A few tweaks and the car tucks under the bed

Lester Atherfold says his tiny car 'brings a smile to people's faces'. Photo / Alan Gibson

A retired mechanic has modified his car so he can tuck it under his bed.

Lester Atherfold, from Napier, cut down his Mini, and at 2.4m in length it now fits inside his motorhome.

"People often laugh at the car, especially young girls for some reason. The car makes people happy - it brings a smile to people's faces," Mr Atherfold told Britain's Daily Mail.

"No other car in the world would fit under your bed, and it can sneak into the smallest of parking spaces."

Mr Atherfold's cherry-red 1964 Mini 850 is 20 per cent shorter than it was after he chopped out 60cm from the middle.

He fitted a new motor, transmission, subframe, clutch and dashboard from a Mini Clubman, spending only $200.

Mr Atherfold, 67, also removed the bumpers and reduced the car's width.

He carries it in his camper bus as he travels around the country.

"The car gives us our freedom from the motorhome when we are away on holiday," he said.

"It allows us to see and do things which we would otherwise not be able to do if we just had the motorhome."

Admirers have offered to buy the car, but he said it made up a priceless pair with his bus.

Despite its small size, the Mini can reach 120km/h with its 1100cc motor, and it weighs about 600kg.

Mr Atherfold said he took it to "every corner of New Zealand".

- NZ HERALD STAFF