Wheelchair Accessible Minis
A record of Australian made wheelchair accessible Mini vans
A limited number of Australian-assembled Leyland Mini Vans were converted to wheelchair accessible vehicles in the late 1970s. The conversions were completed by Richard Kearns of Adelaide, South Australia.
Almost no information exists about the conversions, with the exception of features by Craig Watson in The BMC Experience (Issue 8) and The Mini Experience Reloaded (Issue 7) magazines.
It is believed that about a dozen vehicles were made. This page serves to record details of as many known examples as possible.
As at November 2024, there are 11 confirmed conversions:
- 021G2V2M10 4273
- 021G2V1M09 4585
- 021G2V1M09 6814
- XNPFB18Y 100454
- XNPFB18Y 101811
- XNPFB18Y 102699
- XNPFB18Y 104697
- unknown ID - Jade Green
- unknown ID - Original Sunassist van
- unknown ID - Fish Haven Aquariums van
- unknown ID - Brooklands Green, formerly stored at Mini King
Known conversions
021G2V2M10 4273
Image credit: eBay user 'meecraig', eBay user 'zhar02'
| Factory colour: | Crystal White (?) |
| Compliance date: | 01-1975 |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | Brown |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is narrower than windscreen.
- Rear doors have tall upper windows, with the extension continuing at the original angle.
General history
- Painted yellow and lime green. Fitted with 1275cc automatic.
- Previously fitted with wood exterior trim to provide a grab rail for users (since removed).
Plate history
- SFP624 (SA)
Sale history
- eBay (11/2014), Daw Park SA ($2,000)
- eBay (12/2016), Five Dock NSW
021G2V1M09 4585
Image credit: J. Thompson
| Factory colour: | Hairy Lime |
| Compliance date: | 10-1975 |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | Brown |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is same width as windscreen.
- Rear doors have square upper windows, with the extension continuing at the original angle.
- Aftermarket van side windows.
Sale history
- Facebook (12/2023), Berrigan NSW ($2,500)
- Mostly complete but in need of restoration.
- Bonnet painted black in tribute to Mr. Bean's Mini.
021G2V1M09 6814
Image credit: Elders, eBay user 'toby1033', Sunassist Volunteer Helpers Inc., L. Exell
| Factory colour: | Scarlet O'Hara |
| Compliance date: | 04-1977 |
| Engine number: | 99H834AJH 009109 |
| Interior: | Brown |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is narrower than the windscreen.
- Rear doors have tall upper windows, with the extension at a sharper angle than the original doors.
General history
- Once used by Kerang Hospital
- Repainted yellow as replica vehicle for Sunassist Volunteer Helpers Inc, Mildura (2018).
Plate history
- BVN276 (VIC)
- 1OL6RC (VIC)
Sale history
- Farm clearing sale (02/2016), east of Deniliquin NSW.
- Roof extension painted white.
- eBay (09/2016), Dimboola VIC.
- Repainted Scarlet O'Hara with a white roof. Noted to have been used by Kerang Hospital.
XNPFB18Y 100454
Image credit: eBay user 'greggy412'
| Factory colour: | Crystal White |
| Compliance date: | 04-1978 |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | Brown |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is same width as windscreen.
- Rear doors have square upper windows, with the extension continuing at the original angle.
General history
- Evidence of previous signwriting. Bumpers painted orange.
Sale history
- TraderTAG (08/2012), Werribee VIC ($500)
- eBay (12/2014), Drouin South VIC ($500)
XNPFB18Y 101811
Image credit: Ausmini user '9YaTaH', unknown
| Factory colour: | Brooklands Green |
| Compliance date: | 10-1978 |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | Cream |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is same width as windscreen.
- Rear doors have square upper windows, with the extension being vertical.
- Aftermarket van side windows.
General history
- Has spent time in Canberra, Gold Coast and Melbourne.
- Feature car in The BMC Experience magazine, Issue 8.
