Innehållsförteckning för May 2024 från MiniWorld

Most issues of MiniWorld tend not to have any specific theme, but we make no apologies for this month’s magazine featuring mostly modified cars. It wasn’t necessarily planned that way. But for anyone who likes their Minis very much non-standard, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in the pages ahead. One of my own personal favourites is this issue’s front cover star – the Speedwell-influenced Austin Mini MkI Countryman of Dave Metcalfe. Not only does it really look the part, its 1293cc Stage 4 tuned A-series means it’s quicker and more entertaining than just about any other classic estate. Then there’s Elliott Cook’s supercharged Mini Studio 2 that’s been re-engineered to such a high standard, Feng Xiangxu’s personalised Cooper 1071 S with its expensively bespoke interior, and a racing-spec Mini…

If you fancy a trip to France this summer, you might want to consider joining in the fun at Mini Beer&Bretzel, an international classic Mini meeting that last year attracted participants from 15 different European countries. The 2024 event will be the third of its type, building on the success of the last two years to make it even more appealing. It all takes place at a camping village in Kembs, in the Alsace region of France (close to the German and Swiss border), over the five days of August 21-25. The entry fee is just €60 per person, which includes camping for all four nights as well as a welcome pack containing a T-shirt, rally plaque, stickers and more. Among the activities will be rocker cover racing and a…

Moving to the UK from China 15 years ago, to study, Feng Xiangxu soon found himself falling in love with Minis… as well as the country. “When I finished studying, I realised that I’d fallen for the UK and I wanted to stay here,” explains Feng, who now has a successful catering business. “The first car I owned over here was a modern MINI Countryman, which I bought in about 2018, after which I had a GP3. But my first classic version was an automatic Rover Mini, which I bought two years ago from my friend.” The reality of ownership, however, didn’t match Feng’s expectations: “In China, they are not allowed to drive ‘vintage’ cars. I thought the Rover would be easy to drive but, once I tried it, I…

Unique Wolseley If you thought the Hornet was the only Mini-derived model to officially wear the upright Wolseley radiator grille, think again. What we have here is the Wolseley 1000, a version that was unique to South Africa and the only one to use a Hornet-like front end on an otherwise standard Mini bodyshell. Sadly, the Wolseley 1000 was a short-lived offering, lasting just two years from its launch in 1967, during which time a mere 456 were produced. According to the Wolseley Register, only 18 are known to have survived, with two or three of those thought to have been imported to the UK. Sporty South African Often described as a 1275GT with a Cooper S engine, the Mini GTS – which launched in July 1973 – was built…

By the time this issue of MiniWorld goes on sale, we’ll be just a couple of months away from IMM2024, with the hard-working organisers currently putting the finishing touches to this twice-cancelled German edition of the International Mini Meeting, which kicks off on May 30 and runs through to June 3. Martin Ould of IMM2024 comments: “Never did we imagine back in 2019, when we were given the chance to host the IMM, that it would take over four and a half years to actually happen. Yet here we are in 2024, and for the first time in over 35 years a Mini anniversary will be held on the European continent.” This year’s IMM will be celebrating not only the 65th anniversary of the Mini, but also 60 years since…

Peter James Insurance has announced that it is partnering with both the National Metro & Mini Show (June 2) and the BMC & Leyland Show (July 14) at the British Motor Museum this summer. By sponsoring these ever-popular events, the company says it is “giving back to the motoring heritage of Britain”. Garry Carlin, head of classic at Peter James Insurance, comments: “It’s critical to our mission, as advocates for historic motoring, that we can contribute to important organisations like these, to help keep the spirit of these legendary vehicles alive for the future.” To find out more about either show, visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on.…

Such is the current popularity of classic cars, many of the talented specialists who spend their days professionally restoring them are now busier than ever. Of course, the standard of workmanship can vary depending on where you go for such services, but there are still restorers around who boast some incredible skills – and among these highly respected craftsmen is Dave Metcalfe. Dave spends most of his working days restoring Rolls-Royces and Bentleys from the 1920s and ’30s. “It’s quite a niche market but you’d be surprised how many of these old cars are still out there,” he tells us on the day of our photo shoot. “It certainly keeps me busy.” Originally, it was Dave’s father, Kevin, who helped create the desire to take up restoring cars as a…

Elliott Cook may not yet have reached his 30th birthday but he’s already packed a lot of Mini ownership into his years. He bought his first Mini, this Storm Grey 1990 Studio 2, 13 years ago and has since modified it to the point that he now describes it as a Studio 3: “My goal was to produce the car that Rover should have back in 1990, if they’d ignored the coin counters and made this model as good as it could be. It’s now supercharged and rebuilt to modern OEM standards, taking inspiration from my day job as an automotive design engineer for McLaren.” Growing up as a Mini fanatic, Elliott knew it was his ideal first-car choice: “I could maintain it on the budget I had, as long…

