Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i MiniWorld

As someone who admits to being slightly obsessed with the history of the automotive industry, I’m as fascinated by the stories behind the companies as I am with the cars themselves – and of course, the Mini is no exception. I love hearing tales about BMC and the people who worked there, from the Mini’s first concept sketches of the 1950s through to its four decades of ongoing development. And whenever I read interviews with folk who were there at the time, I’m particularly fascinated. That’s why I’ve enjoyed running various interviews with ex-BMC people over the last few months, with this issue’s interviewee being Bill Price – the man who became responsible for homologation in the BMC Competitions Department. People like Bill might not be household names, but their…

The Classic Car Loan Project (CCLP) is inviting applications from young MiniWorld readers to take on its 1967 Riley Elf, with support from the Riley Motor Club (RMC). Custodianship of the Elf is usually arranged for one year, and is offered free of charge aside from basic regular maintenance. The most recent enthusiast to be assigned the Elf was Bristol-based Emma Merryweather, who has since gone on to buy a Riley One-Point-Five and become the Riley Motor Club’s social media co-ordinator. “I first heard about the CCLP when my husband and I saw the newly repainted Elf on the RMC’s stand at the NEC Restoration Show,” explains Emma. “I’ve always liked the Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet, so to be given the chance of having an Elf for a year,…

For some people, a diminutive Mini might not seem the most obvious choice of family-friendly classic car, but for Mark Rowe there wasn’t really any other option. Having previously enjoyed the delights of an MG Midget, he was already familiar with British Leyland products. Meanwhile, his eldest daughter had developed a strong passion for all things Mini: “She was mad about Minis at the time and encouraged me to buy one,” Mark smiles. “My friend also happened to own a classic Mini back in the day, which I have fond memories of, so I guess I was easily persuaded.” Mark began his search for that perfect candidate on a well-known internet auction site, his only criteria being that any potential purchase had to come with a central speedo and 10in…

2024 February 23-25 Race Retro One of the UK’s major historic motorsport events returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, with a combination of circuit racing, hillclimbs, singleseaters, marque series, GTs and more. There will be a Live Stage hosting motorsport stars, plus two rally stages boasting 140 ex-Works and WRC cars in action. www.raceretro.com March 7 Mod ’n’ Mini Night At London’s Ace Café on the first Thursday of every month, from 6pm. All Minis and their owners welcome, enjoying good food and a great atmosphere. https://london.acecafe.com 22-24 Classic Car & Restoration Show Now a well-established favourite, this season-opener at the NEC, Birmingham, offers enthusiasts a chance to brush up on their skills via demonstrations and workshops, talk to restoration experts, and buy all the tools and parts they need from…

Mini trio stolen A Mini collector and business owner was left devastated after three cars were stolen from his warehouse in South Yorkshire just before Christmas (December 20), along with a number of rare parts that included 20 sets of wheels. Samuel Davies, owner of competition platform UKMinis, discovered the theft when he arrived at the workshop to perform a photo shoot. With over 100,000 social media followers across the UKMinis Facebook and Instagram feeds, the news of the stolen Minis soon travelled far and wide. However, at the time of writing there are no leads on their whereabouts. The cars comprise a Nardo Grey 1976 Mini Pick-Up (registration LCT 764P), an Island Blue 1983 Austin Mini (registration A837 YUX), and a Smoke Grey 1972 Mini (registration BVM 335K) that…

The Mini Cooper Register (MCR) is expanding its regional structure to reflect the enduring popularity of the Mini and to improve the services on offer to its members. Many of the Register’s activities are undertaken by regions, including organising stands at shows and events, drive-outs for members and monthly meetings, with a core of 23 regions in mainland UK. The MCR is also represented in Australia, Jersey and the Benelux countries, but now it’s adding to the list France and Japan – the latter being one of the main markets for the Mini, taking the biggest share of the approximately 40,000 cars produced annually in the early 1990s. The MCR’s monthly magazine, CooperWorld, is posted to members around the world as well as being available on subscription to anyone with…

