Birmingham on the 13th Nov 1959 under Reg No: 7 AOG. It was bought in October 2000 as a rolling body-shell with engine and trim The original registration is interesting - as three "works" 1959 minis which competed in international rallies between 1959 and 1961 also bore the "AOG" registration - 617 AOG, 618 AOG and 619 AOG. The best result by these cars was a class win and 14th place overall for 618 AOG in the 1960 Geneva rally, driven by Don and Eric Morley. Although its history is not known, the body-shell of 7 AOG also shows signs of having previously been rallied - by amateurs rather than a works team! (7AOG registration was retained by the last owner.) The current owner decided to restore the car in 1959 rally trim. This meant scrapping the 7 1/2" discs and S drive shafts that a previous owner had fitted, as these were not available in 1959. So the car now runs on original single-leading shoe drum brakes - who needs brakes anyway! A lightly modified 998cc engine is fitted, using only those modifications which were available in 1959 - thus excluding any Cooper or Cooper S parts. It has balanced and polished crank, rods and flywheel. The cylinder head is lightly modified, , with approx 10:1 Compression ratio. It is fitted with very early Downton inlet and exhaust manifolds, with twin H1 SUs (ex "frogeye" Sprite). Camshaft is the C-AEA 731 rally cam. Max power is about 60 BHp. Other modifications to the car include: early "works" roll-cage; fibre-glass boot-lid and bonnet; perspex side and rear windows; brake-pipe, fuel-pipe and electrical leads inside; "RAC" type sump-guard; "Hi-low" adjustable suspension; adjustable shock absorbers; spare fuel pump fitted under bonnet; additional water-cooling using an early heater radiator core; two spare wheels fixed to rear-seat base; the only modern fitment is the Brantz rally trip-meter and stop-watch timer. After build completion in 2014, the car has taken part in a 3 day Welsh rally and 5 1 day rallies (mainly HERO one day events). It's last competitive event was the HERO Challenge at Bicester in 2019. With the advent of Covid and old age (owner is 78), it has not been used since then. Note, ignore stated mileage - this is just as shown on current speedo/mileometer. Next MOT due 17/07/2012, Red, 4 owners, £24,000