E V I S U L EXC T N U O DISC
Mini racing & rallying
love:mini
ISSUE: 3
FRESH CONTENT, honest opinion
d r o f x o plant y r a n e t cen tour
SHOWS
Brooklands Oxford Centenary calvacade
PLUS Max Mini ■ Zammit’s story ■ Harman Audio ■ Products ■
Ma k ing New Friend s in Sri La n ka
M ini T hu nder IV
love:mini joins
the r u o t b o j n a i l a it
Replace gear linkage oil seal
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UP TO SPEED
follow love:mini Keep in touch WEBSITE
www.love-mini.co.uk
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The love:mini website is a one-stop resource for useful information; such as event dates, upcoming motorsport, Minis for sale, useful articles and other helpful and informative links and tools.
www.facebook.com/loveminimag
Our very popular Facebook page is where we unwind with some fun pictures and ‘Shares’. The latest news from our Blog and Twitter account is also fed into here so you won’t miss a thing.
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The love:mini Blog really is worth bookmarking as it is here that we look behind the headlines of a story and keep you up-to-date with the latest happenings in the Mini scene.
https://twitter.com/love_mini
If Twitter is your thing then you can follow us on the above link and you’ll be right in tune with updates from the Blog and Facebook too.
FEATURES
editor@love-mini.co.uk
If you want to get yourself in the magazine or want to help and contribute, then the best way to get in touch is directly through email where you’re guaranteed a personal response. We welcome any contributions, suggestions and ideas that you think would help improve the magazine for other Mini enthusiasts, so please, get in touch.
editor@love-mini.co.uk 2
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WELCOME
CONTENTS 4 On the pulse Latest news and reader discount.
6 gear
Top new stuff for your Mini.
8 Your shout Reader’s letters.
9 Upcoming events
Mini shows and motorsport events coming soon.
10 Diary
Snow in April and disaster as we prepare for Italy.
12 Oxford 100: MINI TOUR MINI visits former production sites.
19 Oxford 100: calvacade Oxford celebrates 100 years of car production.
22 Brooklands The first outdoor show of the season.
24 A surprise visit
Blog and social media links
ISSUE 3 SPRING 2013
From London to Sri Lanka.
26 Bring the thunder
The fourth outing for top US meet MINI Thunder.
28 Listen up
Understanding audio in your MINI.
30 Zammit’s story
Mini ownership from old to new.
32 Howard Strawford
A look back on the life of Castle Combe’s saviour.
34 Maximum mini Track fun at Goodwood.
36 Motorsport Rallying and circuit racing Minis.
40 replace gear linkage seal A step-by-step guide to doing the job.
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his issue we look at the celebrations at Plant Oxford which has reached a landmark 100 years of car production at the site. As part of the tributes MINI sent five cars to visit the other former Mini production sites across Europe, returning to Oxford just in time for the Centenary calvacade. Elsewhere there is plenty of motorsport to check up on, as well as some
interesting articles from readers contributing. Which is the perfect time to remind you that we welcome all your contributions, stories, reviews, rants, and any other suggestions of what you’d like to see. Thanks
Craig McBeth Editor craig.mcbeth@love-mini.co.uk
THIS ISSUE WAS MADE WITH HELP FROM: Copyright blurb
Copyright of all contributions remains with the original owner. love:mini produced content is copyright of love:mini. By submitting words and photos to love:mini you agree to allow us to use and reproduce this material in any way, shape or form (in a non-offensive manner) for the foreseeable future. We do not intentionally use copyrighted material without permission, and for the most part we have been given permission to use copyrighted material. However, if you believe we have used copyrighted material without permission, we will do what we can to make amends. Reasonable attempts have been made to find and contact any copyright owner whose material may have been used.
MINI, Tanya Field, Phil Kitchen, Sammie Watts, Thishan de Silva, Mighty Mini Club Sri Lanka, Norman Nelson, Nick Bailey, Andy Zammit, Paul Lawrence, Castle Combe Circuit, Neil Bardon, Ian Harden, www.kpbphotography.co.uk, Steve Nolan
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joins the Italian Job charity run for 2013
(if the Mini makes it!)
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on the PULSE
adventure
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ne who has any association with Minis will know about the iconic film The Italian Job that many of us now know word-forword. It inspired many generations of children to become involved with the Mini and it inspired the launch of this charity of the same name, which raises money for children’s charities on a driving tour of Italy. In its own words, it’s “a way of having a fun holiday and, at the same time, raising money for children’s charities.“ love:mini has teamed up with MC2 Magazine to join this year’s convoy around Italy - if all with the Mini goes well, we’ll be updating you on social media and in a future issue. We are Team 30 and you can sponsor us through the JustGiving link and also keep track of us through live GPS updates via Skytag once the rally begins.
22 years
The event started in 1990 and has retraced the tyre tracks of the original film stars around Italy and now encompasses a broader tour of Italian sights which keeps veterans coming back year-after-year. Over £2.2m has been raised for charity since it began,
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once again showing how appealing the Mini can be for fundraising. This year’s event takes in the Ferrari circuit in Imola before a rally in Romagna and more circuit fun at Mugello. There’s a special trip to the Vatican and the Sistene Chapel as well as plenty more driving fun. It’s too late to join this year’s event but you can prepare for next year by saving up for the £1,900 entry fee, which covers hotel, taxes and meal costs, and by visiting the website at www.italianjob.com
1200-miles, 18-hours of driving just to get to the start line!
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love:mini readers get an exclusive discount on brand-new Ultralite wheels. ultralitewheels.com
E V I S U L EXC ! T N U O C DIS
We said we’d fight to be your consumer champion, and now thanks to our extensive contacts within the scene, we’re now able to offer love:mini readers an exclusive discount on brand-new Ultralite wheels - and we’ll beat any price on the market.
Sound unbelieveable? Give us a try. It’s simple. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Find the Ultralite wheels you want www.ultralitewheels.com Search for the best price Write to editor@love-mini.co.uk with your best price We will write back with a better offer and details of how to purchase
News in Brief Support Mallory Park Circuit
Mallory Park circuit is in tough negotiations with the local council about its licence and noise pollution... http://loveminimag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/ support-mallory-park-circuit.html
Stay up-to-date with our Blog and social media links
and versatile new way to get around.... http://loveminimag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/ the-mini-folding-bike-20.html
Use the MiniForce - new club!
MiniForce is a recently formed club with the motto of: “The club where the classic and Mini stand wing-to-wing in support Classic cars: The best investment TheBMW hatchback pivots from of our Armed Forces”.... bar gold thehttp://loveminimag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/ centre of the roof and a The passion of collecting knows no bounds drawer pulls out at the back. use-miniforce-new-club.html in the classic car sector, according to a new index compiled by international real estate specialists, Knight Frank.... Footman James launches cheap http://loveminimag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/ insurance for young classic classic-cars-best-investment-bar-gold.html
owners
The MINI folding bike 2.0
The bicycle is no longer merely a means of transportation, it is also a lifestyle and fashion accessory. With its newest folding bike, MINI is bringing a splash of colour to the streets and showcasing a fascinating
Footman James launches ground breaking new insurance proposition for young enthusiasts aged 17-23 years.... http://loveminimag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/ footman-james-launches-cheap-insurance. html
11 MINI Dakar LE’s launched in tribute to back-to-back wins
Success in motor sport can be measured not only in titles and trophies, but also in an extra spike in driving fun out on the road. At least that’s the message from the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 Dakar Winner 2013.... http://loveminimag.blogspot. co.uk/2013/03/11-mini-dakar-les-launchedin-tribute.html
Top Gear Grannymobile at Beaulieu
Bringing with it a distinct smell of mothballs, another casualty from the new series of BBC Top Gear has been wheeled into Beaulieu for some rest and recuperation – turn up your hearing aids and dig out those walking sticks, the Grannymobile has arrived!... http://loveminimag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/ top-gear-grannymobile-at-beaulieu.html
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Gear
Bits and pieces for your Mini
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Chin spoiler www.mcleanbros.com
Relay tester www.lasertools.co.uk
£63.50
The McLean brothers have an eye for style and have custom-built this chin spoiler and are now offering it for sale. For a decent price of just £55, it could be just the finishing touch to your project. It comes with rivots or self-tapping screws and is easy to fit. Visit the site to order and check out their other products.
Dodgy relays can be a right hassle, especially with a Mini. Who knows how the electrical gremlins work? Fortunately, if they do start playing up you can now add another tool to your arsenal to help solve the problem. This new diagnostic relay tester from Laser Tools quickly and accurately tests electro-mechanical relays. The suspect relay is plugged in, the tester cycles the relay ten times applying a signal to the relay coil while checking function of the internal contacts. It enables a quick and easy off-thecar relay test and is an indispensable diagnostic tool for the technician and auto electrician.
floorpans www.minispares.com
£13.86
For the price of these panels, why bother patching up holes in the floorpan. Just replace them. These Mini Spares panels have added metal to include the side of the tunnel on rod change cars. Just trim this extra material off for pre1973 round tunnel floors.
