Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i MiniWorld

In this issue Mini rally legend Paul Easter has kindly shared some of his memories and photos with us from his Mini motorsport career. He had achieved a lot as a rally driver in his own Minis before he was asked to join the BMC Works team where he swapped to the co-driver's seat for the legendary win on the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally with Timo Mäkinen. Turn to pages 72-80 for more. The Minis featured in this issue really are an exciting and eclectic mix and fine examples of the imagination of Mini fans. There's a mildly modified stunner of a Pick-up, a K-series-engined Mini, a dancing Mini on crazy low-rider supension and a unique Mini that was shortened and fitted with a hatchback rear by Wood & Pickett…

Organiser of the 2021 International Mini Meeting, Mini Owners Club, has been busy arranging fine details for event, putting together the itinerary and promoting it too. The event will take place 20-23 May at Villa Montalvo, Florence, Italy. As well as the chance to experience local food, craft beer, architecture and countryside, organisers are arranging a number of day trips to scenic locations including Pisa and Florence. The event will be sponsored by Mini Sport and campers will be able to upgrade to glamping. The IMM is supported by Rauno Aaltonen who took part in an online chat with organisers in June. Find out more at: www.imm2021.it…

After owning a 1969 Mk2 Cooper S daily drive for over 20 years Phil Stonard decided to look for an alternative. “In 2007 I thought that it was about time the S, which I had owned since 1982, had an easier life and looked around for a second car to split the mileage across. Initially I was after a more modern van or similar but a chance discussion at a regional Mini Cooper Register, with John Matthews, led to the purchase of a grey 1980 Pick-up owned by his daughter, Clare. It was a non-runner, the cylinder head was missing, it had flat tyres, was half dismantled and there were various other parts which had been removed, but it looked reasonable and we did a deal.” Phil is the sixth…

When carrying out any restoration work it is very important to consider every part of the car and not overlook some areas because they looked OK before the car was dismantled. It is best to always remember that what looked really very passable in the car before it was taken apart can let the side down badly when everything finally goes back together. Parts that can be restored should be; it is not only very satisfying but helps to retain the feeling and patina of originality. A classic example of this is the dashboard. The trim here is not the easiest to remove; often the panels will tear or crease as they come out, especially the upright panels either side of the speedometer. If everything does come out intact restoration…

Ben Ling 1994 SPi Rover Mini Cooper Having always wanted a classic car, and having a specific interest in Minis, I bought a 1994 SPi Mini Cooper from a friend of a friend. It looked cool and I wanted it straight away. The black Mini seemed almost entirely original except for the flared wheel arches, lowered suspension and large, wide alloy wheels, which did make it look good. After a year of ownership, and some fun driving, I put the car in for an MoT, which it epically failed as there was some severe rust on the underside, along with other issues. The rust had been hidden by lots of Waxoyl which the previous owners had applied. I was left with a di. cult decision. Should I do some welding…

At the beginning of July the Bavarian government eased COVID-19 restrictions for events so that groups of up to 400 could meet in the open air. Mini IG Bamberg was therefore able to run its annual Local Mini Meeting (LMM) at the sport airfield Ebern in Unterfranken over the weekend of 17-19 July. Around 55 Mini owners from across Bavaria and other parts of Germany attended. The event is a cosy get together for Mini friends to talk about their cars and have a bit of fun. This year was special as it's the 35th anniversary of the club. After the disappointment of postponing the IMM they had organised to 2022, due to COVID-19, it was a good chance to regroup. On Friday evening the barbecue was fired up and,…

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I have just purchased what I was told was a 1275 Mini engine with a view to building a Stage 3 tuned motor. I am not totally sure about the person who sold it to me and would like to have the engine capacity confirmed. A mechanic I know has helped me dismantle the engine and used a micrometer to measure the crank and checked a few other things. This is what he found: crank: 44.4mm big ends, 50.8mm main bearing journals, 70.7mm bore. Rods are 12G4114. The head is a 12G940. Does this measure up to a 1275 or is it a 998? Without an engine number I cannot identify the engine exactly. However, from the details you have supplied it is definitely a 1275cc A-plus engine, most probably…