One problem experienced by restorers both professional and DIY is getting some of the aftermarket parts to fit correctly. Very often, you’ll find that some modification is required – and such issues can include getting the bootlid to shut when a new seal is fitted. We’re talking here about the seal that fits to the bootlid itself, not the later type that fits to the body. Apparently, many seals are too big and the rubber too hard, meaning that it’s very difficult to get a good fit for the bootlid – if it will even shut at all. I haven’t tried fitting a seal from any of the specialists, but recently I needed to fit a new seal to my Mini – something that I wasn’t concerned about doing as…

The Classic Minis United (CMU) club’s Mini 64 was a celebration of the 1960s mods, rockers and, of course, Minis. Taking place in Wytheville, Virginia, USA, last October at the club’s favourite KOA Campground, the location of Mods Rockers Minis was perfect for the three days of drives on the scenic and twisty mountain roads. Between the hundreds of miles of amazing roads, including ‘The Snake’ and ‘The Back of the Dragon’, this is truly the best location for fun Mini driving. The first day was the longest drive at 180 miles – a normal long day for the regulars that come to every event, but was it too much for the new members? Steve Marshall’s comment regarding the entire event summed it up: “I’m still bathing in the euphoria…

Mini fanatics who like to plan ahead should save the dates of next year’s International Mini Meeting, which returns to the UK for the first time since 2019. This major event, set to attract thousands of enthusiasts from around the world, will take place on August 21-25, 2025 at the Laughton Showground, near Lewes, East Sussex. Set in the picturesque South Downs National Park and less than an hour’s drive from Brighton, the location offers an ideal opportunity for visitors to make an extended summertime stay of it. Further details will be revealed nearer the time, but you can keep up to date by searching ‘IMM2025 Sussex’ on Facebook. And make sure you sign up for the event’s official newsletters at www.imm2025.org.…

Uprated Mini MkII Fresh in at Richard Williams Classic Minis at the time of writing is this 1968 Morris Mini MkII, restored and built to Fast Road spec by “an experienced engineer with a very good eye for quality”. The car still features its original shell but has been fitted with various new panels, while the engine was built by Bill Richards based around a Cooper S AEG312 block, bored to 1340cc. The engine uses the original S crank and rods, with Powermax pistons. On the end of the crank is a lightened flywheel with steel backplate and orange diaphragm, and on top of the block now sits a ported cylinder head from Mini Spares. The camshaft is a Piper 270. The car also benefits from a pair of HS4…

2024 April 4 Mod ’n’ Mini Night At London’s Ace Café on the first Thursday of every month, from 6pm. All Minis and their owners welcome, enjoying good food and a great atmosphere. https://london.acecafe.com 28 Mile of Minis Starting from MINI Plant Oxford at 8.30am, this fun road trip takes participants off the beaten track across Oxfordshire and into South Warwickshire. The final destination (currently under wraps) is described as “truly magnificent”. The event is a fundraiser for Buttle UK, and the cost of entry is £28 for a team of two. www.italianjob.com/mile-of-minis May 2 Mod ’n’ Mini Night At London’s Ace Café on the first Thursday of every month, from 6pm. All Minis and their owners welcome, enjoying good food and a great atmosphere. https://london.acecafe.com 4-5 Donington Historic Festival…

I am tuning my 1977 Mini 1000 and fitting a 1275 engine and twin SUs, plus 7.5in discs with 4.5x10 Cooper S wheels. I would like to make the interior similar to an S, including fitment of a 130mph speedometer. Is it possible to change the face of the speedo or does anyone make a conversion kit? John Mc Dowell As far as I am aware, no conversion kit of this type is or has ever been available – and even if it were, the speedo would probably need recalibrating. Reproduction Cooper S 130mph speedos suitable for a 3.44 final drive are available new, although they’re not cheap at over £300. A 130mph speedo will sometimes appear secondhand at Mini shows or online, but again aren’t cheap. The best option…

There comes a time with any bodywork restoration when the car needs to be painted. Of course, when the painting is being carried out by the same company that’s restored the body, it’s simply a case of moving the car into the paint booth. But often the body repair will have been done at home or, in the case of the 1972 Mini here, partly by an outside company and partly at home. In all cases, it is very important to choose a company that’s going to paint your Mini to your full satisfaction. There are a several factors to take into consideration with Minis as they have a number of peculiar features, such as the front wing seams and the gutter finishers, and these need to be finished and…

If this isn’t unique, I’ll eat my hat! Three Aussie guys take it in turns to set records and win championships in a Mini Moke that spent much of its early life as a rusting hulk in a back yard, playing the role of trellis to an enthusiastic gardener’s exotic plants. I’m getting the story direct from Scott, Andy and Jye, but the setting isn’t any of the tracks or hillclimbs that the three of them frequently tackle with the Moke. No, it’s the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron and we are surrounded by the spoils of victory in another highly competitive sport (this one on water). We’re not complaining, though. The sun is shining, the location is great, and these three guys have a real tale to tell. Scott reveals…