The Register

The E-Newsletter of The Mini Register

April 2010

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New Members

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to The Mini Register to:

Rodney Matewe and Ronald and Romeo Rubvuta, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe

1959 Austin Mini in White with 2 blue sport stripes called "madflame1"

Still original

"I bought it from a friend , it had worn rings and one bust piston, I bought another mini 850 engine and fitted it in since here in Zimbabwe there are a lot of mini owners but no spares"

Gary and Aidan Williams, Wallasey, Merseyside, UK

1989 Mini Mayfair auto in Black called Monster - fitted with 13 inch wide wheels, bucket seats, lamp pod and SPI 1275 engine with twin 1 1/2 SU

"I've been classic Mini mad since the age of 17 I'm 46 now had about 15 Minis most saloons some Clubmans. My Mini I own now I've had for 5 years and has gone though many changes, engine is now a Cooper SPI engine with fast road cam and twin 1 1/2 SUs, wide 13 inch wheels  and wide arches"

Mark Feather, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK

1980 Mini Clubman saloon in Tahiti blue called Lilly

Marks 1100 Clubman is fitted with Corba seats and alloy wheels

Wyn Griffiths, Wrexham, Wales, UK

1966 Mini Cooper in Black

Thomas Crookes & Robyn Garner, Wootton, Bedfordshire, UK

1989 Mini Racing Green in the standard British Racing Green called Dave

Dave is fitted with a fibreglass front end and stage 5 fibreglass wheel arches, straight through centre exhaust. No engine mods as yet!!

Gordon Paterson, Redding, Stirlingshire, Scotland, UK

1985 Mini City in Blue called Bitsy

"I like Minis, mine is a 1985 city in blue, its name is bitsy. She had been on the road from May 09. My wife and children put her through the m.o.t for my birthday. On the 24th of May bitsy took me and Rob on the Thistle Run. Run by the Mini Clan it was fab, Bitsy never let me down . I have lots of photos."

Za Duduzile, Johannesburg, South Africa

1981 Leyland Mini in Orange called Lil' Flaco and fitted with a sun roof

Ben Lloyd, Stockport, Cheshire, UK

1976 Mini 1275 GT in Black called Graham

"I recently purchased this car from a guy in Leeds. any clues on it's history the reg is RGW555R. also known as roger."

June Frier, Hastings, East Sussex, UK

2007 MINI Cooper in Black called Betty

Wil Williams, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK

1981 Mini pick-up which at the moment is multi-coloured and goes by the affectionate name  of "Money guzzler" as it is the process of a bare metal rebuild

Craig McBeth, Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK

1991 Mini Cooper in Quicksilver fitted with a Stage 1 kit and Anthracite Minilites.

John & Elizabeth Roberts, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK

1966 850 Morris Mini-Minor in White called Betty

"on going referb, owner since 1983, has been off the road and garaged since 01/06/1983. I have started work but due to one thing and another not a lot has been done. Mileage is 51369, it has had 3 owners.

I have now retired and am starting to carry out a full restoration which will involve fitting a complete floor assy, front wings, front panel assy grille,along with both "a" posts. The engine will have a complete overhaul and the head converted to unleaded, and the body shell will be stripped back to bare metal and repainted."

Sarah Brindle, Blackburn, Lancs, UK

2008 MINI Cooper S called Pepsi fitted with a JCW Stage 1 Tuning Kit and JCW Spoiler

"A dedicated Mini owner since 2nd Nov 1981 (the day I passed my test) I am currently the proud owner of Pepsi, Mini number 12. I used to attend a lot of shows in the 90s but dropped out of the scene in 2002 for reasons I won't go into and my Mini 30 went to Mini heaven in 2004. I have been looking out for my perfect second (weekend) Mini for over 12 months now to replace my little Honda Beat, nothing yet but I'm optimistic for this year."

Paul and Sylvia Edwards,  Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK

2006 MINI Cooper S in Grey with a Black roof.

"52 year old postman thinks he is 21 again car bought Dec 2009 in standard trim"

Harry and Ken Jones, Wigan, Lancs, UK

1982 Mini Mayfair in Light green

"I have just bought this car as a shell but in good nick with a few parts and I believe a seized engine! Hoping to rebuild as body is sound and to put on the road for my 17th which gives us approx 18 months for the project (with a little help of course). I have guessed the year as we have the chassis and engine numbers but no idea of the reg. So am hoping to reg as rebuild with the DVLA."