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£55
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123tune programmable £360 electronic distributor www.minispares.com The 123\TUNE programmable Electronic Distributor opens up a whole new way of tuning your engine. By connecting it to a computer, the end-user can easily adapt the 123\TUNE to fulfill even the most demanding requirements. The unit offers two sets of curves that can be selected by connecting the 123\TUNE to a 12 Volt feed. Full Installation instructions included with every unit Features include... • two centrifugal advance curves -500 to 8000 rpm • two vacuum-advance and boost-retard curves - two MAP-start fields - two rev.limiters - real-time tuning under keyboard-control ideal for working on a rolling road - rpm-stopwatch - ideal for tuning using the road itself as a rolling road
RGM countryman Rearguard £44.09 www.rearguards.co.uk Most modern vehicles have painted rear bumpers that are vulnerable to damage and expensive to repaint and repair. RGM Rearguards solve that problem. They are made from tough ABS plastic in black, silver, carbon-look finish and now in new brushed aluminium look!. They are self-adhesive and take about ten minutes to fit, with no tools required. RGM Rearguards look like a factory installed option and protect the loading area from scratches from general cargo, dogs, or whatever else you choose to load into your vehicle, keeping it looking smart. RGM Rearguards will also cover existing scratches and should they become damaged they are cheap and quick and easy to replace.
mini spares engine mounts www.minispares.com
£8.34
After receiving poor quality Rover items Mini Spares is now offering its own engine mounts for the classic Mini (manual models) that has been produced from the original drawings but not made by the original source as sold/used by Rover. The Mini Spares versions use the correct rubber, moulded onto the plates by the correct method and at the correct angle. For the price involved it’s just not worth considering anything else.
DEI radiator relief flush www.designengineering.com With summer approaching at last, it’s time to check over your cooling system and get it ready for warmer weather. DEI Radiator Relief Cooling System Flush is designed to restore cooling system efficiency by removing rust deposits and dissolving oily residue. This will ensure your cooling system is clean and up to doing it’s job without overheating. A flush through will leave your cooling system clean and ready to be refilled with a water/antifreeze mix.
£19.95 vernier caliper www.viper-performance.co.uk Every mechanic or engineer needs a modern electronic vernier caliper in their tool cabinet and now Viper Performance can now offer this reliable, robust and highly accurate caliper at an amazing bargain price.
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t u o h S Your it! Got an opinion? Share
consumer champion
editor@love-mini.co.uk
rights organisations explaining the issue. While I got many helpful responses Dear love:mini mag, and promises of further action, it was Just a quick message to say a huge thank love:mini who ultimately helped David you to the magazine for helping me in my conquer Goliath. Upon receiving my letter, recent battle with BMW. Editor Craig McBeth immediately sought After my power steering pump failed on to assist me put me in touch with a ‘real’ my 52 reg MINI One while changing lanes customer service person and not one of on the M60 at rush hour, I soon became aware that I wasn’t the only person this has the dogs-bodies that I had previously been attempting to converse with. happened to. From the way I was subsequently dealt It actually transpires that thousands of 1st with by BMW, I can only imagine that generation MINI drivers have experienced love:mini magazine is regarded as an exactly the same issue with a part which experts will tell you should last the duration extremely credible publication by the automotive giant as they went to great of a car’s life. Instead, they are commonly failing just a few years into the car’s life at a lengths to try and restore my faith in cost of around £600, or more like £1000, if their brand. BMW’s customer service manger himself was extremely apologetic you take it to a MINI dealership. and replied to subsequent emails almost One Google search of ‘MINI POWER instantaneously. After a brief exchange of a STEERING’ will through up tens, if not few further details it was just three weeks hundreds, of results of BBC watchdog until BMW surprisingly, but quite rightly, exposes, national newspaper reports and issued me with a cheque for £540 to cover forum posts all documenting the inevitable the cost of the part. failure of the part in question. Unfortunately, my faith in the MINI After countless phone calls, dozens of brand has been irreparably damaged as a letters and emails and a daily barrage of consequence of this issue and I believe the Facebook posts on MINI’s fan page over a fact that the company still hasn’t issued an two month period, I didn’t get a response any more satisfactory than a tired sounding open offer to replace or refund these flawed power steering pumps is a disgrace. But ‘official line’ of, “VOSA says the car is still no, the company continues to stand by its safe to drive with the failed part…”. At that ‘official line’ and will not consider providing point, I finally gave up on MINI. financial recourse. Surely though, the very Not one to be bullied or scared of the fact that the organisation has agreed to corporate giants who purposefully weave refund the value of my replacement pump tangled webs of customer complaints is an admission of fault? And if I’ve issued procedures in the hope people will simply a refund for this issue, why isn’t everybody give up though, I decided to write to all the industry magazines and trade and consumer else getting one? Again, one Google search will throw up thousands of people who’ve been victims of this widespread problem and the only reason why I’m not out of pocket is because I wrote to an influential industry magazine. A scandal, pure and simple. Anyway, a big thanks to the magazine in helping me reclaim the costs of my power steering pump,
love:mini
www.love-mini.co.uk
keep up the good work! Cheers, Ben Sharpley
Have you got a grumble with a firm who is not pulling their weight with their customer service? Let us know and we’ll take up the fight for proper customer care.
FIND MY VIN
Hello, I do hope you can help with my problem regarding my 1969 Morris Mini Cooper. I bought it about two years ago and have been restoring it. I did have the logbook but have mislaid it. I have no idea what has happened to it. I have the reg number, of course, and I wanted to apply for a duplicate logbook but they ask for the VIN number, I have not got the plate on the front panel as it was very worn and unreadable. I did manage to make out the last 4 digets-994a, my engine number is 12h694AAZ184126, is there a way i can find out what the VIN number could be. Thanks Mike Richards
Hi Mike You wrote about trying to find the VIN number through the engine number. Try contacting British Motor Heritage who may have information on your car. They will be able to supply official documentation and provide you with the VIN by using other search criteria. www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/store/ heritage-certificates-and-archive-services
Upcoming events Dates for your diary MAY 2 Dutch Mini Rally www.dutchminirally.nl MAY 3-6 Shropshire Mini Splash Dash Brook House Farm in Crew Green www.minisplashdash.webeden.co.uk www.cumbriaminicruisers.co.uk MAY 4-6 Riviera Run Trevelgue Holiday Park, Newquay www.rivierarun.co.uk MAY 4-5 Back to Downton Brian Whitehead Sports Ground, Wick
Lane, Downton SP5 3NS www.dewsc.org.uk MAY 6 East Midlands Mini Show Thoresby Park, Notts. NG22 9EP www.classicshows.org MAY 9-15 Italian Job Special Edition Follow love:mini as we join the charity tour around Italy. www.italianjob.com MAY 10-12 Minis on the Bay/Help for Heroes Weekend www.morecambebayminiclub.co.uk
MAY 12 British Mini Day Himley Hall, Staffordshire www.britishminiclub.co.uk MAY 12 Essex & Herts Mini Run Fundraiser North Weald to Earls Colne www.facebook.com/pages/WalthamAbbey-Mini-Owners/ MAY 17-20 IMM 2013 www.imm2013.eu MAY 25-27 Minis on the Prom www.newportminiowners.co.uk
motorsport
VIEW
Event Listings click
Track action
MIGHTY & SUPER MIGHTY MINIS www.mightyminis.co.uk MAY 11-12 Rounds 3-4 Silverstone (NAT) JUNE 22-23 Rounds 5-6 Brands Hatch (Indy) JULY 20-21 Rounds 7-8 Snetterton (300) DUNLOP MINI MIGLIA AND MINI SE7EN CHALLENGES www.mini7.co.uk MAY 11-12 Rounds 3-4 Rockingham JUNE 22-23 Rounds 5-6 Brands Hatch JULY 13-14 Rounds 7-8 Snetterton (300) MINI CHALLENGE www.minichallenge.co.uk MAY 11-12 Rounds 4-6 Brands GP JUNE 22-23 Rounds 7-9 Brands Indy JULY 13 Rounds 10-11 Oulton Park MINTEX MSA BRITISH HISTORIC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP www.hrcr.co.uk MAY 4 Pirelli Historic Rally Carlisle JUNE 1-2 Jim Clark Rally Duns JUNE 15 Severn Valley Stages Builth Wells JULY 28 Harry Flatters Rally Epynt
MASTERS SERIES www.themastersseries.com MAY 3-5 Historic Festival MAY 25-27 Masters Festival JUNE 14-16 GP de l’Age d’Or JULY 26-28 Silverstone Classic
Donington Brands Hatch Dijon Silverstone
SEMSEC www.semsec.org.uk MAY 18 SEMSEC Race Meeting Lydden JUNE 8 RMC Sprint/Race Meeting Lydden JULY 6 SEMSEC Sprint/SEMSEC Lydden CLASSIC TOURING CHAMPIONSHIP www.csccgb.co.uk APRIL 6 Oulton Park SH MAY 11-12 Rockingham DH JUNE 29-30 Pembrey DH GURSTON DOWN HILL CLIMB www.gurstondown.org MAY 25 Practice British Hillclimb and Leaders Championships MAY 26 Speed Event, Nat A; British Hillclimb and Leaders Championships
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diary
Craig McBeth
wrong It’s all going well Bruce pops a piston just weeks before we’re due to head to Italy.
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1991 Rover Mini Cooper Spec: Carburrettored 1275cc A-Series with Stage 1 kit, K&N air filter, sporty cam, Maniflow twin-box centre exit exhaust, odd tyres. Minisport 1.5 negative camber bottom arms. Now named Bruce, he has been in my ownership since 2007 and was my first car. Bought for a bargain with tax and MoT he needed serious welding to get through the next test. Since then he’s covered over 50,000 miles and had head gasket and gearbox failure, but all fixed.
