Innehållsförteckning för February 2021 från Mini Magazine

Welcome to the first issue of Mini Magazine for 2021. It looks like it's going to be an exciting year, regardless of what Mother Nature decides to throw at us. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Mini Cooper, and you don't need to be told how different things would have been if John Cooper hadn't been as determined to turn transport for the midwife into a winner on the racetrack. We have some very special cars lined up for the coming months to mark the occassion, and we can't wait to see what the clubs have planned for this year. We also celebrate something of a milestone this year - with the June Issue we will be 25 years old. I was lucky enough to work on the…

Since its production, the Mini has been renowned as one of motorsport’s leading racing marques. The Fastest Mini in the World Race™, which will take place at the Mini Festival Brands Hatch on the 22 August, celebrates this accolade by inviting drivers with highly developed racing Minis to compete for the title. The race is becoming increasingly popular with over 9,000 signed up Mini racers and enthusiasts across social media. For 2021, Castrol Classic Oils will be the lead sponsor for the Fastest Mini in the World Race. Martin Bentley of Castrol Classic Oils says “We’re delighted and excited to confirm our involvement with this prestigious event. Our longstanding association with the Mini marque, that includes development and success in motorsport, underlines our continued enthusiasm to maximise competitor and spectator…

In accordance with the current government guidelines, Reis Race Retro will not be held in its usual February dateline in 2021 and will be postponed until further notice until a new date is determined. While the show won't be filling out the halls and rally stages at Stoneleigh in February Silverstone Auctions will still be running its Race Retro sale on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 March 2021. Organisers Clarion Events would like to thank all sponsors, partners, traders and visitors for their continued support during these unprecedented times. For further updates, visit www.raceretro.com…

We’ve seen some wild and impressive engine conversions in Minis over the years and we’re often left in awe at how much effort and expense owners are willing to put in to gain more power. The options for different engines seem endless and if you’re determined enough, there really is no limit to what you can do. Yet sometimes it’s too easy to overlook the potential of the good old A-series, especially if you start involving forced induction and superchargers! Rhys Lister originally had plans for a Vauxhall red top conversion in his ’92 Mini City E, but in the end he opted to retain the 1000cc A-series and bolt on an Eaton Supercharger, a decision he certainly doesn’t regret. It’s easy to see why Rhys has a strong love…

Cast your minds back to last year when we featured Gary Morgan’s stunning ’72 Pickup, a long term full-on rebuild that took over a decade to complete. Commercial Minis often led hard lives and the Pickup was no exception. Gary knew he had his work cut out and the amount of fabrication work, welding and new panels required seemed never ending. But with the help of a few mates along with his wife, Gary held on to his motivation and the Pickup finally made its return to the road. When we last spoke to Gary he mentioned his follow up project would be this early 1970 Mini 1275GT which again needed a full ground up restoration. As work has progressed, we were keen to take a closer look. Gary’s a…

Gareth Freeman’s association with the classic Mini goes back a number of years. It’s a family association too. One that actually started thanks to his sister. “It was a family thing,” recalls Gareth smiling. “We all chipped in and helped buy my sister a Mini as her first car. Over the next few years she drove it into the ground! When she decided to move onto something bigger, and more reliable, I bought it.” Having bought the, by now, rather careworn and mechanically tired Mini, Gareth, who was still at school, set to and fixed it up. As it transpired, fixing this Mini proved to be just the beginning for Gareth. “I’ve always been passionate about cars and have always loved Minis,” he enthuses. “With help from David, my brother,…

With long term projects, it’s easy to let the big milestones – paintwork completed, , engine – the fact that each of these big achievements involves hundreds of smaller tasks. And without completing these tasks in some kind of organised way, nothing actually moves forward. With the Downton, we have seen the project progress rapidly and had been excited to start thinking about firing up the long laid up engine. It’s a bit of a jem and had been built by Bryan Slark in the 90s. We were never really sure of its true output, and likewise, its full spec. But it was an awesome performer. Since it was removed from the car, it has been tucked away but was regularly turned over and oiled up. Before refitting the lump…

