Irish '64 Mini Cooper

Recenly I have been watching "for the love of cars" on CH4. It's a good series and the restorations seem very good. It's like an upmarket version of Wheeler Dealers.

In one of the episodes they were searching for an original 1964 Mini Cooper. They found one in Donabate (Which they mentioned was outside Belfast!!!)

The reg of the car is 539 KYI, Does anyone know it? It's a shame that this iconic little car has left the country but he did a nice job on the restoration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8F6CZi7sXw

That reg, I suspect, is from around 1976 and so it may have been an import to Ireland (my brothers first car was a '76 Renault 30 V6 with an OYI reg).

You are correct about the 1976-77 reg, so as you say, it must have been an import.

The little Cooper has gone home. Still a shame to see a car as cool as that leave our shores. I am surprised no one in Ireland bought and restored it.

AYI to 999 YYI9 (Mar 1976 – Jan 1977)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_the_Republic_of_Ire land