Mini Magazine September 2019
Mini Magazine: the perfect magazine for anyone who wants to get the best out of their classic Mini. Rammed with technical features, advice, inspirational feature cars and plenty of reader involvement. Please note: This digital version of the magazine does not currently include the covermount items or content you would find on printed newsstand copies
in this issue
welcome
It just seemed perfect that the issue of Mini Magazine that hits the shelves in the middle of August, almost sixty years to the day that the Mini was revealed to the public, carries the full story of Lars Søe-Jensen's wonderful Morris 131. This Mini is recognised as being the oldest surviving Morris Mini after 621 AOK, and as such, is the oldest production line car. We were thrilled to get the chance to shoot the Morris on the Cowley factory site, where the car was built. Things may well have changed beyond all recognition at the Oxfordshire plant since the Mini was dispatched for Denmark in 1959, but the management and workers at the plant have been delighted to see the Mini back at the works, and are justifiably proud…
first off the line
With show season solidly devoting itself to Mini 60, the oldest surviving Morris off the production line is part of the action and it all started with a trip back to Cowley. Five years ago, Lars Søe-Jensen made a promise to himself. He would take his Morris back to the Oxford Plant on the anniversary of its build date. On 15th May, Lars was filled with an immense sense of pride as he found himself and his flawlessly refurbished car outside the Cowley plant, exactly 60 years after it rolled off the production line. After this symbolic occasion, Lars returned home to Denmark, leaving the car at Cowley. The car has spent the summer at the Oxford Plant, where it has been celebrated as part of various internal events and proudly displayed…
king of the castle
On 7th July, as part of this year’s Car and Bike Show the organisers decided to try something a little bit special to celebrate 60 years of the Mini. In the stunning grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle near Bourne in Lincolnshire the challenge was to get at least one Mini from each year of manufacture from 1959 right through to 2019. This task was almost achieved, with only five years not being filled. Local clubs such as Bomber County Minis, Robin Hood, POSH Peterborough and Lincs Cooper Club were in attendance, as well as many others resulting in a fantastic turn out with over 85 Minis and MINIs from a variety of years. The earliest example was a 1961 Van, and the latest was a brand new MINI 60. This resulted…
the car. the future. me.
• This exciting, topical new exhibition exploring the future of the car is now open and will run until July 2020. The exhibition looks at the inventors of the first cars – some of which were powered by electricity – and their visions for the future. Visitors will be able to discover what designers in the 20th century thought cars would look like in the 21st century and whether their predictions have come true. The exhibition will explore the latest car technology. Visitors will also discover the world of autonomous vehicles and how much technology is in our cars today.…
power play
• Love them or hate them, electric cars are becoming a part of every manufacturers' line up. With much fanfare, MINI has unveiled the much anticipated zero emission MINI Electric with a major European launch. “We chose Rotterdam to showcase the new MINI Electric because quite simply, this city embodies what MINI is all about: Urban, edgy and forward-looking. It’s also a place that embraces electro-mobility, having already implemented a comprehensive charging network." "In a nutshell, it’s a city that points to the future. This is also our approach at the BMW Group. The MINI Electric is another milestone in our BMW Group electrification strategy. Of course, it’s also a milestone for Plant Oxford, the Home of MINI.” Explained Bernd Koerber, Senior Vice President MINI. “Emission free mobility is crucial for a sustainable…
fuchs classic mini
• The Fuchs Lubricants Classic Mini Challenge moved over the Irish Sea to Lisburn County Down and got the Down Rally for 52 miles of closed road action over 11 stages. It was a credit to the event that in its 60th year, the Mini brand was the well supported with two John Cooper WRC Minis in the top 3 in the hands of Jon Armstrong and Daniel Harper. Plus all six classic Minis finishing the thoroughly enjoyable event. Congratulations to the winning teams 1st Jim Brindle / Martin Young 2nd Jeff Robinson / Ian Evans 3rd Louise Thomas / Heidi Woodcock.…