In the 1970s a Mini converted by coachbuilders Wood & Pickett was the car to have. It was a time of experimentation when it came to vehicle styling and Wood & Pickett threw many ideas at their Mini conversions and offered a huge array of mods to their Mini customers. Eric Gordon wanted a unique Mini and put Wood & Pickett to work on one that included a wealth of special features. It is known, and badged, as the Mini Gordon. According to a number of experts on the subject of special and coach-built Minis, including restorer Steve Burkinshaw and author Jeroen Booij, it is understood to be a one-off conversion. There are two more reasons why this Mini is so unusual, and therefore very special: not only is it…

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the launch of the Mini Cooper, Rover launched the Mini Cooper 35 anniversary edition, priced at $8,195. It was one of the most luxurious of all the limited edition Minis and is still popular among collectors due to the generous specification. The retro colour scheme comprised Almond Green paint with a white roof. Decals on the rear flanks and boot lid announced that it was an "Anniversary Edition" Up front sat four lamps in front of the grille and the alloy spoked wheels were Gunmetal Grey with chunky 165 tyres. Unusually, the wheel arches and door mirrors were painted body colour. As well as all-leather Porcelain Green seats, with Cooper motif on the squab, there was a matching leather-trimmed gearknob and steering wheel…

2020 September 3 Mod 'n' Mini Meet At London's Ace Café on the first Thursday of every month https://london.acecafe.com 6 National Metro and Mini Show plus BMC & Leyland Show Combined annual events at British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire. Displays, club stands, show 'n' shine and concours. Includes Abingdon Works Motorsport Celebrations event featuring a large display of cars and a Q&A session with Abingdon legends. Ticket includes museum entry. +44 (0)1926 641188 www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk 12 Mini Action Day Annual Mini-only track day at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire. Traders, club stands, autojumble, charity passenger rides around the track. Event sponsored by Mini Sport. www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk 12-13 Isle of Wight Adventure Mini event with return Red Funnel ferry crossing from Southampton to Isle of Wight. Cost is £32 with day trip or…

Back in 2010 Carl Hambrook was on a mission to finish building his Mini before his son Jared was born, although the 998cc 1981 saloon was not supposed to be a keeper. “I swapped it for a Suzuki SJ 4x4 truck. I drove it home, thinking I would just do it up and sell it, but I kept it and then stripped it down the day it got home.” It needed a few repair panels including wings, front panel and repairs to the door shuts. “I kept doing more and more bits to it but then I decided to strip it right down and shipped it over to Paul’s on a motorcycle trailer. I pretty much live in his garage. He’s the welder and I’m a bit of a perfectionist…

In Resto Corner this issue we talk about restoring and or renewing the original dashboard trim in your Mini. The dashboard has always been an important part of any car and a nice-looking dash will always set o­ the interior of the car. The dashboard originates from the days of the horse and cart. Back then the dashboard was closer to the front occupants’ feet and was there to prevent said occupants from being splashed with – shall we say – the ‘exhaust emissions’ from the power plant(s) ahead of them. Mini dashboards, although still a very functional part of the car are there for a somewhat nicer purpose and, being the focal point in one of the most modified cars of all time, have always come in for attention.…

Paul Easter recently talked to MiniWorld about his career and, in particular, how he rose to be one of the most celebrated rally co-drivers of all time. “I am a great believer in luck,” reflects Paul, rather modestly. “In the beginning I climbed the tree entering local club rallies and racing and this very quickly led to my becoming a member of the hugely successful BMC Competitions Team. “I was surrounded by great drivers such as Timo Mäkinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk, legendary co-drivers like Henry Liddon and Tony Ambrose, and incomparable mechanics, all managed by Stuart Turner.” Better yet, it was supported by a substantial budget. In 1967 it amounted to some £200,000! Paul was born in a snow storm (significantly) in January 1939 in Tottenham, North London.…