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here’s something about my little Mini. It’s been described as unique with regards to its magical mechanical workings, and yet despite the numerous failures that he has bestowed upon me, I can always count my lucky stars that it wasn’t worse. So much so, that I actually believe my car breaks down at convenient times for me. Hard to believe? Well, if you’ve not already guessed, or read the strapline above, my Mini has, again, informed me that he needs some parts replacing and that he’s refusing to work until I do so. Of course he’s not to know that he’s set for a 2000-mile journey to Italy and back next month, but imagine if he’d broken down then... in the middle of a foreign country. Well, I’d rather not. So here we are, less
than three weeks before we’re off to Italy and the engine is in pieces as we look at the damage. So what exactly happened, you’re probably wondering? Well, having moved to Lancashire, I often have to travel back down south, and on the way to picking up the kids from their mother’s, around Tewkesbury on the M5, I heard a tapping noise which
Of course he doesnt know hes off to italy next month!
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suddenly became a hell of a lot louder so I quickly pulled over to have a look. Under the bonnet, the radiator was having a fit with water and steam hissing out of every orifice. An aborted restart only
confirmed the seriousness of the situation with more metal-clunky sounds going on in places that weren’t visible. Not to worry, I’d been here before... well, not quite this stretch of the hard shoulder but you know what I mean. After being recovered to my mate’s house in Swindon I took the head off and discovered one of the pistons didn’t seem to be attached to its conrod. The piston seems to have slightly melted too, which we suspect is from using a poor aftermarket waterpump instead of a genuine one. In the gearbox oil is a few
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I found three screws in two tyres - perhaps my own doing I’m not en tirely sure, but still.. a costly affair. One replac ement tyre for £30 and a plug for the other tyre at £8.
April!! Bloody April!! Snow!! Can you believe it! I had to buy a shovel but he still started first time.
shards of either piston or piston ring, so again we will have to see what damage it has done to anything else. The bore looks ok and the head is untouched. Only one piston has gone but we’ve got one spare here anyway. Further examination reveals a crack in the block so I’ve had to quickly ask around and found an SPi block which we’ll fit up with all my engine’s internals. But before all this excitement happened, I was going to tell you about the April
snow that trapped us at home, the three screws that punctured two of my tyres and the new indicator column switch that I bought to replace the dodgy blu-tack infused one I’d been using.
the spring to give the Mini a quick spray over. And by quick, I mean, 3-4 hours! A quick sand and some Kurust to attack the surface rust, before another quick sand and mask it up for a quick spray over. As a first mediocre effort it looks quite good. Sure there are some The Italian Job runs, but hey I live on a hill and it was More interestingly though, is that we’ve windy! It still looks immensely better signed up to The Italian Job Charity and will look even nicer once the trim is Run. Before the piston went, everything back on and some new bits too. was going pretty much to plan and I’d If any of you know what my Mini has decided to use the first warmish day of been like to me and you’ve followed me through thick and thin, you, like me are kind of expecting something to He looks a mess, but happen on this journey... It’s a long after a quick respray (see below) he’s looking 10x way, I’m underprepared and there’s a better... with more to come. good chance I’m going to breakdown, but hell, it’ll be fun won’t it?! You can follow us in Italy via Skytag GPS and updates via our social networks. If you can afford to donate to the charity, any amount, it would be great and the donations keep our spirits up. Wish us luck!
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/lovemini
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Oxford Centenary: MINI Tour Celebrating 100 years of car production at Plant Oxford, MINI tours Europe to visit other former Mini production factories.
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Mini run
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his year marks the 100th year of car production at the Oxford site in Cowley now the home of MINI. And to celebrate, the firm has set out on a tour of all the former European factories that produced Minis within their lifetime. The quntet of MINIs planned their route heading from MINI headquarters in Munich to Novo Mesto in Slovenia (formerly Yugoslavia), through Italy via the huge Innocenti factory shown here..., and on to Malta (opposite) via the ferry. The MINI convoy took some time out at the former assembly factory in Marsa, Malta, to meet former workers and members from the Malta Mini Owners’ Club, who have a strong fanbase on the island thanks to the number of Minis built there in CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits. Car production in Malta started quite late on, when, in 1960, the Mizzi Organisation built The Car Assembly Ltd, which initially
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Tour Schedule Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Novo Mesto, Slovenia Milan, Italy Marsa, Malta
Vendas Novas, Portugal
Day 9 Day 10 Pamplona, Spain Day 11 Seneffe, Belgium - Amersfoort, Netherlands Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Dublin, Ireland Day 15 Longbridge, UK - Oxford, UK
produced Triumph Heralds. But over time demand for a greater selection of vehicles saw other models produced there, including the Mini. The plant closed down in 1981, but there is still a large number of Minis roaming the island - and they look great in the gleaming sunshine!
Further on the journey are stops at Vendas Novas in Portugal, where many Mini Mokes were built after being moved from a former, unefficient, site in Setubal.
Portugese Mokes
Interestingly, the Mini, and
in particular the Mini Moke, had two production homes in Portugal, with Setubal being the primary home of production for Portuguese Mokes from July 1983. The story actually ties in with the ceasation of production of Mokes in Australia, and production equipment was sent
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to Portugal where Austin Rover already has a business. But by December 1984 the plant was declared bankrupt and closed down. With 333 unbuilt vehicles still in the production
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line somewhere, Jim Lambert who had been hired as MD of Austin Rover Portugal to sort out the production mess, suggested building the Mokes at another bodyshell manufacturer’s plant called Batista Russo at
Vendas Novas. In April 1985, production resumed in Portugal to finish off the unassembled Mokes and the last vehicle left the plant in December 1985. It was during this time that Jim realised that working from the newer, more efficient plant at Vendas Novas that Moke production could infact be cost-effective if more standard, and less Moke-unique, parts were used. After approval from the Austin Rover board, the first of the new ‘standardised’ Mokes rolled off the production line in February 1986 and production finally ceased in July 1989, with a total of 8171 Portuguese Mokes produced.
The former production site in Seneffe, Belgium, was also visited with a large number of Belgian Minis welcoming the convoy.
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After stopping off in Belgium to visit the factory in Seneffe, the convoy headed back to the British Isles for their first destination in Dublin, Ireland. Travelling through London, there was time to meet up with the chaps from Small Car Big City before zooming along the M4 towards the
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ferry port on the Welsh coast. Once in Ireland some night-time driving along the coastline took them to Dublin where the next morning they met up with some former factory workers at the Dublin plant. The ‘IN’ arch is all that remains of the old plant entrance.
The final leg of the tour brought the team across the top of Wales and into Birmingham to stop at the old Longbridge factory before darting down to the finish line at Plant Oxford for a well deserved rest before the Centenary celebrations begin.
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Mini run
MINI Photos courtesy of MINI
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To book a factory tour and visit the Centenary Exhibition contact:
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MINI Plant Oxford Eastern Bypass Road Oxford, Cowley, Oxfordshire OX4 6NL 01865 824 000
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www.miniplantoxford.co.uk
Showtime
Oxford Centenary: Calvacade Tanya Field describes her day organising a 100-year car parade through Oxford town centre. Words Tanya Field Photos Phil Kitchen
M
y day started at 6.10am with a call from one of our Cavalcade cars. It was PC Campbell with the Metropolitan Police Historic Vehicle Collection’s operational Rover SD1. Ryan had warned me that the SD1 was not fond of starting on cold weather, so my immediate thought was that she wouldn’t start! However, PC Campbell was calling to say that he was first on the scene of an overturned car and so he would be late, having to manage the accident until he could handover to his colleagues. I arrived at MINI Plant Oxford at 7.00am in sub-zero temperatures. BBC Radio Oxford had beaten me there and Jo Tunis, the presenter, and I shivered as we ran through her plans from then until the Cavalcade departed from the Plant. From 7.15am onwards, there was a steady flow of a wide variety of Cowley-built cars, from Bullnose to MINI and many models inbetween. We had an early Morris Minor (similar size to an Austin 7), Morris, 8, 10 and 14, Morris Minors, a Marina, Ital, Ambassador, Princess Maxi, Rover 800, Triumph
Acclaim to name but a few. Our three MINIs all arrived together and as MINI is Cowley’s Centenary car, we wanted these near the front, along with a 1960 Morris Mini and one of our Bullnoses. At 8.00am, our guides started to arrive. The guides were either past or present employees of the Plant and who knew the route so could guide the drivers. We did not want any lost Cavalcade vehicles! Once the Cavalcade vehicles had collected their run plaques and flags, their owners, passengers and guides headed off to the Visitor Centre where MINI Plant Oxford were very kindly providing breakfast and an opportunity to look around their Centenary Exhibition, which was enjoyed by all. At 8.45am, the Cavalcade owners, passengers and their guides, came out to wave off the
Re-enactment 1914 Bullnose which was followed by a 2012 MINI and a 1983 Maestro. The Re-enactment Bullnose was heading off to the Old Military College where the first Bullnose had left that building exactly 100 years earlier on 29th March 1913. In the Re-enactment cars were Kevin Minns, the great-great nephew of William Morris and the 9th Earl of Macclesfield, the grandson of the 7th Earl who was William Morris’ financial backer in 1912 and president of WRM Motors of Oxford.
