Mini Magazine August 2017

Minis in unfamiliar places is an underlying theme of this month’s issue. Or perhaps more accurately, unfamiliar Minis in unfamiliar places, because we’ve got a rare Portuguese Mini IMA rebuilt in Holland, an English Riley Elf being restored in a Slovenia and an early slab-front 1275 GT that was one of the very few sold in Italy! There’s certainly a very international flavour going on, and that’s without including our report on the Balkan Mini Day from page 32. That’s far from all though, for we’ve got four more main feature cars for you this month, making a total of seven - the most you’ll find in any classic Mini magazine. This month’s cover star is owned by 24-year-old George Harris, who has mixed historic racer styling cues with a…

How long do you reckon the average Joe hangs on to a brand new car? We’ve researched it for at least five minutes and the general consensus is around five years. Once those shiny new cars hit their perilous fifth birthday, hefty dual-mass flywheel and cam belt replacements looming, that’s apparently time to abandon ship. Obviously someone forgot to tell the Mini scene, Stacey Hextall especially. “I’ve had the car for over 25 years now, ever since I first passed my test at 17,” says long-term Mini fan Stacey, who’s no intention of ever moving on. “I only paid £200 for the car in the late ‘80s, and it was a mint little 998 when I first got it. It was a funny creamy beige colour, so I started doing…

BODY 1980 Mini 850, partially de-seamed, fully restored with host of new panels, removable custom bonnet and fibreglass bootlid, Arc Angels Group 2 arches, yellow headlamp covers, MkI Morris Cooper front grille, Austin Cooper bonnet badge, leather fuel filler bib, dummy right-hand filler neck, bullet door mirrors, polycarbonate windows. Paint: Rover Oyster Beige with OEW roof. ENGINE 1380cc Cooper S block, Omega 73.5mm dished forged pistons, MED con-rods, Kent 286 camshaft, MED duplex vernier timing gears, balanced re-ground heat-treated crankshaft, Stage 3 head, race valve springs, MED 1.5:1 roller rockers, lightweight flywheel with balanced clutch, swan-neck inlet manifold with Weber 40DCOE carburettor, K&N air filter, Maniflow LCB, Play Mini stainless exhaust system, MED oil cooler, oil catch tank, Fletcher aluminium radiator, MED high-torque starter motor, MED racing alternator, Megajolt ECU.…

This year’s Mini in the Park takes place at Santa Pod Raceway on August 12-13, marking the 20th anniversary of this popular event and 10 years at its current venue. The first show took place at Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire back in 1997, when Mini Magazine was barely a year old! The event has changed hands a few times and moved to a new location over its 20 years, but Mini Magazine has always been a constant presence and supporter. This year will be no exception, as we’ll be bringing together some great feature Minis from recent issues for you to lust over, and there will be a sneak preview of up-and- coming cars too! You’ll also be able to check out our Carole Nash-sponsored Mini Equinox LE prize car,…

• The Italian Job charity tour is going back to its roots in 2017, with pit-stops in Bologna, Imola, Modena, Venice and Turin. One of the highlights this year will include a very special private visit to Pagani to see how these stunning automobiles come to life. The small factory where these iconic supercars are hand-built is as perfectly formed as you might expect – see our February 2017 issue for Mini Magazine’s interview with founder Horacio Pagani . This is the 28th annual Italian Job event and since the first run in 1990, it’s raised an impressive £2.5million for children’s charities across the UK and from wherever teams come. Planning is already underway for the 30th anniversary Italian Job in 2019, and the organisers have some extra special surprises in…

• Hot on the heels of the National Metro and Mini Show last month, the British Motor Museum hosted the annual BMC and Leyland Show on July 2. It was an interesting show again this year, with everything from a mass invasion of TR7s, beige Austin Maxis and Princesses, later MGs and Rovers, and of course a selection of lovely Minis. The Minis made a good showing in the Show and Shine, with Malcolm Corbett’s smart Mini and matching trailer combo coming second in the 1980s class, Jason Field’s 1960 Austin Seven third in the 1960s class and Chris Morris’ MPi Cooper second in the 2000-onwards class. On the club stands the Cooper 500/2000 Mini Register put on a marvellous display as always, and there were plenty of cracking Minis…