Vinnie, Lousey, Joe, and Georgie Whittie, Coulsdon, Surrey, UK

1989 Mini Thirty in Black called Snake

"I just replaced the original Philips with a Sony CD cause the Philips sadly broke. Still using original speakers, as good as new.  :o)

Not long got the Mini Thirty & already love it. Its an almost mint garage kept luck find (that's a 1st for me with cars) & I intend on keeping it that way ;O)"

Mark Robinson, Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago

2003 MINI Cooper S in Silver

Les and Barbara Bowyer, Groby, Leicestershire, UK

1995 Rover Mini Sidewalk in Kingfisher Blue called Sebastian

"We were given "sebastian" by someone who could no longer give him the care he needed, so the job now is to give him some tlc and look after him the best we can."

Brian Clark, Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales, UK

1976 Mini Van in Mustard called Taz in original condition

"bought as a restoration, he has had new floorpans and new wings that apart from minor bodywork he is good condition"

Paul Harris, Droitwich, Worcestershire, UK

1971 MK 3 Austin Mini Cooper S in Blaze which is as standard from the factory and fitted webasto sunroof

This is the last ever registered Cooper S and the last of 3 ever built at Longbridge.

James Taylor, Northampton, UK

1993  Italian Job LE in White called Flo, fitted with a Walnut dash, centre exit twin DTM exhaust, Superlite Alloy wheels, Black grill instead of white, CD player and uprated headlamps.

"I purchased Flo September 09, she had no name at the time, and she was in a runable condition but upon taking her to my local specialist I found she had a few problems that needed to be sorted, £2500 later, she has been stripped down and rebuilt with a respray to bring her back to her former glory, and now she's as good as the day she rolled off the assembly line, better even."

William Morris, Cape Town  Western Cape, South Africa

Mini Clubman 1275E in Green

"This is my first Mini and its getting me around the great city of Cape Town"

Michael Butler, Great Barr, Birmingham, UK

We don't have any car details for Michael.

Jon Broom, Winkleigh, Devon, UK

1966 Mini Pick up in Grey

Victoria Couchman, Sutton, Surrey, UK

2004 MINI Cooper S JCW in Red called Monty

Jeanette and Matthew Jones, Halesworth, Suffolk, UK

1992 Mini British Open Classic in British Racing Green called Kinky which is completely original with only 33,000 miles on the clock. It also has a full service history.

1980 Mini Pick-up in Old English White called Ubbadubba fitted with

"My husband and I have become Mini nuts, I own 2 British Open Classics, one is totally original with only 33,000 miles on the clock with fsh, the other is bright orange with sportspack arches and 13x7 wheels, with chrome finishes. My husband is now on his 4th pickup. One is on the road with 10x6 alloys and wide arches, walnut dash, cooper seats and is in old English white. He has a 60's one now being renovated, and a 70's one in need of renovation and another 60's one down to bare metal waiting for a respray. And there have been more!! But we cant keep them all."

Jack Davey, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs, UK

1988 Mini Jet Black called Molly

 "Bought Molly march 2010, intend to restore it to its former glory as and when funds will allow."

Leon Rial, Hull, East Yorkshire, UK

"I am at the moment looking out for a Mini project...ie complete rebuild."

Wayne and Karen Williams, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, UK

2002 MINI Cooper S R53 in Electric Blue called Chelsea which is fully loaded with every conceivable extra from BMW i.e satnav, arm rest ,napa leather etc

Sy Bottomley, Basildon, Essex, UK

1987 Mini City E in Red called Moggie

Sophie Bharj, Swanscombe, Kent, UK

1989 Mini Thirty in Cherry called Pip

"Purchased this year from an old lady who had her from brand new. Is in mint condition with a 2 pence size of rust on drivers side but it is only surface rust, other then that she runs perfectly. Has been garaged and probably driven about 50mph all her life. Hasn't got any other problems and no modifications apart from a new clutch but don't know if that counts. lovely little car and a perfect buy, was lucky!!!"

Dr Julie Palais, Arlington, Virginia, USA

2010 MINI Cooper in Chili Red called Ruby

"I've decided to name my car Ruby after the British dog of the same name who recently was nursed back to health by a team of veterinarians at Cambridge University: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2010031903"

Philip and Anna James, Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK

1989 Mini Thirty automatic in Cherry red called Ruby which has been converted to run on unleaded fuel.

"We love her originality and aim to keep her that way"

Robert Williams, Penzance, Cornwall, UK

2003 MINI Cooper in Green called Rastus

Dhr Johan Van Lent, Gorinchem, Nederland

1990 Austin Mini in Black

David Skinner, Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scotland, UK

1986 Mini Chelsea in Red called Dolly

"I bought my Mini in 2009, loved Minis since a boy. Having searched the Internet for 6 months I gave up looking in Scotland and bought my baby from Chester. Drove her up to Edinburgh then home to Cannich and she never missed a beat the whole way! Ran around in her for a while, joined Inverness Mini club and went on the first Mini run over an amazingly steep mountain road