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UP TO SPEED LOOKING BACK FEATURES
KNOWLEDGEBASE
Feeling that London - where the first Bullnose headed off to - was a little ambitious given today’s traffic conditions, instead they travelled to Nuffield Place, the former home of William Morris, later to become Lord Nuffield. At 9.30am, the 40 Cavalcade
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vehicles, which also included a 1924 commercial Bullnose and the Morris Band Bus, left MINI Plant Oxford and headed off on their route to Broad Street, in the centre of Oxford. Jo Tunis jumped in the Morris Mini and reported along the route. The route took us past several significant Morris/Nuffield places namely, the old North Works, South Works, the Nuffield Needle, the old Military Collage, the Nuffield Orthopedic Centre and his garages in Longwall Street. There were local people and photographers along the route taking photos and waving - all the vehicles were warmly welcomed. Once in Broad Street, the vehicles were greeted by a reasonable-sized crowd who were waving and cheering. The vehicles
parked up and then the public, including many past and present Plant employees, looked round the vehicles and chatted to the owners. BBC Radio Oxford remained with us until midday speaking to many of the drivers and hearing their stories. Our Rover 75 owner was delighted to find six people who had helped build Rover 75s, and they agreed to sign the boot of his Rover 75. Although it was a freezing day, it was a day that many people will remember warmly and a truly great way to mark 100 years of car-making in Oxford.
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Photography by
LOOKING BACK
UP TO SPEED
Showtime
Mini Madness
Mmm... superchargers.
Brooklands Mini Day
KNOWLEDGEBASE
Freezing winds cools crowd numbers. WORDS Sammiee Watts PHOTOS Mini Madness
UK
FEATURES
DATE March 24, 2013
Location Brooklands Museum, Surrey, UK
Website www. brooklands museum.com
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T
he first outdoor show of the season traditionally opens at Brooklands Museum where Mini enthusiasts braved the bitterly cold weather to boost a show which last year had over 1000 Minis on-site. The grounds have huge historical value to them as home to the first-ever purposebuilt race circuit in the world, so it is suitable this historic location is hosting a day for, arguably, the most iconic car in the history of automobiles. The few days leading up to the event had forecast snow and freezing winds, which, for a brief period, led to questions being made about whether the event would go ahead. However, even with a wind chill of -5 on the day, 660 Minis and a total of around 2500 Mini enthusiasts made it to Brooklands to break in the show season. The big attraction of the day was Test Hill. The steep 352ft gradient 1:4 hill could be attempted by anyone who was brave enough to take it on. A brief delay due to safety concerns of the hill due to weather conditions; which on
the day had included three snow flurries beforehand, a decision was quickly made by the marshals to carry on the action. Both old and new took part in the event with everyone succeeding to reach the top. One of those to take on the hill was a little Cooper named Oscar who stood out with his bright blue grille and chequered covers on his spotlamps to complement the roof. These features made him obvious to spot when it came to his turn on the hill once again.
Cold T
Members of the Portsmouth and Southampton Mini Owners’ Club were out in force but many of them explained how last year they were all only in T-shirts, but this year were layered in T-shirts! A few of them even kindly posed with their pride and joy for a photograph
You couldn’t fail to spot this MINI.
before running into the café for a hot drink and a turn underneath a very warm hand drier! One MINI that you couldn’t fail to spot was a 2003 yellow MINI One with blue alloys and a large number of decals all over it. Blue arrows drew your attention to its imperfections, which in most cases were scratches and dents. To complement the
Testing their mettle on Test Hill.
colours together, a funny feature was the dust caps which had faces of different emotions on the sides. The venue was lively and everyone was in good spirits, although many Minis started to leave after lunch. If the weather had been warmer then the event would have lasted much longer and people would have stayed. It was obvious that lots of people had indeed left when it came to the second Test Hill event which was also delayed by 15 minutes. This time only a small number took part and the crowd only filled just one side of the hill. Those who did stay until the end managed to park below the Concorde for a few snaps before making their journey home. Overall it was a freezing cold day but it seems nothing will stop Mini owners and enthusiasts getting together and now 2013 is really underway.
How many Minis can you fit in a Concorde?
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KNOWLEDGEBASE
LOOKING BACK
UP TO SPEED
Social life
A surprise visit Making Mini friends all over the world. Words and photos Thishan de Silva/Mighty Mini Club Sri Lanka
I
FEATURES
sri lanka
DATE December 2012
Location Colombo, Sri Lanka
Website www. mightymini.lk
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t’s always nice to hear of those heartwarming stories of how the love of Minis unites people, near or far. And here is another shining example. Thishan de Silva, Committee member of the Mighty Mini Club of Sri Lanka, wrote to us to tell us about a visit to their island by Rupert Watson, a Management Accountant. “We got to know each other at the wedding of my wife’s cousin in June 2012 in UK,” she says. “As expected Rupert and I got talking of cars in general, as it’s a safe topic to start a conversation with a person
who you have met for the first time.” “Soon we found out that we share the same interest Minis and the conversation went on for hours. Rupert was very interested to learn that a small Island like ours still had very good collection of Minis which were well maintained and running around.” “He was also quick to log on to www.mightymini.lk to get a glimpse of what our club was up to. After visiting our website he tells me ‘I’ve just had a quick look on the Mighty Mini website and the small car seems to have a big
following in Sri Lanka.’ In our conversations he told me that he was interested in coming over to Sri Lanka as he loved to see the country at some point of time. I guaranteed him that if he does come over our club could arrange for him to see and experience a few Minis.” “After a lot of planning with my wife’s cousin the visit to Sri Lanka was finalised. They all came over for a short holiday. Sashini my wife’s cousin and her husband Kushan, arrived a few days prior. Rupert and his girlfriend Lucy arrived on the
Trying out a Sri Lanka Lion lager beer for the first time. morning of December 29. The first thing in Rupert’s plan was to catch up with the Mighty Mini boys of Sri Lanka.” “A few Mighty Mini Club committee members had arranged a short drive for the visitors the same day at 4.30pm. Five Minis, one Moke and one Mini wagon pulled up at the entrance of the Cinnamon Grand Colombo. The rev of the Mighty Minis attracted the attention of all at the hotel. Rupert could not believe what he was seeing! He started clicking his camera from the time he came out of the hotel door.” “Rupert and Kushan were given a choice to pick a Mini to ride in and
were taken in procession around Colombo ending up at Independent Square for a chat and photo session. There after, the guest swapped cars and went for another drive around Colombo. The final destination was the Lighthouse Gallery, Chaithya Road, Colombo 1 for a few beers, some Sri Lanka-style cuttlefish and fried small fish. After that the visitors were taken back to the hotel in a Mini procession. By the end of the drive Rupert had taken 65 photos of the Minis for that short time span. I’m very sure the memories of Sri Lanka and the Minis will last a long time in them.”
Rupert and Kushan taking a look at the Sri Lankan converted Honda VTec Mini.
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UP TO SPEED
Showtime
Mini Thunder IV MINI Challenge Champ gives a demo
KNOWLEDGEBASE
LOOKING BACK
Words and photos Norman Nelson
USA
FEATURES
DATE February 17, 2013
Location Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows CA, USA
Website www. minithunderhill .com
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T
he small town of Willows California woke up to an invasion of Mini Coopers in February as Mini motoring enthusiasts gathered for MINI Thunder IV at Thunderhill Raceway Park, nestled in the foothills just west of the Sacramento valley. Greeted with beautiful summer - like weather of sunny clear blue skies and
mid to high 60F temperatures - the participants arrived in droves from all over the western USA. Over 150 entries were split into beginner, intermediate, advanced, and race-prep groups. MINI Thunder organisers Norman Nelson and Eric Diamond were ready for the task with 50+ handpicked experienced coaches
to ride with the beginner and intermediate drivers. Each group had five each – 20 minute on-track sessions followed by classroom instruction. The day went smoothly and was kept on schedule, even with the large turnout. In addition to the 150+ entries, there were hundreds more that showed up as
Chris served as a coach and demo driver. Our lunchtime break allowed us time to set up for a group photo with 211 MINI/Minis lining up along the main straight, six abreast under the start/finish. After we got them all lined up and photos taken,
they were released for parade laps around the 3-mile, 15turn road-racing circuit, led by the new JCW GPII MINI. The day ended with smiles on everyone’s faces, high fives, hugs, and a promise to be back next year for MINI Thunder V.
Brand New MINI GPII makes a starring appearance spectators and were given ‘demo rides’ at hot-lap speeds by coaches and celebrity drivers. 2011 UK MINI Challenge Champion, Chris Knox, from Scotland, came all the way to Thunderhill to enjoy a trackday with his California buddies.
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UP TO SPEED
Audio Feature
KNOWLEDGEBASE
LOOKING BACK
INI M r o f d n u o S Big
I
FEATURES
t may not always seem to be the most important option to tick when choosing a MINI but the sound system is definitely one feature that gets a great deal of use during the life of a car. Because of this - it’s probably unsurprising that MINI devotes a lot of time to it. love:mini spoke to supplier HARMAN about the development of the MINI’s premium sound system. Getting really good sound in the car is not easy. It’s a really tough listening environment that is full of materials that reflect or absorb soundwaves. In fact, many acoustic engineers think it is one of the most difficult places to recreate great audio. Step forward the specialists that design, develop and tune the systems in all modern MINIs; HARMAN is an audio and infotainment specialist and through its many brands, is involved in all aspects of sound recording and playback. The firm claims one in four premium cars has a HARMAN product fitted and that there are over 25 million cars on the road with some HARMAN equipment installed. In the MINI, it is HARMAN’s premium audio brand - Harman Kardon - and its badges are proudly affixed to the speaker grilles. HARMAN started working with BMW in 1993 and has been involved with the new MINI project since the start.
