5k: 1976 Austin Mini Morris Double Decker
The Mini is a British motoring classic and was manufactured under various names from 1958-2000. It was small, cheap and spacious on the inside, available as a saloon (the kind with 4 seats, not with bar stools and cowboys), estate (wagon), van and pickup. It wasn’t however offered as a double decker wheelchair/motorcycle hauler..until some enterprising individual with a welder created this 1976 Mini ‘Double Decker’ handicapped accessible…thing, for sale in Bucyrus, OH on ebay $6495 buy-it-now.
The seller claims this vehicle came from a factory in Leyland in 1976 as an odd looking double-decker with handicapped ramp…but we find this hard to believe – it was probably just a Van (we think Van because of the non-factory style weatherstripping and shape/size of the rear lower side windows…and because the vin “XLV1277842A” decodes to L:998cc 4 cyl, V: Van).
The factory 1 liter inline 4 cylinder engine puts out something on the order of 44 horsepower and is mated to the front wheels. Original minis are small and nimble machines noted for their ability to zig, zag and drive down flights of stairs with ease – but we aren’t so sure what it’ll drive like once you add a bunch of additional body and wheel chair ramp bits…
Apparently designed for a wheelchair -we’d use this to put motorcycles, bicycles, unicycles or jet skis in the back and drive to the track, mountains, big top or lake.
We like the idea of a mini RV or toy hauler and with the right amount of additional tie down spots and maybe some curtains in the top – this could be a sweet car to drive to your favorite playground.
See another wild creation for sale? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Oh boy! Raising the center of gravity and adding weight through questionable construction methodology to enhance a narrow-tracked and underpowered British car? Sign me up. On the plus side, you could paint it red and have the smallest doubledecker bus. What's more Little Britian than that?
All the better to tip over with while trying to take a moderate turn at speed. Although I'd imagine this would be a bit messier to clean up (with all that glass) than a Reliant Robin. Just as funny though.
I own this now and you would be surprised. I tried to tip it, but it was very nimble. I have since removed the second level.
prudhommejc — please send us some pics and I will write a followup story. I somehow always pictured an NBA star or some really tall person driving with his head looking out the top windows…
Vince