Mini Magazine February 2020
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
We're already starting to get excited about 2020, and as you'll see elsewhere in this issue, our plans for the year - and more specifically, the Minis we plan to enjoy - are already coming together. A new car has joined the Mini Magazine fleet, and I can't wait to get my hands dirty on this one. We spend a lot of time around tuned and race prepared cars, and I have to admit, the thought of actually getting to take part in some kind of track based or motorsport activity rather than sitting on the sidelines with camera in hand has long appealed. Thanks to readers, Clive and Scott Harrigan, I'm now one step closer. And even if the car doesn't take us all the way to track glory, like all…
sting in the tail
Despite not learning to drive until the age of 32, Tina Riordan has made up for lost time when it comes to the varied world of modified classic cars. Her husband Chris happens to be heavily involved in various motorsports. “Tina supported me during my many days spent drag racing, hill climbing and taking part in sprints and trackdays,” Chris explains, “it was great to see her becoming as keen as I was and more involved.” A motley selection of cars passed through Tina’s hands, many of which could now be described as classics, including a 2.0 MkII Escort, 2.0 Capri, a Cavalier SRi and a Mazda MX5 to name but a few. “In 2003 I came across a blue BMW MINI Cooper for sale on a forecourt,” Tina recalls, “that…
tech spec
BODY Standard 1967 Wolseley Hornet with Old English White and Trafalgar Blue paintwork. ENGINE 1275cc A-series overbored to 1380cc, big valve head, HIF 44 carb, electronic distributor/ ignition, Maniflow LCB manifold and single silencer exhaust, DEI heat wrap, anti run on valve, Viper coil. SUSPENSION Koni Classic shock absorbers, Hi-Los. TRANSMISSION Standard four-speed box. BRAKES Mini Cooper S 7.5 inch front discs, Mini Cooper S rear drums, braided hoses. WHEELS AND TYRES Mini Cooper S steel wheels with modified Wolseley hub caps, Falken 165/70/10 tyres. INTERIOR New headlining, recovered seats (Newton Commercial), new carpets, subframes refurbished and painted, new dash panel, under dash power source plug, electronic speedo.…
get your motor running
As Autosport celebrates its 70th year, anticipation is high for Autosport International and it has been confirmed that F1 race winner Charles Leclerc will be the star guest. As part of the proceedings, high-profile leaders from across the world of motorsport will come together to discuss the future of motorsport in the Motorsport Leaders Business Forum. The Motorsport Leaders Business Forum will make up part of the Autosport Business Forum during the show’s second trade day on Friday, 10 January at Birmingham’s NEC. For its second year as part of Europe’s largest motorsport show, it will consist of two primary sessions along with other events hosted and moderated by Motorsport Network President James Allen. While the Motorsport Leaders Business Forum will take place on one of Autosport International’s trade days, the show…
museum pieces
• The British Motor Museum’s Archive has unveiled an online catalogue for their Archives Revealed project, entitled ‘The Art of Selling.’ The unique collection of Sales and Press Material originating from British Leyland and their competitors at home and abroad has been catalogued thanks to funding from The National Archives, The Pilgrims Trust, The Wolfson Foundation and The Foyle Foundation. In June 2018 £30K was awarded, to pay for the employment of an archivist, Katie Finn, to sort and catalogue the collection, training volunteers to work on the collection and on future new projects, as well as archive materials to rehouse the documents. Work on the project began in Autumn 2018 and so far as taken well over 3,000 hours to complete. Over 500 boxes have been sorted and nearly 16,500…
come into power
• The rise of the zero emission vehicle continues with the new all-electric MINI Cooper SE which will hit the road in Spring 2020, priced from £24,400 on the road. Almost noiseless, the new car is powered by a 135 kW/184 hp electric motor which will offer lively performance. To aid handling, the high-voltage battery is located deep in the underbody and so shifts the vehicle’s centre of gravity down considerably. And the hallmark suspension set-up also contributes to the fact that electric mobility goes hand in hand with the typical MINI go-kart feeling for the very first time. The new MINI Cooper SE accelerates from zero to 60 km/h in 3.9 seconds and from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. In addition to its agile handling characteristics,…