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www.mini.harmankardon.com
The Countryman provides a great example of how this is played out in the car. “There are two sub-woofers, one under each front seat,” claims Zieglmeier. “But, the enclosure space is very small. We worked closely with MINI design team and found that we could use the car’s sills as acoustic chambers, providing more volume.” It is a similar story for the speaker positions in the doors. Harman Kardon engineers work closely with the engineers from MINI to get the most effective location for the rest of the speakers. There are a lot of components in the door and all have to be accommodated. “We discuss location and also fixing methods and materials with MINI. They really understand the requests we make are in the interest of great sound,” adds Zieglmeier.
Engineering sound?
But how do the engineers know what the car will sound like? Like many other areas of vehicle development, it comes down to simulation. Unsurprisingly, as a leader in acoustics, HARMAN has some incredibly powerful simulation tools that enable the engineers to understand what the interior of the MINI can sound like, where the speakers should be located and which type of speaker should be used, all virtually. Once the first cars have systems fitted, the tuning can begin. This takes place several times during the development. It is important to have production specification cars to reproduce the same characteristics of the interiors of the cars that will be on sale. “We must have the latest trim parts and fixings so we know that they are production representative and ‘off-tool’. It has to be to the same conditions as the series cars,” explains Zieglmeier. The tuning is where the engineer’s expertise can come into its own. Up until recently it was a long and laborious process but again, new technology is now playing its part to save time. One of these new tools is HARMAN’s Auravox. The result of five years’ in-house development, it is a pioneering software-based audio HARMAN describes the partnership as a ‘relationship’ and claims tool that can assist the engineer with a preliminary equalisation curve. Previously, hundreds of manual adjustments would have only by working closely with MINI and really integrating the been made. Now, AuraVox software has been developed to the system into the car can great audio be achieved. point where it is able to undertake around 80 percent of the acoustic tuning and optimisation. The engineers can now devote Early integration their time to refining these settings to achieve the attention to HARMAN believes that every OEM audio installation requires detail that sets premium sound systems apart. a bespoke system and this is no less true on the growing range During tuning engineers rely on their particular ‘favourite’ music of MINIs. Harman Kardon engineers, some based at BMW’s passages that challenge even the best audio systems. “We all have engineering facility, get involved at the earliest stage of design. particular songs or sections of music that we know will stretch Wolfgang Zieglmeier, a Senior Acoustic Systems Engineer for a sound system to maximum,” smiles Zieglmeier. “We listened Harman Kardon has been involved in tuning many of the MINI in the MINI to these passages before signing the system off.” systems and is keen to explain how important working together Examples include Bach, Chopin through to Norah Jones, Tracey is. “The MINI’s Harman Kardon sound systems are designed at Chapman and even Metallica. “I like the results we have achieved the earliest stage of the car’s design. We enjoy a good working in all the MINIs,” concludes Zieglmeier. “They are punchy and relationship with MINI and this ensures the audio system is bold and reflect the character of the car. We and MINI think this seamlessly integrated into the car’s interior.” is an important element too.”
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UP TO SPEED
My Story
M
y love for Minis started from the moment I passed my test as a 17-year-old back in 1986. I was fortunate to be around in the era of the original boy racers. You were spoilt for choice then, with Ford Escort Mexicos, Ford Capris, Ford Xr2s, Dolomite Sprints, Fiat Abarth’s and not forgetting the Mini. My first Mini was a 1973 998cc Mini Clubman saloon which was a bright orange. It was my first car and cost me a grand total of £275. Having a mechanic of a dad I was fortunate that he was able to check over it and give me the nod to splash the cash. I still remember driving home with the big bus-like steering wheel and feeling six-feet tall in my small pride and joy.
FEATURES
KNOWLEDGEBASE
LOOKING BACK
Andy Zammit had a love for Minis the first time round in the 80s, and now he’s fallen for one again.
Tinkering
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It was not long before I started to modify the Mini, and the first thing that came off was the interior and the steering wheel. In went a Mountney steering wheel as well as seats from a Ford Xr2. After this followed the Weller wide wheels and extension arches followed by
the Peco big-bore exhaust and a couple of big Cibie lights. I don’t know what it is about a Mini, but it’s like a drug and you get hooked with the various things you can do to it.
Shiny intercooler, strut and custom inlet flaps.
Eventually the gearbox gave way after having the Min for two years and I sold it on. I kept with the Mini theme and then owned a few Mini Metros, including the
SPECS 2003 Mini Cooper S, Lohen 210bhp Stage 1 upgrade kit, (15pc Alta reduced pulley, Lohen custom bluefin, KN panel filter, Denso Iridium plugs), Fletcher strut bar, Polyflex bushes
Getting an upgrade at Croydon Minis.
MG Turbo as well as the Gti versions, and then over the years I moved away from Minis and had various other cars. The years went by and then two-and-ahalf years ago I parked next to a bright red MINI Cooper S in a car park which had a rather cute female sitting in it. She smiled at me and I decided I would have a nose at it once she had disappeared into the supermarket. It was then that I became smitten and had to have one.
Relighting the fire
That day on the internet I started to look for a gunmetal grey Cooper S, as I had always loved this colour for some reason. Eventually I found a low-mileage 2003 plate that was being sold by a MINI dealership with the TLC and Chilli pack. I actually kept the car in standard form for the first two years but after lots of chats with Russell and his dad Mike, from Croydon Minis, I decided it was time to up the bhp and see what I could do to make my car pull quicker through the gears but also retain normal driving at 30mph if I wanted to. Also decided I wanted my
engine bay to look different. Having already removed my runflat tyres for normal tyres, Croydon Minis fitted polyflex bushes for me as the standard ones kept wearing out far too quickly. Next I managed to acquire a beaten-looking custom-built intercooler from eBay, which I sent to a factory to have chromed. I then bought Lohen’s 210bhp upgrade and had two air-guides, which I had made tinplates for, cut in alloy metal so the air would go from the scoop directly to the intercooler. To also help to get more air into the intercooler I purchased a BBR Venturi Scoop attachment.
Next on my list is an exhaust system which should be good for another 4 to 6 bhp and give my engine better breathing and throttle response... well I hope. I love my Mini as it always puts a smile on my face and motoring should all be a about fun and having a buzz.
Power boost
The boys at Croydon Minis did all the work on my car and it felt amazing when I drove it after they had finished. The power really kicks in from 2000 plus revs and the supercharger whines like a Banshee and it just takes off.
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UP TO SPEED
into a thriving venue and was always supported by his wife Pat and their daughters Karen and Emma.
Career highlight
FEATURES
KNOWLEDGEBASE
LOOKING BACK
Some of Howard’s proudest days came early in the new millennium when British F3 and British GT came to Wiltshire. The track gained an international circuit licence and ran the ‘PowerTour’ event in 2001. The meeting ran to much acclaim and the paying crowd was definitely 17,000 on race day; one of the biggest F3/ GT crowds ever. In many ways, it was a true career highlight for Howard and the press referred to the event as the Wiltshire Grand Prix. Reflecting on the event a few years later, he was still immensely proud. “That was the biggest thing we’d had for years and, in my time, the biggest thing we’d ever had. It was fantastic and it was everything we’d wanted it to be.”
On the up
Howard Strawford 1935-2013 Tha saviour of Castle Combe Circuit passes away aged 77. Words Paul Lawrence Photos CASTLE COMBE CIRCUIT
T
he irreplaceable Howard Strawford will be best remembered as the man responsible for saving Castle Combe and turning it into one of Britain’s most popular race tracks. Yet that is only part of the story of this remarkable man who had a major influence across the sport through four decades. He played a leading role in the BRSCC, the Motorsport Safety Fund and the Association of Motor Racing Circuit Owners and more recently oversaw the creation and development of the Castle Combe Racing Club.
Organisational skills
Howard’s lifetime involvement in the sport started more than 60 years ago when, in 1952, he helped at the temporary race circuit at Fairwood airfield, close to his Swansea home. Later, he competed in
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speed events but was soon more at home on the organisational side of the sport. A job move to Bristol in the late 1960s put him into contact with the struggling Castle Combe circuit and before long he was using all his skills to keep the failing circuit open. Against seemingly insurmountable problems, he steadily re-established the track and eventually took over ownership. Many planning battles were fought to keep the circuit open and gradually extend its usage. Howard was at the forefront of every challenge and every little victory and recalled with great amusement how they had very successfully used the persuasive charms of James Hunt as an expert witness in the 1970s. Over 40 years and with constant investment, he turned Castle Combe
When the Strawfords took over the circuit in the mid-70s, it had a turnover of £15,000 a year and was employing one person part-time to cut the grass. Now it employs 20 people full time and in excess of 100 part-time, with a turnover for the group of more than £1.5 million. It started in the dining room of their house and for the first seven years it was so small that Howard didn’t pay himself anything, even expenses. Speaking in 2009, Howard reflected on the scale of the achievement. “In 1975, who would have predicted us celebrating the 60th anniversary of the circuit or dared to think that we would have funded a £200,000 improvement scheme for the configuration changes and spent many hundreds of thousands on improvements through the last decade. The usage is now up from five days a year to 265 days a year. But it still won’t stop me wringing my hands and saying: ‘We’re only just breaking even!’” As an innovator, a leader, a family man, a businessman and a true enthusiast. The thousands of us who enjoy coming to Castle Combe owe him a massive debt of gratitude.