Over shot a corner, did a couple of revolutions and ended up facing the way we were going in the first place, having broken the radius arm and put a small hole in the passenger floor and buckled two wheels! No injuries to driver or passenger fortunately. Finally got her home injured and having picked up a garage near home I am now getting ready for the stripdown and full refit. She is registered as a Mini Chelsea 998cc but has Cooper strips and badges and the Cooper badge on the bonnet in red with a white roof with black bumpers and wheel trims. So.......what should the authentic Chelsea colours and badges etc look like? Done want to do the full restoration without finding out a bit more about what the full spec should be. Any help / info would be much appreciated. Cheers."

Adrian Darke, Hereford, Herefordshire, UK

1990 Mini Racing Flame in Black fitted with Hi-lo's all round, Spax gas adjustables all round, 1275 MG Metro engine, negative camber bottom arms, Sportspack arches and 7j13 Superlites.

Mystery Member

Is this you?, we got your notes but no personal details.

"I am 65 years old, and have just returned to Mini - ing after a lapse of about 8 years. I have also returned to motorcycling after a break of 12 years (withdrawal symptoms too severe!). I am now retired having spent the bulk of my working life employed by Michelin Tyre Co. Since the sixties I have had a number of Minis. Both of my daughters were taught to drive in "elderly" Minis which were then given to them. From 1993 my elder daughter had an "Italian Job" and I got back into the cars in 1995 with "DBU". This started as a 1978 City but was fitted with a modified MG Metro engine, a 1275GT (close ratio) gearbox, better radiator, disc brakes and 12" alloys, plus the 1275GT interior. This was replaced by a "Chelsea" which was fitted with most of the running gear from "DBU". Later came a "Mini Flame" with stage 2 head. The final Mini was a Pick Up fitted with an extended cab, with 2 sunroofs. It also had an MG Metro turbo engine and vented discs. Over the years "DBU", "The Chelsea" and "The Flame" went all over the country in the company of "The Italian Job". We did the London To Brighton 7 times, likewise Mile of Minis at Gaydon, the Guiness World Record at Spalding, Mini Mania at South Shields, Mini 40 Cavalcade at Silverstone,plus a number of Mini In The Parks at various venues and Himley Mini days. We regularly clocked up around 450 miles in a day. I have now bought a British Open Classic which was, literally TWO DAYS away from being crushed because the guy wanted to buy a new BMW! It was refurbished in about 2004 - 5 but has been standing for some years (luckily under cover!) so things like the wheels need attention i.e re-chrome"

Members update

You may remember that Dave has an ex-GPO Mini Van that was being restored for him by a professional restorer. Well unfortunately the restorer has gone out of business which has left him with a significant problem. With no mechanical skills or workshop space Dave thinks that he may have to sell the partly restored van, it still needs some work doing and some parts. This would be a great shame but if you are interested, we can pass on your details.

Noel Durdant-Hollamby, Sevenoaks, Kent, UK

Noel has sent us a photo from the Goodwood Revival last year when Rowan Atkinson jumped the queue and he set off after him in his ex Police Mini

"Well it’s been a really hectic season for the Police car, and without wishing to bore the pants off everybody, all the details can be found on the cars website www.policeminicooper.co.uk . We’ve started the season at Goodwood in March at the ‘Mini Mayhem’ Breakfast Club Meeting, and from there finished at the Goodwood revival for three days where we chased Rowan Atkinson in his only live performance as Mr Bean. Along the way we did Brooklands, the L2B, Brands Hatch, Dunsfold, and many more, and so I thought it worthwhile to write a book about it all which contains over 200 photos, and can be previewed and bought at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/970291 .

We’re starting January off in much the same way really, going back to Dunsfold to chase a MkII Jag on the Top Gear runway for Andrew Roberts, a well known freelance journalist, for inclusion in MiniWorld later next year."

Shiela Forbes, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

Thank you for the kind welcome. I have attached a photo of Dougall and one of him with specy whom he replaced. Specy was a brilliant little car.  Just kept going with nothing other basic maintenance. It was with a great deal of regret that I decided to sell him. His mileage was incredibly high so it was time for him to have a less demanding owner. Dougall now sports specy's reg plate.

Crystal Palace

Once the scene of amazingly exciting battles between Minis, Escorts, Anglias, Imps and Vivas the Crystal Palace racing circuit is to open again with a two-day sprint event will be run over the May Bank Holiday weekend (30-31 May 2010).

