A Mini Clubman, salvaged from the tunnels that ran beneath the Longbridge plant where it was built, is being auctioned at the Silverstone Classic Sale this July.
The Clubman was used to ferry workers around the sprawling plant and only has 11 miles on the clock, but was dumped in the tunnel after suffering serious damage when a storage container fell on its roof. It lay there untouched for some 30 years until a former factory worker gained permission to remove it shortly before the tunnels were due to be filled in, thus making it the last Mini ever to leave Longbridge.
Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions who will offer the car, said: "Without doubt, this has got to be one of the most fascinating cars we've ever secured for auction.
"It made international headlines when it was rescued from underneath the factory and has caused a fair amount of controversy in the Mini community, as some people would have preferred it was left in the tunnels as a hidden memorial.
"However, now that it's been recovered we're absolutely thrilled to offer it for auction at the Silverstone Classic Sale and it goes without saying that we expect it will attract a lot of attention."
With no precedent set for such a rare car the Mini Clubman 1275 GT will be offered with no reserve though a word of warning from the auctioneers thinking of dipping their toe into the restoration business;
"Anyone interested in owning a very important slice of British automotive history should remember though that having been abandoned for many decades, suffering wounds along the way and without any sunlight, that this Mini Clubman 1275 GT needs much love and attention to return it to its former glory!"