Chris Rea’s electric-converted Mini — tied to his holiday hit “Driving Home for Christmas” — heads to auction in February 2024, with proceeds supporting domestic abuse charity Refuge.
The 1989 Mini, transformed to electric power in 2023, is expected to bring £30,000-£35,000 at Iconic Auctioneers ‘Race Retro’ sale on February 22.
BMW commissioned the conversion to mark 45 years since Rea wrote his Christmas classic while sitting in traffic in a Mini. Recharged Heritage performed the conversion using Fellten’s EV powertrain kit.
The car’s specs include:
- 99bhp power output
- 129lb ft torque
- 0-60mph in eight seconds
- 19kWh battery
- 100-mile range
Personal touches include a 45rpm vinyl record plate and song lyrics engraved on the battery pack. A plaque near the driver’s door displays Rea’s signature and documents both the original build and conversion dates.
The Mini keeps its classic center-mounted gauges while adding period-appropriate features like a retro gear selector and charging port cap. Its midnight black exterior features smoky grey taillights and “Rea-Recharged” hood stripes.
Recharged Heritage upgraded the suspension, brakes, and tires with their sports package.
“I’m incredibly proud to see this Mini, which holds such personal significance being auctioned for such a vital cause,” Rea said. “Driving Home for Christmas has always been a special song for me, and to know that the proceeds from this car will go towards supporting those affected by domestic abuse gives it even more meaning.”
The song’s origin traces to Christmas Eve 1978, when Rea wrote the lyrics as a passenger in a Mini. His wife Joan drove them through snow and traffic from London’s Abbey Road Studios to Middlesbrough — a five-hour journey that inspired the holiday classic.
