Mini Magazine August 2020

Inspiration can come in many forms, and as the Minis we've featured this month show, also in many shades and even levels of shininess... We're bringing you pretty much the full spectrum of Minis (and Mini owners) this month, from the sublime to the downright crazy. Charlie Mitcham's superb Nardo Grey street racer takes centre stage, and it's not so much the parts he's used, but the way they all work together so well. It seems strange to say it, but grey is a hot colour at the moment. But if the detailing isn't right, there's a chance the finished Mini can be just a little too subtle. Charlie's car makes fantastic use of red accents throughout, and then the killer blow comes in the form of that superb interior.…

Setting out the dream spec of your Mini can be tricky. Faced with a rusty, clapped out donor, or even more extreme, a bare shell and a pile of parts, seeing the finished car in every detail can be difficult. And sometimes, in the process of a build, things can change a little. Or a lot… Budget, trends and fashions, advice from friends – all can have an effect on how your Mini transforms from pipe dream to hard reality. Charlie Mitcham strikes you as the sort of person who knew exactly what he wanted, even before he’d picked up a spanner. The 22-year-old electrician is clearly chuffed with how his Mini has turned out. But he also admits that even though he knew where he was going with the…

BODY Mini saloon, painted Audi RS Nardo Grey. Powder-coated subframes. Carbon Weezel Miglia arches, Carbon Weezel bumpers. MkI grill and moustache. MkII rear lights. Multi colour changing Angel eye headlights. All bulbs replaced with LED. ENGINE 1330cc A-plus, ported cylinder head, SU HIF44 carb, MED substack with ITG air filter, Swiftune SW5 camshaft. Duplex timing gears. Maniflow exhaust manifold and system. Facet fuel pump with Filter King fuel pressure regulator. DSN classic red billet engine accessories including thermostat housing, heater take off, engine steady, wiper cover, bonnet hinges. SUSPENSION Hi-Los all round, GAZ lowered shock absorbers. TRANSMISSION Standard four-speed manual, rebuilt by Gloucester Road Gearboxes. KAD quickshifter. BRAKES 7.5-inch disc brakes with Mini Sport four-pot alloy calipers. Minifins. Dual circuit, non-servo assisted. WHEELS AND TYRES Specialist Components D4 10x7 split…

From the team behind Specialist Components comes a very exciting development in the world of classic Minis and electric powered classic cars. Volt-EV (Volt Electric Vehicles) is a new company occupying a separate building to SC, though they are on the same site and Volt-EV is being engineered and manufactured in conjunction with SC. Volt-EV will stand out from the crowd in that the vehicles will be designed and engineered, they won’t simply be an electric powertrain dropped into a classic car. Weight distribution, structure, ride and handling, braking, ergonomics, comfort, range and performance have been considered “holistically”, resulting in a classic car able to operate in the 2020s with the overall driving and ownership experience that SC are striving for. Enter the R300. Born from the desire to create…

• The British Motor Museum was delighted to reopen on Saturday 4 July. The Museum has received its 'Good to Go' industry standard mark from VisitEngland and was excited to welcome visitors back through its doors. As part of a phased reopening plan, it is now open Friday to Monday each week. Visitor numbers will be limited so anyone planning to visit, including annual pass holders, will need to book in advance via the website and chose a timed arrival slot. Annual passes and gift tickets have automatically been extended by four months. The Museum has put in place all the necessary measures and risk assessments including safety screens and contactless payment at all pay points, hand sanitiser stations, social distancing reminders and markers, one-way entrance/exit and enhanced cleaning regimes.…

• It’s rare for us to get through a shoot for Mini Mag without someone mentioning Caffeine & Machine. It’s a petrolhead paradise and we’ve been smarting from not being able to visit. Support for C&M during lockdown has been strong with people buying merch from their online Emporium, tagging them in social media and keeping the team buoyant with messages of support. None of this has gone unnoticed by the team at Caffeine & Machine. Phil and Dan have taken care over the last few months to create a plan that offers the best safety options, maintains the environment and adheres to the Government guidelines. Caffeine and Machine reopened on Saturday July 11. You must prebook tickets to attend for now (using the form on their website). These tickets…