One-owner Cooper If anyone’s looking for a cherished Mini Cooper from the late ’90s to show and enjoy, this one-owner MPi looks a tempting proposition. Originally supplied by Beadles of Eltham in January 1998 and finished in the ever-popular combination of British Racing Green with a white roof and decals, this superbly maintained survivor has covered just 44,000 miles from new and boasts a comprehensive service history. The ‘Monaco’ cream and black upholstery looks to be in very good order, complemented by a leather steering wheel and burr walnut dash with magnolia-faced dials. Externally, there’s the added appeal of front foglamps and 12in Minilites. The Cooper was serviced by Beadles up until 2005 (at 18,881 miles), with subsequent services being mostly carried out by classic Mini specialists. The records show…

After being left some money by his late mother, David Cort decided to treat himself, investing it in something he’d never previously been able to afford: “I wanted a Mini Cooper S and, after over a year of searching, finally found this one being advertised by Howard Wise Cars of Loughton, Essex.” And so it was that on September 18, 2020, David became the proud new owner of the 1071cc Cooper S you see here: “I was ideally looking for an Almond Green car with a white roof – but even though I wasn’t keen on the colour, I fell in love with this Fiesta Yellow example.” Although now sought after for its rarity, Fiesta Yellow (YL11) with a Powder Blue/Gold Brocade Grey interior was the least popular colour option…

I owned a succession of Minis in the 1970s and ’80s, all of them modified to a greater or lesser extent. I am now building another Mini along the lines of the earlier ones. In 1989, I gained a company car and sold the last of the Minis due to having no storage. I had at the time bought a set of good condition Dunlop D1 alloys complete with new Dunlop Formula 70 tyres, which have been dry stored ever since. Will the tyres be safe to use? Jon Roberts The general rule with tyres is that they should be replaced every 10 years. Many tyres will perish if they’ve not worn out before then, but there are certainly some exceptions to this; some tyres, especially if unused and carefully…

When Alec Issigonis began development of a light vehicle for military use, based on the principles of his Mini design, he surely would not have dreamt that it would become a must-have choice at seaside resorts and among dedicated followers of fashion, or that an American pop super-group would become enamoured with it. But that was the magic of the Swinging ’60s, when anything could happen. This particular Moke, HOA 124D, was built on July 12, 1966 and began its career as a BMC demonstrator. Within days, however, it had a very special job, chosen as one of the two Mokes that would transport the American pop group, The Beach Boys, around London to promote their forthcoming England and Wales tour in November 1966. It took them to EMI House…

Beatty Crawford has been in touch to remind us that it’s 10 years since she, along with Cathal Curley, Plum Tyndall, Brian Smith and the late Conn Williamson, were organising the Paddy Hopkirk Gala – a celebration of Paddy winning the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. “Paddy was my hero as a teenager, then a competitor and later a friend,” Beatty tells us. “He told me that after winning the Monte, he was invited to a luncheon by Belfast City Council during which he was given the Freedom of the City. I had the idea of having a procession of around 200 cars leave Stormont, with Paddy leading in the Monte-winning replica built by the late Graham McConnell. They would stop at City Hall in the centre of Belfast, and Paddy…

Looking back through old car magazines is always interesting and enjoyable, with the atmosphere of the motoring and tuning world of the time coming across. It’s reassuring that there’s still a big Mini (and classic in general) following, but also worrying that legislation looms in the background – and that the enthusiasm of younger people is not as widespread as it was. It is always great to see advertisements for companies that are still going, while for those that haven’t survived it’s good to remember them and the part they played in creating a movement that’s still flourishing today. One well-respected name from the 1960s that will be familiar to most Mini enthusiasts is Speedwell, which began in London in 1957, founded by John Sprinzel, Len Adams and George Hulbert.…

When it comes to Mini racing in Australia, Jason Armstrong is as experienced as they come, having been involved with the model – both on and off track – since the 1970s. The name over the smartlooking family garage is that of his father, Dave Armstrong, who set up in business in 1968 in Salisbury, 20 miles north of Adelaide. And the company is still going strong, as well as being home to the cars that Jason and Dave still enjoy racing so much. Ex-pat Dave worked hard from day one to get his garage established, building up a loyal network of customers in a region with a rapidly growing population at the time. Business boomed, and Dave Armstong Motors became known and respected for the quality of its work.…

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