Celebrating the rich history of motorsport at Crystal Palace, a host of modern and vintage cars will be competing for the accolade of fastest car at the Park. Many of these vehicles raced at the Palace decades ago, and spectators will have a unique opportunity to see these classic machines reacquainted with Britain's oldest purpose-built race track. There will also be a new category for electric and alternative-powered cars, providing visitors with a glimpse of things to come, both on the race track and the road.

Competitors will race along a section of the old track, incorporating Pond Hairpin, the Big Tree Bend part of the Terrace Straight and the infamous North Tower Crescent - in a bid to set the fastest time of the day.

Crystal Palace is the oldest motor racing circuit in the world, being first used for the purpose in 1899. Races were originally run around the perimeter of the venue, until a purpose-built track was created in 1937. After the Second World War, racing returned to Crystal Palace and the circuit hosted an important international fixture until 1972, when modern safety standards, combined with a lack of funds, brought an end to racing at the venue.

See http://www.motorsportatthepalace.co.uk for more details

MoWoG

I was asked one of those ‘simple’ questions the other day. You know the type where you should know the answer but which on further investigation results in a lot of time and effort because you really didn’t know in the first place.

The simple question was “What does MOWOG stand for?”

For the uninitiated 'MoWoG' (not MOWOG note the lower case o) was cast into many castings used in, Austin, Austin Healey, MG, Riley, Wolseley and Morris vehicles over many years. And there are several versions amongst aficionados as to what it means.

In the MG owners club they say 'MoWoG' is the name of a god that has to be appeased with many offerings of fluids and expensive new parts, otherwise 'he' (or more probably 'she') will cause breakdowns at most inopportune moments. As I don’t own an MG I assume this is some kind of ‘in’ joke.

I have read several different explanations for the name ranging from Morris Works Group, through Morris Wolesley Group to Morris Wolseley Garages in several normally reliable sources. A spokesman for BMIHT in the first issue of their magazine answered the specific question by categorically stating that it stood for 'Group'. However he then went on to say 'But why would anyone want to know?' which really puts his position as a spokesman in serious doubt in my mind – of course we want to know!

One thing appears as fact and that is it does not appear on castings until after Morris acquired Wolseley. Furthermore a check of the records reveals that there never was either a registered Morris Wolsely Group or even Morris Wolsely Garages mentioned elsewhere. In short there never was a 'Morris Wolseley Group' as an organisation, just 'Morris Motors Ltd'

From the information I have seen it probably represents the merger of Morris Motors, Wolseley and MG and the use of common designations from that point. Most agree that the 'Mo' stands for 'Morris' and the 'Wo' for 'Wolseley'. But where does the ‘G’ come from?

The source of the greater part of the explanation is David Knowles incredibly detailed book - MG The Untold Story. David relates how Wolseley and MG were owned personally by Lord Nuffield until he was convinced to merge it with Morris Motors in 1935.

He states that, once part of Morris Motors and with all design being carried out at Cowley, the chassis and engine number prefixes and suffixes for Morris was ‘M’ Wolseley was 'W' and MG was 'G'.

Not very prosaic but there you go Mo (Morris) Wo (Wolseley) G (MG).

By Chris Lee

 New life for Mini 30

New member Paul Harris is MD of The Spray Shop in Bromsgrove and has sent in these photos of a Mini 30 project that he and is son completed.

The economics of the project are: the car was bought for £800 and sold for £4,000, so we had £3,200 to carry out the restoration. They had intended to take it to the Mini shows, but it was sold due to the amount of interest. The Body Shop charge a labour rate of £30 per hour for restoration projects on Mini classics.

MINI Countryman

Once again, BMW have dug into the history of the original Mini to find a name for their latest derivative in the MINI range, but any mental images the name may conjure up of a wood clad estate will be rather wide of the mark - but there again a lack of a square front was no obstacle to the use of the Clubman name.

The Countryman moniker now adorns a large, chunky, 4 door variant of the brand. In addition to the 4 doors, the car has a large upwards hinging tailgate which provides access to 350 litres or luggage space (up from the 230 of the Clubman). The rear seats can be moved forwards increasing the luggage space to 1170 litres. The cost of this extra space and the additional leg room is length - the Countryman is the first MINI to exceed 4 metres. It is 398 mm longer than a MINI Hatch (at 4097mm), 316 mm wider (at 1,789 mm) and 170 mm higher (at 1577mm)

Although referred to as the 4x4, the ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive system is an optional extra but only on the Cooper S and Cooper D versions, the One, One D and Cooper models are front-wheel drive only. The ALL4 systems includes an electrohydraulic differential that varys the power split from front to rear in an infinite process. Under normal driving conditions up to 50 per cent of the engine’s power goes to the rear wheels, under extreme conditions up to 100 per cent. Power comes from a range of the 1600cc engines from the 89bhp in the One through to the turbocharged 181bhp in the Cooper S. In all cases the power reaches the transmission through either a 6 speed manual or the optional six-speed automatic gearbox with steering-wheel mounted paddles.