In the world of classic cars, there’s a direct correlation between the remaining number of any particular model and its value. The fewer the survivors, the higher the price. Thanks to the numbers produced, this phenomenon didn’t used to trouble Mini owners too much. But in recent years, this situation has changed quite drastically, particularly in relation to early cars and special models. And as numbers continue to fall, and values rocket, for the first time it actually makes financial sense to repatriate cars from around the globe – whether these are original home market cars, export models, or even locally built vehicles from the days of BMC satellite factories. Buying a Mini on the other side of the planet is never going to be a cheap option, but it…

After a disappointing 2020 for Mini enthusiasts, British Mini Club are very proud to be celebrating the 22nd year of Mini Fair on Sunday 28th March. This winter highlight attracts thousands of Mini fans from all over the UK and beyond each year. Mini Fair is one of the most well established and well-organised national Mini events of the year, with something for every enthusiast. The excellent indoor facilities include 200 seater restaurant and bars. Two levels of exhibition space, the main hall and two side halls with over 6,000 sq metres, tarmac roadways with ample free parking. The venue is easily accessed from the M6. BMC are adhering to the government guidelines to help make Mini Fair 2021 as safe as possible. This includes: Increased walkways to maintain social…

After an 8-year gap, organisers of the Italian Job Charity Car Rally, are bringing back The Mile of Mini challenge on Sunday 14th March to help raise funds for children who have been adversely affected by the pandemic. Set in the breathtaking Oxfordshire countryside The Mile of Mini challenge, is a fun driving day out for old Mini and new MINI owners and their families while raising vital funds for children’s charity Buttle UK. The day culminates with a record breaking challenge to park one mile of cars in succession along the TV track at Dorney Lake (the epicentre for high performance rowing and flat water canoeing in the UK and the site used as the 2012 Summer Olympic venue for rowing and canoe sprint). To ensure The Mile of…

Having one 170 bhp Yamaha R1 engine in the rear of a classic Mini is one surefire way of livening up its performance. Having two nestling there, ready and willing to give of their all, takes things to a whole new level. Famously, around two decades ago, Z Cars Limited (not to be confused with the new company: Z Cars Evolutions Limited) managed to shoehorn two Yamaha R1 engines, and their matching gearboxes into the rear of a Mini. More astonishing was that thanks to a great deal of creative thinking and engineering prowess and what can only be described as automotive alchemy, this quite bonkers set-up works. Rather magnificently as it happens. PETROLHEAD The feature car, believed to be the only twin bike-engined Mini on the road, was factory…

BIG BORE SWAP I bought my Mini as a project three years ago. It sounded like a good deal as it came with a garage full of spares and I wanted something I could learn mechanics on. It’s a 1980 Mini 1000. The engine had the cylinder head removed when I bought it, but with a little help from my mates, I managed to put it back together and get it running again. It was OK for a while, but it’s now making some pretty nasty noises and it uses more oil than petrol. One of the items that came with the car was a 1380 engine and gearbox. I know a 1275 engine can be fitted, but is this a straight swap in the same way? The Mini is…

Approaching Christmas, we found ourselves in a sea of boxes and packing materials, and not of the festive type. Moving house is rightfully believed to be one of life’s most stressful experiences, so happening across a bundle of old photographs that had been buried – probably since the last house move – proved to be a welcome distraction… I’ve written about my Mini owning history in these pages before, and it’s fair to say, a lot of Minis have passed through my hands over the years. They were all bought to use and drive – when I was younger, they were my only and everyday cars. The pictures I found were of two Minis that I owned in quick succession in the mid 90s, just about the time I found…

