If you have a copy of Maximum Mini 3 you may have read the following about a car seen in Wellington and named DT1000: "Another mystery Mini derivative seen in Wellington, New Zealand. This square but very roomy car was supposedly built in the UK in 1988 before being brought over to New Zealand. It did survive up until 2012 at least, when it was seen for sale."
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Well, mysterious Mini derivatives from Wellington have a tendency to survive (click here) and it goes for this one, too. For 10 years later it's still alive and is offered for sale by Daniel Mickleson of Hamilton in New Zealand. From his ad: "Whats someone willing to pay for this? One of a kind hand made 1988 1000cc Mini engine front wheel drive. Have all the paper work of who built it, photos of it being built and why it was built. Also import papers/land transport papers making it legal in NZ. It runs and drives. The roof is canvas And the seat rails are literally a ladder".
I've written to Daniel as I'm curious to learn a little more about the background of this one. Let's see...
Wellington DT1000 Special was supposedly built in the UK in 1988
Picture Daniel Mickleson
Spacious and practical! Panels are all aluminium while roof is canvas
Picture Daniel Mickleson
Neat dashboard layout, supposedly with Allegro steering column
Picture Daniel Mickleson
Name suggests it uses a 1000cc engine although paperwork says 1100
Picture Daniel Mickleson