Plate history
- SYM244 (SA)
- 837LPM (QLD)
XNPFB18Y 102699
Image credit: Autofan Media, Gumtree seller 'B and B Autos', R. Penfold
| Factory colour: | Signal Red |
| Compliance date: | 07-1978 |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | Brown |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is same width as windscreen.
- Rear doors have square upper windows, with the extension continuing at the original angle.
General history
- Formerly T.A.F.E. South Australia asset number S041088.
- Feature car in The BMC Experience and The Mini Experience Reloaded magazines.
- High top roof removed in April 2023 during restoration project.
Plate history
- VLO049 (SA)
Sale history
- Gumtree (06/2016), Woodville Park SA ($14,990)
XNPFB18Y 104697
Image credit: unknown, B. & D. Stevens, Autofan Media
| Factory colour: | Brooklands Green |
| Compliance date: | 10-1978 |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | Brown |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is same width as windscreen.
- Rear doors have square upper windows, with the extension continuing at the original angle.
- Aftermarket van side windows.
General history
- Feature car in The BMC Experience magazine, Issue 8.
Plate history
- 1EBT427 (WA)
Sale history
- Delivered new on 10/5/1979 to Richards Kearns.
021G2V1M09 (unknown ID number)
Image credit: Carsales seller (unknown)
| Factory colour: | Jade Green |
| Compliance date: | est. 1977 |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | Brown |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is narrower than the windscreen.
- Rear doors have tall upper windows, with the extension at a sharper angle than the original doors.
General history
- Used by Kerang Hospital, then owned by a private organisation in Swan Hill
Plate history
- PXT323 (VIC) (?)
Sale history
- Carsales (estimated pre-2011)
(original Sunassist van - unknown ID number)
Image credit: Sunassist Volunteer Helpers Inc., Autofan Media
| Factory colour: | Yellow Devil (?) |
| Compliance date: | (unknown) |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | (unknown) |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is short in height.
- Rear doors have tall upper windows, with the extension continuing at the original angle.
- Aftermarket van side windows.
General history
- Original vehicle for Sunassist Volunteer Helpers Inc., Mildura VIC.
- Featured in Star Letter of The Mini Experience magazine .
Plate history
- BLP090 (VIC)
(Aquariums advertising - unknown ID number)
Image credit: Gumtree seller (unknown)
| Factory colour: | Yellow Devil (?) |
| Compliance date: | (unknown) |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | (unknown) |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is same width as windscreen.
- Rear doors have square upper windows, with the extension continuing at the original angle.
Sale history
- Gumtree, South Australia
- Features signwriting for "Fish Haven" Aquariums
(previously stored at Mini King - unknown ID number)
Image credit: B. & D. Stevens, Ausmini user 'Mini Mad'
| Factory colour: | Brooklands Green |
| Compliance date: | (unknown) |
| Engine number: | 99H |
| Interior: | (unknown) |
Notes on conversion
- Front upper window is same width as windscreen.
- Rear doors have square upper windows, with the extension continuing at the original angle.
General history
- Stored in yard at Mini King (NSW) circa 2007.
Other conversions
(Morris van - unknown ID number)
Image credit: unknown via B. Macdonald
| Factory colour: | (unknown) |
| Engine number: | (unknown) |
| Interior: | (unknown) |
Notes on conversion
- Unknown manufacturer.
- Extension is a different construction to Kearns' conversions on Leyland vans. It does not raise the Mini roof, and the windows are not a similar style to the original van windows.
- Rear doors are standard van with the extension having a top-hinged door.
- Fuel tank is in cabin instead of under floor.
- Full size van side windows.
Plate history
- SGN221 (SA), expired 2019
Acknowledgement
Thank you to everyone who has contributed car details, photos, and feedback to the register. All submissions are greatly appreciated, and every contribution helps make it possible for the register to grow.
To provide any feedback, please contact us.
Photos
The source of images used on this page are provided where the images are used. If you believe any to be incorrect, please let us know.
Last updated 15 November 2024