The circuit is home to the MiniWorld Action Day every September.
SERVICE
RESTORATION
SPARES
Tel: (Parts) 01249 721421 Fax: 01249 721316 Email: spares@somerfordmini.co.uk Unit 2, Broadfield Farm, Great Somerford, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 5EL
www.somerfordmini.co.uk
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We have unrivalled knowledge and experience. With full workshop facilities and highly skilled staff, we can restore your Mini to the highest standards. We cater for all types and years of Minis and can make your dream come true!
OTHER SERVICES
Sadly every Mini succumbs to the dreaded rust. Our Refurbishment service could be the answer. Typically all ‘skin’ panels are replaced and the car receives an external respray. This will bring your Mini to it’s former glory and give it at least another 15 years of life!
We have a fully equipped workshop and carry over 9000 new parts. We have over 20 years experience and a very skilled, knowledgeable workforce. We are able to carry out any job here is a list of some of our services, please contact us with your requirement: accident repair, mechanical repair, servicing, MOT tests, modification & tuning and re-shells.
Somerford Mini also have a FULL workshop facilities. We are experts at restoring Minis and turn out some of the BEST IN THE COUNTRY. We also offer other services from general repairs and servicing to up-rated engines and suspensions. In fact we cater for anything connected with a Mini. We offer expert advice and professional honest service. Why not visit our ever expanding shop and workshops?
ONE OF THE LARGEST STOCKISTS OF MINI PARTS IN THE WORLD, WITH OVER 12,500 PARTS AVAILABLE! 3 5
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(Unless otherwise stated)
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1 2 3 6 4 12 5 25 11 8 6 10 7 13 14 8 31 9 10 27 11 26 16 12 27 9 13 15 1 4 16 15 16 MM denotes M. Machine 16 NG denotes Non Genuine 22 17 17 18 26 17 19 20 23 21 18 22 20 23 24 22 28 25 17 25 21 26 29 27 23 19 28 22 29 30 31
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SUBFRAMES & COMPONENTS
GENUINE HERITAGE PANELS
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Bonnet MK1, MK2 & MK3 £135.00 Front wing with or without side repeater £88.00 Full scuttle repair £115.00 A post stiffener - internal hinges only £21.50 A post boxing plate - MK1 & 2 (MM) / MK3 £14.29/£13.00 A post step repair - internal hinges £70.00 Rear wing MK3 / MK1 & 2 (MM) £95.00/£84.83 Backpanel - Screen down/Gutter down £180.00/£250.00 Full boot hinge panel £140.00 Inner ‘A’ panel (including scuttle closing panel) £55.00 Outer ‘A’ panel MK1 & 2 / MK3 £32.50/£19.99 Scuttle closing plate £12.00 Door - MK1 & 2 / MK3 £535.00/£405.00 Door skin - MK1 & 2 / MK3 £70.00 each Rear valance / closing plate (Partial/Full) £45.00/£23.77/£31.64 Stiffener-boot floor to arch / Rear bulkhead £18.60/£10.87 Companion bin closing plate / Inner sill stiffener £11.76/12.18 Heelboard - Full / Half £62.00/£30.00 Full wheel housing £75.00 Rear turret repair / Mudguard £43.00/£31.60 Full floor pan / Half floor (rod change) £190.00/£87.00 Floor sling shoe £5.89 Jacking point / Seat belt anchor £13.74/6.40 Boot floor / Seat pan skin £160.00 Inner wing bare / comes with A post & ‘A’ panel £106.07/£175.00 MK1 & MK2 van pickup inner wings £99.00 Flitch repair panel (NG) £10.79 Radiator cowl / Vent panel £51.00/£39.50 Boot floor side repair / Rear repair (MM) £23.76/£18.00 RHD tank stand £12.18 Front panel Pre 1976 / Post 1976 (rubber mounted) £150.00 Boot lid MK3 / MK1 £170.00/£330.00 Waist rail (below 1/4 light) Pre ‘70 / Post ‘70 £25.54/£39.26 Clubman wings / Front panel £98.06/£96.60 Clubman bonnet / Inner wing £148.03/£162.96 Mini under wing liners (helps prevent corrosion) £83.52
Non Genuine rear subframe - Wet/Dry £217.50/£171.22 Genuine rear subframe Wet or Dry £350.00 Genuine front subframe. Pre ‘76/MPi £394.45/£375.00 Front subframe assembly includes all running gear, suspension, brakes, etc. £1591.22 5 Rear subframe assembly includes all running gear, suspension, brakes, etc. £1236.88 6 Rear subframe mount kit - bushes, pins, bolts, etc £41.76 £394.45 7 MK1 front subframes 1 2 3 4
M. Cyl - single line (plastic tank) / Dual line Wheel cylinder - all types in stock M. Cyl seating gaskets - Large / Small Brake flexi hose - Front / Rear Rear brake Adjuster / Wedge Handbrake bellows Brake backplate - Front / Rear Brake shoes - Front / Rear Handbrake cables - Twin / Front / Rear to rear Brake drum - Standard / Spaced Brake disc - 8.4” / 7.5” / Vented Brake disc 997 / 998 Cooper Brake pads - ‘S’ / Late / Vented Complete brake pipe lit (copper/brass unions) Individual brake pipes Brake servo MK1 & MK2 / Brake servo kit MK3
£46.48/£77.18 From £8.28 £1.42/£1.13 £7.02/£7.80 £2.05 each/£4.10 each £2.28 each £41.11/£32.89 £12.74/£12.29 £4.75/£4.20/£4.74 £14.29/£14.58 £10.20/£26.81/£14.40 £48.72 each £20.64/£13.80/£19.30 From £78.19 From £8.59 £327.60/£161.82
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CARBURATION Air filter - HS2 / HS4 / Injection Cooper £6.78/£5.08/£9.54 Carb rebuild kit - HS2 / HS4 std / HIF44 £37.58/£46.98/£55.49 Carb jets - Standard / Waxstat £16.85/£32.68 Heat shield kit - HS2 / HS4 Stainless £12.72 Throttle cable - HS / HIF £3.88/£9.19 Choke cable - MK1 & ‘S’ / 1969 & 1989 £14.40/£14.40/£7.31 Carb Needle / Spring £10.21/£5.46 Twin carb link pipe £10.08 Fuel pump - Manual N.Gen/Manual Gen/Electric N.Gen £17.75/£35.51/£56.10 Electric fuel pump mounting Bracket / Clamp £7.15/£6.60 S.U. pump banjo union £4.21 Fuel filter in-line (replacable element) £9.00 Fuel hose - Rubber / Braided (per metre) £5.06/£7.14 Front/rear copper fuel pipe - Saloon / Van & Estate £13.97/£28.37 Carb return spring - Standard / Twin carb £2.54/£2.56 Twin carb linkage kit £17.41 Fuel pump blanking plate £3.78
CLUTCH Clutch kit - Diaphragm / Verto / Injection Slave cylinder - Diaphragm Gen/N.Gen/Verto Gen/N.Gen Flexi hose - Diaphragm / Verto Clutch cover - Standard / Orange / Grey Master cylinder - Plastic tank / Tin tank Release bearing - Diaphragm / Verto Return spring
£59.05/£91.20/£113.11 £28.64/£11.44/£43.81/£25.91 £8.68/£4.74 £27.95/£38.28/£47.10 £52.51/£79.62 £9.68/£12.25 £2.34
Standard Radiator - 3 Row/Comp 2 row/MPi Oil cooler - 13 row Braided pipe kit - Mini / Clubman Thermostat / Blanking sleeve / Housing Radiator cowling rubber Radiator hoses to 1990 - Top / Bottom Top hose ‘S’ / GT Heater control valve MK1 / MK3 / MK4 Water pump Cooling fan - 2 Blade / 6 Blade Top radiator bracket - ‘S’ or GT Heater hose 1275 fan spacer Heater cable - MK1 / MK2 & MK3
ELECTRICAL Fuel sender Saloon/Estate £25.54/£25.54 Indicator switch MK1 / MK2 / MK3 £33.06/£30.60/£38.10 Fuse box - 2 Fuse / 4 Fuse £10.08/£18.00 Floor starter switch £27.84 Solenoid - Standard / Push button £10.20/£23.50 Floor mounted dip switch £19.92 Headlamp switch - MK1 / MK2 / MK3 £10.36/£21.60/£9.00 Battery cable - front to rear £19.50 Battery - Clamp / Rod £6.76/£1.91 Dynamo - reconditioned. (exchange) £63.00 Alternator - reconditioned. (exchange) From £45.90 Voltage regulator £22.07 Starter motor - recon. (ex) Inertia/Pre-engaged £90.00/£84.40 Complete wiring looms From £179.83 Wiper wheelbox - MK1 / MK3 £51.66/£17.36 Washer pump - Electric / Manual £13.50/£22.92 Wiper park switch / Multi plug £13.20/£6.54 Wiper motor - twin speed £43.50 Indicator flasher unit MK1 / MK2 & 3 / 1991 onwards £5.99/£4.68/£10.36
IGNITION H.T. leads & plug caps - Period MK1 H.T. lead set - Various colours / MPi Electronic ignition kits - Aldon / Lumenition
£32.05 set £12.25/£15.32 £97.87/£87.36
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5
£11.75 £8.20 £6.64 £18.65/£9.72 £5.04 £32.47/£12.25 £27.72 £195.00/£6.13 £6.64
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4
8
6
FLOORING PANELS 8 2 10
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5
6
11
1 4
12 3
Aldon competition dizzy Ignition switch MK1 & 2 / MK3 & MK4 £69.60/£91.78/£162.06 £42.62 £31.06/£35.03 £4.92/£8.82/£12.89 £5.40 £4.68/£8.64 £3.58/£6.74 £19.98/£15.00/£30.11 £20.45 £27.36/£34.32 £8.99 £3.06 per metre £9.38 £14.40/£11.94
Rear number plate backing Rear number plate bracket 1/4 valence seam capping Rear 1/4 valence Genuine/Non Genuine Rear 1/4 valence closing plate Centre valence Genuine/Non Genuine Centre rear valence closing plate Van or Estate - Fuel tank / Fitting kit Rear valence seam capping
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GENERAL RESTORATION PARTS COOLING
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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WHILST WE ENDEAVOUR TO SOURCE AND SELL THE BEST QUALITY PARTS AVAILABLE, WE REGRET WE DO NOT CATER FOR CONCOURSE CARS.
