O δισεκατομμυριούχος Mohamed Al-Fayed, για όποιον δεν τον ξέρει, ήταν ο ιδιοκτήτης του πολυκαταστήματος Harrods στο Λονδίνο, ιδιοκτήτης της ποδοσφαιρικής ομάδας Φούλαμ, ενώ εξακολουθεί να είναι πρόεδρος του ξενοδοχείου Ritz στο Παρίσι, με τον γιό του, Dodi Al-Fayed να χάνει τη ζωή του μαζί με την Πριγκίπισσα Νταϊάνα, σε αυτοκινητιστικό δυστύχημα στο Παρίσι το 1997.
Ο 86-χρονος αιγύπτιος δισεκατομμυριούχος, με προσωπική περιουσία που φτάνει τα 2 δισ. δολάρια, σύμφωνα με το Forbes, κάποτε είχε στη κατοχή του αυτό το Mini Cooper το οποίο βγαίνει στο σφυρί στις 21 του μηνός. Το αυτοκίνητο ντύθηκε με λεοπάρ αυτοκόλλητο το 1999, όταν το ζήτησε μια εκ των θυγατέρων του, αλλά έχει διανύσει ελάχιστα χιλιόμετρα, με το μεγαλύτερο μέρος της ζωής του να το έχει περάσει σε ένα υπόγειο γκαράζ, μαζί με τα υπόλοιπα αυτοκίνητα της συλλογής του Al-Fayed. Στο εσωτερικό, το ραδιοκασετόφωνο εξακολουθεί να λειτουργεί, με τον οίκο δημοπρασιών Bonhams να πιστεύει πως θα πιάσει τιμή μεταξύ 3.000 και 4.000 λιρών.
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Formerly the property of Mohammed Al-Fayed
- 1989 Mini Rose ‘Leopard’ Saloon
- Registration no. F845 PYV
- Chassis no. SAXXL2S1020412804
- Engine no. 99HD800109228
Footnotes
‘F845 PYV’ is a classic Mini with a difference, boasting a distinguished history and a unique ‘leopard skin’ livery. The car is a limited edition Mini Rose, 500 of which were made in 1989, previously forming part of the collection of Mohammed Al-Fayed. It was purchased by the current vendor from Barrow Green Court, the Al-Fayeds’ country estate in Oxted, Surrey in August 2012. The extensive history file contains many headed service sheets from the workshops there. The two previous owners are Al-Fayed companies: Bocardo SA and Hyde Park Residence Ltd. The vendor’s purchase invoice is from AIT Services, another Al-Fayed company.
The Mini was painted in its leopard skin livery at the Barrow Green Court workshop in 1999 for one of Mr Al-Fayed’s daughters. After that, she barely drove it, and it was stored and maintained as part of the Al-Fayed collection. The recorded mileage is a little over 59,000.
The engine is an entirely standard 998cc unit. Today, the car runs on gloss black Cooper alloy wheels and has a Cooper tailpipe, while inside there is a rev counter and a cigarette lighter, both fitted during the Al-Fayed ownership. The ‘skull’ gear knob is believed to be a preference of Mr Al-Fayed’s daughter. The interior is unmarked and retains its original radio/cassette player, which still operates. A small leather-rimmed Mountney steering wheel is fitted currently (original included in sale).
In the vendor’s ownership the Mini has been looked after by marque specialists Mini Motorsport Centre in Shoreham-by-Sea and Sussex Road & Race in Littlehampton. The mechanics at both of these garages previously worked with John Cooper. Always kept under cover, the car runs on year-old Falken tyres and is said to start ‘on the button’ every time. It is under-sealed, and the body cavities have been treated with Waxoyl.
The ‘Leopard Mini’ attracts attention wherever it goes. At the car’s first show, ‘Minis in the Park’ in 2012, it won ‘Most Bonkers Mini’ and was the centre of attention on the Brighton Mini Club stand at the Mini London to Brighton Run in 2014. It has also appeared in ‘Mini Magazine’.
Part of a long tradition of bespoke Minis produced for celebrity owners, the car is offered with the aforementioned history file, sundry bills, MoT to 20th June 2015 and V5C registration document.
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