'Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes.' And it could soon be on your driveway too. That's because a coin-covered 1968 Minis used to promote The Beatles' 1968 hit single is up for sale in the US - and it could be yours for US$25,000 ($37,500).
Covered in 4,000 coins, it's one of three cash-lathered cars created to market the song.
Three Mk2 Minis were commissioned to be coated in coins by Paul McCartney in preparation for the 1968 release across the globe. One is currently on show at the Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, South Wales, while another is at a Rock and Roll Museum in San Francisco.
Specialist car firm Performance Auto Gallery in Gaithersburg, Maryland has listed the the remaining motor for US$25,000, which might just be a steal considering its rich heritage.
While it might be covered in 4,000 coins, all are pre-date 1968, which means they are now out of circulation. Still, you'll rarely see another entire car strewn in cash money.
To ensure it doesn't become a crumbling bucket on wheels, the outside has been coated in lacquer to prevent the oxidation process, just to be on the safe side.
Expert scrutiny of the pennies it features revealed that some of the coins are extremely rare and originate from the late 1800s, some of which are valuable Queen Victoria coins; meaning they might be worth more than a standard classic Mini on today's market.
But while the coins might add value, they also significantly increase the bulk of the dinky vehicle.
The coating of pennies adds another 90kg on the scales, which is the equivalent of the average-size UK male, according to the Office for National Statistics, and around 15 per cent of the vehicle's standard weight.
But despite the added mass, the Mini is still driveable.
According to reports, the coined cars were the brainchild of McCartney himself. Paul was a big fan of the iconic British car, and at the time each of The Beatles owned custom versions, bought for them by their band manager Brian Epstein in 1965. Paul's is even for sale at auction in the UK in a matter of days.
The singer song-writer proposed the idea of the Penny Lane campaign, with the cars being showcased alongside the band outside mainstream record shops ahead of the promotional tour for the single.
While there are three thought to be in existence, a host of copycat replicas have also been spotted elsewhere.
Once it had completed its commitment as a marketing tool shortly after the release of Penny Lane, the car was used by a company in the UK for further promotional purposes.
When that business went under, one of its former employees bought the Mini and kept it for over 25 years, regularly taking it to motor shows and offering prizes to those who could guess how many pennies were strewn across the bodywork.
These 'guess how many coins there are' competitions raised an estimated £750,000 for local charities in Liverpool, according to the owner.
It wasn't until 2002 that the famed car was exported to the US, where it is now being offered for sale.
Its availability to the public should be music to the ears of car collectors and Beatles enthusiasts - so don't expect the Mini to hang around for too long.
- Daily Mail