BRAKES
VAN/ESTATE REAR VALENCE PANELS
£176.17 £10.36/£54.82
LIGHTING Clubman side indicator unit £68.74 Rear light - MK1 / MK2 / MK3 £47.86/£48.72/£49.60 Rear lens MK1 - Red / Amber / Screw kit £8.10/£6.05/£5.04 Rear lens MK2 & MK3 £15.66 Headlamp sealed beam unit £13.22 Quadoptic halogen headlamp kit RHD/LHD £38.98/£48.62 Steel headlamp - Bowl / Rubber gasket £10.80/£4.20 Plastic headlamp bowl (including rim, gasket & adjuster) £11.40 Headlamp bezel - Genuine / Non Genuine £16.27/£7.30 Front indicator unit - Genuine / Non Genuine £15.32/£7.14 ‘Works’ chrome boot mounted spot lamp £121.96 6” driving lamp set - Black / Chrome £31.66/£22.14 Stainless spotlamp bracket £7.20 Pick-up rear light - 1976 onwards £25.63 Rear number plate MK1 & 2 - Genuine / Non Genuine. £29.15/£8.02 MK3 Interior light / Interior light switch £9.90/£5.94
PLUGS/CONTACTS/CONDENSERS (All types in stock)
Standard coil/Ballast/Electronic/Sports Low tension lead (MK1 / MK2 25D) Distributor vacuum unit 25D / 45D Engine splash guard kit (includes clips, etc) Standard battery / Heavy duty Metal vacuum advance pipe with fuel trap
£19.03/£19.67/£22.28/£21.31 £5.34 £46.55 £35.75 £41.72/£59.16 £25.20
RUBBER BUSHES/MOUNTINGS Rear subframe mounting - Large / Small Rear sub mounting pin Tie bar - Standard / Heavy duty Bottom arm - Standard / Heavy duty Rear shock top cap Top arm rebound buffer Front bump stop (not hydro) - 1 Bolt / 2 Bolt Bump stop (hydro) - Front / Rear Shock absorber - Front / Rear, top
£3.53/£1.14 £17.26 £1.08 each/£7.66 set of 4 £1.80 each/£11.23 set of 4 £4.08 £1.80 £7.15/£7.66 £7.20/£6.60 £2.28/£4.86
1 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Radius arm nipple shroud £7.20 Saloon outer sill - MK1 & 2, 4 flute (MM) £18.36 Saloon outer sill - MK3 Genuine / Non Genuine £32.50/£10.20 Van & Estate outer sill MK1 & 2, 4 flute (MM) £17.64 Van & Estate outer sill - MK3 Genuine / Non Genuine £28.39/£10.50 Seat cross member - Pre 1974 / Post 1974 £56.17/£61.12 Seat cross member end repair £18.90 Companion bin - Saloon MK1,2,3 / Clubman Estate £30.46/£82.66 each Genuine companion bin MK3 onwards £31.64 Lower companion bin repair Saloon MK1,2,3/Club Estate £16.66/£14.86 ea Wide front to rear floor c/w outer sill and jacking point £135.29 Narrow front to rear floor c/w outer sill and jacking point £81.43 Full length inner sill - Saloon / Estate £26.46/£28.80 Battery cable cover £15.43 Complete floor assembly Heritage £535.00 Front foot well repair - Budget / Restoration £12.60/£35.75
Front subframe - Front mount / Rear mount Rubber suspension cone - Genuine Rod change mount Remote housing mount Engine mount manual Engine mount auto - RHD / LHD Engine tie bar kit - Standard / Up-rated Remote to gearbox - Front
£3.60/£5.70 £49.60 £4.38 £4.92 £3.05 £26.98/£12.34 £2.38/£7.66 £3.54
SUSPENSION/STEERING Radius arm rebuild kit £14.29 each Knuckle joint £4.08 each Swivel pin kit (service one hub) £10.73 Track rod end - Genuine / Non Genuine £13.50/£4.96 Steering rack (new) RHD / LHD £67.86/£72.22 Sports pack limited travel rack (Non Genuine) £90.00 Nylon steering column bush - Upper / Lower £4.50/£4.74 Timken front disc bearings - Genuine / Non Genuine £65.34/£14.04 Timken front drum bearings - Genuine / Non Genuine £68.26/£12.42 Timken rear bearings - Genuine / Non Genuine £42.89/£11.34 Drive flange ‘S’ / 8.4” / Drum £27.85/£30.48/£29.62 Shock absorber - Front & Rear £18.38 each Hydro pipe - Nylon / Copper £35.75/£33.78 Displacer dust cover £7.14 Top arm rebuild kit £13.20 per arm Front towing eye £10.20 MASSIVE SELECTION OF NUTS, BOLTS AND BODY HARDWARE
BODYSHELLS
(Range includes MK4, SPi, MPi) Sportspack £5750.00 each Clubman Saloon £5950.00 each WE STOCK THE ENTIRE HERITAGE BODYSHELL RANGE. PLEASE CONTACT US WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS.
‘FREE’ CATALOGUES For your FREE copy of the CLASSIC MINI ACCESSORIES and/or BODY PANEL catalogue, please contact us by phone or email (see top of advert). CD ROM Over 12,500 parts listed! Full of information and explanatory notes. Includes 40 exclusive video clips of the last ever Mini being built at Longbridge. UK £4.08 incl. P&P. (Outside UK £5.00 incl. P&P).
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This advert only represents 5% of our stock, please phone for more parts and prices. ALL PRICES IN THE ADVERT INCLUDE VAT. E&OE - Prices correct at time of going to press. Subject to change without notice.
33
UP TO SPEED
Showtime
MINI to the Max
KNOWLEDGEBASE
LOOKING BACK
Good times at Goodwood.
Words Neil Barden
I UK
FEATURES
DATE October 3, 2012
Location Goodwood, Chichester, Hants, UK
Website www. goodwood.co.uk
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was delighted when I got an invitation from MINI UK to attend this event. I’d seen and entered the competition on Facebook, but hadn’t expected to be one of the 30 lucky winners. The prize was a place on a MINIcentred track day at Goodwood Motor Circuit. As this is one of my favourite places, the opportunity to take part in some MINI action there was too good to miss. Arriving in the paddock midmorning, the first thing to be noticed was a chilli red MINI Challenge car. Would there be passenger rides available later? And warming up in the pit lane, waiting to go out on track, was a new MINI GP. This was soon in action, doing quick laps of the circuit while we watched from the balcony of the Jackie Stewart Pavilion, overlooking the track.
After an early lunch, we had an introduction from MINI UK, followed by a briefing from Goodwood’s chief instructor, telling us about the history and layout of the circuit, and explaining the rules for the day. Then it was time for the action to start. MINI had a number of cars present for us to drive on track; a variety of Coupes and Roadsters in different specs, plus a JCW Clubman and Hatch. Goodwood instructors were in the passenger seats for our track laps, giving us hints and advice on how to drive the circuit. I found this very confidence-inspiring and a great help in improving my technique. We were also encouraged to take our own MINIs out on track, and it was great to be able to drive my R53 JCW on the historic circuit.
MINI CHALLENGE
The MINI Challenge car spotted earlier was also out on track, and yes, passenger rides were available. Piloted by racing driver Tiffany Chittenden, this was a fantastic experience and showed just how fast a MINI could be made to go around Goodwood by a professional driver. Passenger laps were also on offer in the new GP. After experiencing this, most of us were busy working out how we could afford one! As well as the track action, MINI had a fleet of cars available
for test drives on the roads around the Goodwood estate. The most interesting of these was a MINI Inspired by Goodwood, and I was first in line to get the keys for a drive of the most expensive MINI. It was so smooth and refined, and very luxurious inside. I also drove a Coupe and Roadster for the first time, but ran out of time to try the Clubman van. All too soon it was 16:30 and the day was over. Everyone had been assessed on various aspects of their on-track performance, some of them serious, others not so, and prizes were awarded by MINI. No-one went home empty-handed as we all got a goodybag filled with MINI items. The day was like Christmas come early for MINI fans, with so many treats on offer. Big thanks must go to MINI UK and Goodwood, and all their people involved in making it such an awesome experience.
Anyone got a spare ÂŁ40k?
The Challenge MINI is always fun to watch and a good looking car. The MINI Goodwood sports all the prestige of its namesake.