DSC ( Dynamic Stability Control) is standard across the range and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) although standard for the 4-wheel drive S and Cooper D models can also be added as an option with 2-wheel drive. There is also the option of an electronic limited-slip differential for 2-wheel drive. Fuel-saving additions include brake energy recuperation, a stop/start system and a gearchange indicator.

The Countryman is equipped with 16 inch wheels on One and Cooper (alloy wheels on the Cooper), with 17 inch alloys on Cooper S. Options of 18 and 19 inch wheels in various styles are available.

UK models will be built as five seat cars, although customers can specify the four seat option at no extra cost. New to the Countryman is the centre-rail which runs the length of the cabin to which accessories such as cup holders, storage boxes, power chargers, music players and mobile phones may be clipped.

The cabin is crammed full of kit too. On top of the standard air-con and built in CD player, buyers can opt for a panoramic roof, adaptive headlights and high-end audio and navigation systems. Exterior additions include alloy wheels ranging from 16 to 19 inches and lowered sports suspension.

The standard equipment includes:

• Roof rails that facilitate various attachments like roof boxes or roof racks
• Thatcham Category 1 alarm system
• Air conditioning
• Heated door mirrors and washer jets
• Rear park distance control
• MINI Central Rail system.
• Multi-function rear seats - the five seat fitment being standard in the UK, although the four seat option will be at no cost.
• Dynamic Stability Control
• Electric power steering with Servotronic speed-related assistance
• Six airbags
• ISOFIX child safety seat mountings
• Tyre puncture warning system
• Standard Central Bass Hi Fi system with six speakers
• DAB digital radio with Radio Boost.
• Bluetooth telephone preparation
• USB connection.
• Passenger Airbag deactivation

The Countryman will go on sale in September, with prices starting at around £17,000.

Collection clearout

Russ Swift is having a clearout and has the following Minis for sale

1991 Mini Cooper, red/white 35,000 miles, full history - £3500

1990 Mini Minor, white, 44,000 miles - Only one produced -£6000

1966 Cooper historic rally car, excellent spec -£8500

Ex Roger Holder Championship winning Autotest car, red/white - £6000.

Not forgetting his roots in Autotesting, Russ is prepared to sell the Ex Roger Holder car for less. 

MINI Beachcomber

BMW took their MINI Beachcomber Concept car to the Detroit Motor Show in January

Although they quote the Mini Moke as its inspiration, it owes more in appearance to the very limited run of Mini Beech cars from the 1960's

Bearing in mind that the Detroit Motor Show pre-dated the leaked pictures of the Countryman which forced an earlier than planned launch, it is clear to see that the Beachcomber was intended as a taster to the new addition to the range. Add the B post back in and bolt some doors on and you would be hard pressed to see the difference.

In order to remove the doors and most of the roof, the A and D posts have been reinforced to compensate.

Where are they now?

Don't ask me why but I am trying to locate some information on my Dads old cars. One of which was a Light blue Mini (850 I think) The reg was 1045 DD ( I can remember all his reg plates!) and was bought about 1962/3. It spent all of its time in and around Cheltenham. We had it till about 1970 when  a sudden burst in family income meant we could move up to a Ford Corsair 1600E - Woohoo.

Rob Thomas

If you can help Rob, let us know and we will pass on the details

Events

3 - 5 April - UK - 6th Silly Mini Sunday The Dawlish Area, Devon

18th April - UK - Bury Mini Club Suffolk Run

30th April - 3rd May - UK - Riviera Run Trevelgue Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall

7 - 9 May - Ireland - Mizen to Malin run Irish Mini Owners Club   

21-24 May - Germany - IMM 2010, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz

21-24 May - Greece - Adriatic & Ionian Classic Rally

6th June - South Africa MOCSA will be visiting the Voortrekker Monument and have their AGM and a picnic/braai/social

12-14 June - Australia - Hay Nationals Mini Club of South Australia

13th June - UK - New MINI Day, Wicksteed Park, Kettering

That's it, please let us know what is going on in your part of the world.

Keep in touch

Mike Bennett
theregister@miniregister.co.uk

The opinions expressed in The Register are those of the members and not necessarily those of The Mini Register.

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