A TRIBUTE to an iconic Mini made famous by The Beatles’ Penny Lane promotional film will go under the hammer in North Yorkshire this summer.

Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn will auction a Penny Mini – covered with old English pennies – in the automobilia section of the Summer Fine Art Sale on July 17 and 18, with an estimate of £6,000 to £8,000.

The car can be seen in the entrance hall of the Garden Rooms at Tennants, and will remain on view as part of the Fashion Revolution: Costume and Design from the 60s and 70s exhibition, from May 2 to 8.

The frequent use of the Mini by film and music stars firmly established its place in popular culture by the time The Beatles released Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever in 1967.

The single was promoted with a short film featuring at least two Penny Minis, apparently commissioned to promote the record, using old English pennies to completely encase the bodywork. One is now in the San Francisco Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tennants director Jane Tennant said: “While the early years of this cars life are unknown, it was bought in 1973 by a garage owner for his daughter.

“It was then locked away in the late 1970s and forgotten about, until it was rediscovered by the present owner in the back of a London dealer’s store room in 1988, where it was described as one of the original Beatles Minis customised in 1968.

“However, there is no supporting documentation so we can’t definitively say that this Mini has ever had a connection to the Beatles, other than being made in homage to Penny Lane.

“As such the Mini is being sold as an iconic tribute to the band. An item like this always creates a great buzz and we are delighted to be offering it as part of the automobilia section of the Summer Fine Art Sale.”

For further details, contact 01969-623780 or visit tennants.co.uk