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35
Motorsport
LOOKING BACK
UP TO SPEED
Rally:Circuit:Hillclimb:Autograss:Sprint
ROUN D 1
FEATURES
KNOWLEDGEBASE
HRCR Old Stager Clubman challenge: Mid-wales stages
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Clive King and Bob Ward set the pace.
C
live King and Bob Ward made a little bit of history at the Rally Marketing Mid Wales Stages, as the first-ever winners of a round of the newfor 2013 HRCR ‘old Stager’ Clubman’s Challenge. The experienced pairing drove the doors off their diminutive Mini, setting the fastest time on each of the day’s four stages to take both the Clubman’s Challenge and win class B1. Despite their rivals’ best efforts throughout the 45 stage-mile route, they finished one minute 12.3 seconds ahead of fellow Mini competitors Andrew O’Hanlon / James Crook and took the lead in the season-long Mini Cup, which has been successfully incorporated into this year’s ‘old Stager’ series. Right from the opening pair of stages, King showed he had sorted the mechanical gremlins that blighted his 2012 season. Taking advantage of a smooth stage surface, due to running ahead of the modern cars, King confidently stormed through Pikes
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Peak and Myherin. He arrived at the Sweet Lamb service with a 32-second lead over O’Hanlon, with Nigel Dutson / Finlay Mackintosh making it an all-Mini top three. “The stages are in fantastic condition; I’ve got a small leak from a brake cylinder but otherwise the day’s going perfectly,” reported King. His good run contrasted starkly with Eric Davis who, with co-driver Russell Joseph, retired their Mini after stage one with an overheating problem. Davis wore a puzzled expression as he finally arrived at Sweet Lamb. “The engine was fine on the road section, but overheated about 200 yards into the stage, “ he said. “It’s cooled down and now it’s running perfectly again. We can’t figure it out: there’s a lot of pondering going on.” Knowing O’Hanlon would not give up the chase, King pushed his car to the limit through the next two stages. Making full use of his Mini’s good handling through the twists and turns of Sweet Lamb, he later made sure to carry
WORDS Ian Harden PHOTOS www.kpbphotography.co.uk
as much speed as possible through the fast, sweeping corners of Hafren forest. Arriving at the finish in Newtown, King had an ear-to-ear grin. “Today’s stages are some of the best I have ever driven,” he enthused. “It makes all the hassle of winter rebuilds worth it.” Runner-up O’Hanlon agreed with King’s sentiments. Bleeding his brakes at service had given him the confidence to push as hard as possible through the latter pair of stages and he felt he had got his Mini Cup title defence off to a good start. Dutson finished third, surviving what he described as “a bit of a moment” on
stage two, Myherin. “We were right near the Flying Finish: I just went a little too fast into the corner and we got into a big slide,” he said.
Beaming newcomers
Behind Dutson, Wynne Jones and Ray Evans brought their Ford Cortina Mk1 home to win class B3. The Welsh crew struggled early on when their intercom’s battery went flat, but thereafter they had an untroubled run. Unfortunately, the Cortina Mk1 crewed by Gwilym Roberts / Debby Myers blew its diff on stage one and retired on the spot. Rally newcomer Ken Davies, co-driven by the experienced Alan Jones, had a beaming smile as he drove through the finish, having brought his Volvo Amazon into fifth in only his second-ever rally. Displaying an impressive-looking blood blister on one of his fingers, he joked: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my day, in friendly company and on wonderful stages. But it’s taken a real toll on me: I’ve even blistered a digit with the effort!” Davies competed on the five-stage, 55-mile route taken by Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship crews, to get an upgrading signature on his competition licence, which he successfully gained. Throughout the day, the cars contesting the ‘old Stager’ Clubman’s series proved to be spectator favourites, drawing loud cheers and encouragement from the hundreds of people lining the stages. “At times, all we could see was ‘speccies’ waving us on: there was a fantastic atmosphere out there,” said King. “Overall, it’s a great start to a new championship; everybody is so friendly. We have a couple of new crews joining us for the Rally North Wales in April and we would love to see even more competitors coming to enjoy the series.”
RACE RESULTS 1 King/Ward Mackintosh 2 O ’Hanlon/Crook 4 Jones/Evans 3 Dutson/ 5 Davies/Jones
To follow the championship visit www.hrcr.co.uk and click on the Historic Stage Rally Challenge
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37
LOOKING BACK
UP TO SPEED
Motorsport
ROUN D 1 & 2
Minis shame the big boys at hscc opener
FEATURES
KNOWLEDGEBASE
But are put back in their place at Thruxton.
T
he Historic Sports Car Club got the 2013 historic racing season off to a flying start at Donington Park, on March 17, with some great racing and bumper grids as more than 250 competitors got their racing season underway. On a day that also celebrated the 80th anniversary of the earliest car racing at the East Midlands venue, a thrilling opener saw a wet start to racing with championship newcomer Peter Morgan taking a dramatic victory in the ByBox Historic Touring Car Championship as conditions favoured his Mini Cooper S over the American V8s. Morgan and Peter Crewes finished in a Mini onetwo as Richard Dutton slithered his Ford Mustang home third. The top five was dominated by the Minis on the track with Roger Godfrey and MiniMail’s Tim Harber taking fourth and fifth respectively. Colin Flynn followed up in his Cooper S in 21st.
WORDS Paul Lawrence PHOTOS Paul Lawrence
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be a repeat of the opening Round where the Minis dominated as the Ford Mustangs and Lotus Cortinas dominated the field. Godfrey was forced into early retirement on lap 4 and Dunnell finishing a lowly third from last.
Round 2
The bumper Easter weekend show at Thruxton on March 30-31 saw just two Minis turn out for the event with Roger Godfrey and David Dunnell competing. To follow the championship visit www.hscc.org.uk
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Motorsport
ROUN D 1 & 2
Combe double header sets the mightys off
Action-packed Minis for Howard’s Day.
Words STEVE NOLAN Photos STEVE NOLAN
T
he first round of the Mighty Mini and Super Mighty Mini championship at Castle Combe kicked off on the circuit’s traditional Easter race day - renamed this year as Howard’s day in tribute to the late owner of the track Howard Strawford. It was a cold early morning qualifying session for the Minis which ended up seeing Jonathan Lewis clinching pole by 0.313 seconds in the Mighty Minis and Peter Tavert getting pole for the Super Mighty Minis by just 0.274 seconds. It had warmed up a little by the time the races kicked off and as usual the Minis didn’t disappoint. The first race of the Mighty Minis was won by pole-setter Jonathan Lewis, whilst Super Mighty Mini pole-setter Peter Tavert ended up 5th with with Elliot Stafford taking the win. The second set of races began at the end of the day just as the sun started to break through the clouds. The Mightys saw Damien Harrington improve on his second place finish in race one to take first. While Elliot Stafford won race two of the Supers to take the double for the weekend.
Next event MAY 11-12 Silverstone To follow the championship visit www.mightyminis.co.uk
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39
UP TO SPEED
WORKSHOP Showing you how it is really done.
DIY TECH I Objective Replace the leaking oil seal which connects the rod change gear-lever to the gearbox.
LOOKING BACK
Submit your articles
Tools Gear linkage oil seal Gear linkage gaitor 24mm socket Axle stands Jack Hammer Drift or drill bit Screwdriver Oil drainage tray Oil Oil filter
Replacing the gear linkage oil seal That pesky little oil-leaker. If you don’t receive an ‘oil leak’ advisory on your MoT, then your Mini isn’t typical! But if you’re fed up of topping up your oil every couple of weeks through leakage, then here’s a handy guide for replacing the main culprit.
by Craig McBeth
The gear linkage oil seal is right at the back of the gearbox where the gear change rod attaches. A replacement seal and gaitor can be bought for a pound or so each, or an uprated kit can be bought for around £5.
A white t-shirt?
Time 45 minutes
1.
Prepare your Mini by chocking the rear wheels, jacking it up and placing it on axle stands. As you will be working directly underneath the car, ensure it is fully secure before moving underneath. Never leave the car supported by only a jack.
KNOWLEDGEBASE
Difficulty 4/10 Cost £2-£5
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2.
Using a 24mm or 15/16 socket, undo the oil drainage plug on the gearbox. Drain the oil from the engine into a suitable container. Clean the oil drainage plug.
3. FEATURES
Get under the car and look at the gear linkage. You will need room to fit a drift or drill bit into the hole to knock out the roll pin. Test to see if the drift will fit and that you can knock it with the hammer. If not, you will need to change gear in the cabin to rotate the linkage. This is easier if you have a helper to change gear for you.
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6.
4
Our seal was already loose, but you may need to use a thin flatheaded screwdriver to prise it out. Be careful not to score the chamber though.
4.
7.
5.
8.
Using the hammer, gently knock the roll pin out of the linkage hole. Sometimes it only comes out one way. Once the roll pin is out, the linkage should lift back and away.
Behind the seal is a metal O-ring which can be replaced in uprated kits. For standard seal replacement, just leave this in place. Get your new oil seal. Identify which way it fits in. Spread a thin layer of oil on the
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8 outer rim of the seal and slip it into place, ensuring an even fit. Press into place and gently, gently! tap it with a drift.
9.
Fit the new seal gaitor over the pin and reattach the gear linkage by refitting the roll pin.
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10
. Refit the oil drain plug with a smear of grease on the seal. Replace the oil filter by unscrewing it and screwing a new one on. Fill the car with oil and check for leaks. Job done.
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