Mini Luggage

[Fred J]

My late mum bought a red Morris mini in 1961. It came with luggage to match the seats (red with grey cream patterned facings). They are patterned in the same grey cream style.
On clearing out mum's I came across some of these.
2 long narrow cases for under the rear seat lip
1 vanity case
1 small suitcase
1 (was 2) shopping bag for rear pockets at back seat.

I have never seen any of these at car shows and wondered if they were rare or is it just my eyesight?
Have you seen any?
There are I understand reproduction cases made of basket weave for under the backseat.

Should I keep, chuck or buy a Riley Elf to keep my RMA company?

[OneCarefulOwner]

Buy an Elf! And keep or sell the suitcases - I'd never chuck something like that especially if I'd never seen anything like it.

Worst case (sic) I'd take them with me to shows & see if anyone ever wanted to offer me squillions to complete their own set...

[bnicho]

I would be very interested in seeing some pics of this luggage. I've only ever seen wickerwork Mini luggage sets, never ones matched to the seats.

Cheers,
Brett

[Fred J]

I will take some pictures as soon as.
Unfortunately the shopper is still at mums house but I will get it.

[Martin Evans]

Please accept my condolences on your bereavement.

I know that you could buy luggage sets for the Mini saloons. (I will have to look up the Mini book, over the weekend, to refresh my memory). Although I never thought of my Minis has having great boots (Though I squeezed quite a bit of camping gear into them), when they came out, they were regarded as cars that made good use of interior space and the luggage set helped to ensure that every square inch could be used (I have a feeling there were bags for the side pockets). I am sure your set will be very rare.

I know when the Mk3 came out, Issigonis wasn’t too pleased that all the storage space in the door pockets had been lost.

[Fred J]

Thank you Martin.
From my memories there was another small suitcase as well. Mum used them for odds and ends in the house and I think the missing case locks failed and it was thrown out. The shopping bags got heavy use and one bit the dust, the other is a bit rough but ok.
The surviving small suitcase seems to have gone walkabout in the hassle but I will find it again.

[OneCarefulOwner]

I squeezed quite a bit of camping gear into them

I drove my old Mini Special 4-up from Brighton to Edinburgh for a week's holiday, and we all had luggage... It's amazing how much you can squeeze in when you have to.

[Martin Evans]

I had a look in my various Mini books and saw no reference to luggage (But I am sure someone offered taylored luggage, even if it wasn't BMC), other than one reference to a sectioned Mini saloon, that showed two sectioned suitcases in the boot, the upper one being smaller than the lower one. It mentioned that thought was given to marketing wicker baskets, that would go under the rear seat.

[Fred J]

Thanks Martin.
Guess it must be a short run thing.
Must find that suitcase, just hope it was not accidentally thrown away. Other items safe.

[Fred J]

Found the missing case - phew!
Tried to post a pic but for some reason the site would not let me.
I suppose that is the first time they have all been together for 50 years.