The British Motor Museum is gearing up to run a full schedule of motoring shows and events in 2021. At least 17 are being planned for 2021, including the return of several popular events that were cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020. 2021 will also see the return of the Gaydon Gathering, a free monthly evening event aimed at motoring enthusiasts. The first gathering took place on 13 October 2020, it will return for 2021 taking place on the second Tuesday of every month starting on 13 April. Those that attended the event in October will be given priority booking and will be contacted by the Museum prior to tickets being released for the general public to book. The popular Metro and Mini Show will take place on 6…

HISTORIC RALLY CAR REGISTER MINI SPORT CUP HISTORIC STAGE RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 EVENTS PROVISIONAL DATES ROUND 1 2nd May. Dixies Challenge, Epynt - www.forresterscarclub.com ROUND 2 20th June. Mid Summer Stages, Caerwent - www.forresterscarclub.com ROUND 3 4th July. Brawdy Stages, Haverfordwest - www.pembrokeshiremotorclub.com ROUND 4 25th July. Harry Flatters, Epynt - www.breconmotorclub.co.uk ROUNDS 5 & 6 3rd-4th September. The Tour of Flanders, Roesleare, Belgium - www.omloopvanvlaanderen.be ROUND 7 16th October. Wyedean Stages, Forest of Dean - www.wyedeanstages.co.uk ROUND 8 24th October. Cheviot Stages Rally, Otterburn Ranges, Northumberland - www.cheviotstages.org.uk To register for the 2021 Championship go to www.hrcr.co.uk For more information contact John Hunt, Championship Secretary, stage@hrcr.co.uk MINI SEVEN RACING CLUB PROVISIONAL 2021 CALENDAR ROUND 1 2nd May. Dixies Challenge, Epynt. www.forresterscarclub.com WINTER ROUNDS 1-3 27th-28th March - Silverstone International…

MELLOW YELLOW Name: Richard Singleton Car: 1982 Mini City Location: Southmoor, Near Abingdon • Richard picked up Mini “Cheddar” five years ago, it’s an 1982 City that had been saved from scrap by a man who used to be a panel beater. Richard’s first job was to remove the 80’s interior and badly custom-made clock surround. He then sourced a three-dial binnacle, removed the headrests and updated the interior. He soon noticed the engine was a little under powered and thought about finding a 1275 for it. He managed to source a unit from an MG Metro, stripped it and took it to Rob Walker Engineering to be machined. Rob convinced him to go all out so they took it to 1380cc, with a Piper fast road cam. Fast forward…

When the days get shorter and the temperature begins to drop you may well notice a change in the way your Mini behaves. It may become more difficult to start, or possibly refuse to start at all and things may decide they no longer wish to work. But if you follow our simple guide to winter preparation then you should be able to make it through to spring without too many dramas. The key here is prevention rather than cure, and by spending a few quid and a couple of hours of your time you should be able to enjoy trouble free motoring. Obviously there will always be the odd breakdown that can’t be prevented but again, heed our advice regarding the correct spares to carry with you so that…

MINI SPARES STAINLESS STEEL WINDOW RUNNERS From £20.76 per side The steel runners that held the channels on early Mini sliding windows tended to hold water and would rot like mad. Replacing them with original runners was fine for a time but sooner or later the replacements would also rust. Now, Mini Spares has a permanent solution - replacement runners made from stainless steel - yet another part that is exclusive to Mini Spares. • 01707 607700 • www.minispares.com WEBCON LINKAGE KIT From £87.50 For over 30 years, the Webcon designed and manufactured LP range of linkages have been the benchmark in terms of quality, adjustability and reliability. However, as with any world leading product, there are now a number of cheaply produced, poor quality copies on the market. These…

The rebuild of the MkI body has been moving along quite nicely but quite slowly. I started with this month on the heelboard and what a botch of a job I had done all those years ago to make the pattern floorpans fit. It really wasn’t a pretty sight. So once again, the trusty grinder has had a lot of work to do. Once I had removed the complete heelboard, I had to spend quite a long time tidying up the rear edges of the floorpans, getting rid of any excess weld and straightening everything up. That took just over a week – I’m not going in my garage every night and it’s only for about an hour or so at a time. When I started to line up the…