Every now and then, it’s not the cars that stop you in your tracks.
It’s the little things.
This brake adjusting spanner for BMC Minis turned up as part of a garage clearance, still in its original packaging… and still wearing what might be the best talking point of all.
A tiny old price sticker.
The packaging tells us exactly what it is: a Brake Adjusting Spanner Type M for BMC Minis.
A simple, purpose-made tool designed for adjusting drum brakes — something that would have been routine maintenance back in the day. On classic Minis, the adjusters are square-headed fittings that require a specific tool like this to wind the shoes out against the drum.
Back when cars were simpler, tools like this weren’t optional extras. They were part of ownership.
But let’s be honest — it’s not the spanner that grabs your attention first.
It’s the sticker.
10p + VAT.
That alone tells a story.
Decimalisation came in during 1971. VAT followed in 1973.
So this can’t be older than that.
Put those together, and it likely dates from the 1970s or possibly early 1980s — though that’s an educated guess rather than anything confirmed.
Either way, it’s a brilliant little snapshot of the era.
A time when you could walk into a motor factors and pick up a dedicated Mini tool for pennies.
It’s items like this that make garage clearances so interesting.
Yes, there are cars. Yes, there are big-ticket items.
But it’s often these smaller pieces — the things that have just sat quietly on a shelf for decades — that end up being the most interesting.
And sometimes, it’s not the item itself, but the story behind it.
We don’t just buy classic cars.
We’re always interested in garage clearances, workshop equipment, old signs, tools and automobilia.
If you’ve got anything tucked away, feel free to get in touch.
You never know what might turn up.
Stay updated with the latest barn finds, auction news, and classic car adventures in our 'News & Waffle' section. Dive into rare discoveries, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert insights into the world of classic cars. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply intrigued by the tales behind these treasures, this is your hub for all things classic and captivating.
View All
A Proper Bit of History Every now and then something turns up that reminds us exactly why we started UK Barn Finds in the first place. This week, it was this. A 1951 three-wheel utility trike, built not in a factory, but by hand by Jim Richardson — an estate carpenter at Southwick Hall near […]
What Is a Churchill Hydrolastic Pump? The Churchill Hydrolastic pump is a specialist tool that played a vital role in servicing classic British Leyland suspension systems. Every now and then, something turns up that stops you in your tracks. Not because it’s shiny. Not because it’s rare in the traditional sense. But because ...
A Citroën 2CV Dolly went under the hammer at Cheffins — but this time, it didn’t quite find a buyer. We spotted this one ahead of the sale, and while it had plenty of appeal on paper, the result tells a slightly different story. A charming classic with a twist Offered from the estate ...
