A CLASSIC Mini Cooper that dates back to the 1960s and had sat collecting cobwebs in a garage for decades sold for more than £28,000 at a Dorset auction.

The 1965 Mini Cooper S fetched a sizeable sum of £28,600 during a classic car event at Charterhouse Auctioneers in Sherborne.

The vehicle, which requires a full restoration, had been parked in a Derbyshire garage for nearly 50 years, with it last being on the road in 1973.

It stayed dormant in this location until it was discovered by the executors earlier this year after the owner passed away.

“Everyone loves a project, especially one which has been squirrelled away for decades.” said auctioneer Richard Bromell.

Over the years, a huge amount of rubbish and other detritus covered the Mini.

The car had been enjoyed and used by the late owner as it covered a not inconsiderable 91,000 miles in the eight years it was on the road.

The Derbyshire executors contacted Charterhouse to enter the vehicle into their specialist classic car auction on September 23

“Although we are based in Dorset we cover a wide area having held specialist classic and vintage car auctions for 20 years," said Mr Bromell. “The Cooper was not is great condition having succumbed to tin worm over the decades and now requires full restoration.”

Despite needing full restoration there was huge amount of pre-sale interest.

The successful buyer, who lives in Cheshire, arranged to meet his Welsh restorer to view the car who also had a five-hour journey.

On the auction day, bids flew in via the internet and telephone, with the Cheshire collector securing the project.

Charterhouse are now accepting further entries for their autumn programme of auctions including classic and vintage cars on November 11, silver, jewellery, watches and Asian art on November 5 and 6, and classic and vintage motorcycles on October 28.

For more information about these events, contact the auctioneers on 01935 812277 or email rb@charterhouse-auction.com.