Mini Magazine November 2021

It would be easy to think that before too long, you would have seen all there is to see on the Mini scene. After all, it's all about one car, isn't it…? But as the selection of stories we've gathered in this month's magazine amply illustrates, there's always something new to see, things to learn, new experiences to be had - all around our favourite car. I had the great pleasure to go and meet Jon Sheppard, the owner of the stunning Honda turbo powered Z Car on the cover this month. After a brief stint away from the Mini scene, Jon couldn't shake the need to build a big power Mini and this is the result. Don't get the idea that this is a blank cheque job - the car was…

It would be easy to think that before too long, you would have seen all there is to see on the Mini scene. After all, it's all about one car, isn't it…? But as the selection of stories we've gathered in this month's magazine amply illustrates, there's always something new to see, things to learn, new experiences to be had - all around our favourite car. I had the great pleasure to go and meet Jon Sheppard, the owner of the stunning Honda turbo powered Z Car on the cover this month. After a brief stint away from the Mini scene, Jon couldn't shake the need to build a big power Mini and this is the result. Don't get the idea that this is a blank cheque job - the…

When Dave Back was a youngster, Minis were very much a part of his life. “I grew up with them,” he reminisces. “My dad had a blue Mini 1000, LYB 915P, which I adored, and our next door neighbour, Terry, had a white Clubman HPB 133K with a black roof and a tuned engine. It sounded fantastic. I soon started following the local motorsport scene, watching sprints at St Eval and the Tour of Cornwall rally – a highpoint being watching the Minis tackling the Imerys clay pits stage in St Austell.” Having developed such an affinity, when Dave was looking for a first car he chose a ‘94 Rover Cooper – registration number D8 ACK (the private plate was a present from his father). “This was 2001,” he recalls fondly.…

On 4th September enthusiastic members of the MINI Y REGister gathered at Plant Oxford to create a special display to honour 20 years of the modern MINI. The assembled cars were diligently arranged to create the words MINI 20. Of the 27 2001 built MINIS, 14 were OBLs (from the second batch of MINIS, registered in Bracknell from the BMW Head Office. These Y-OBL MINIs are the press and fleet MINIs made months before the cars that were made available to the general public). The group were joined by Markus Grueneisl, the new plant director who spent an hour and a half chatting with the enthusiasts. “I was very happy to be part of the MINI Y REGister’s celebration of 20 years of MINI this weekend. For me as plant manager…

When Dave Back was a youngster, Minis were very much a part of his life. “I grew up with them,” he reminisces. “My dad had a blue Mini 1000, LYB 915P, which I adored, and our next door neighbour, Terry, had a white Clubman HPB 133K with a black roof and a tuned engine. It sounded fantastic. I soon started following the local motorsport scene, watching sprints at St Eval and the Tour of Cornwall rally – a highpoint being watching the Minis tackling the Imerys clay pits stage in St Austell.” Having developed such an affinity, when Dave was looking for a first car he chose a ‘94 Rover Cooper – registration number D8 ACK (the private plate was a present from his father). “This was 2001,” he recalls…

No matter your age, visit the British Motor Museum this half term from 23 – 31 October to be dazzled by science! The Mad Scientists will be shining a light on headlamps and the science behind them. There will be illuminating hands-on sessions as they reflect on the science of lights with the amazing Lucas Collection, one of the world’s largest collections of historic lamps. Object handling with Professor Pickle or Doctor Pumpkin will run from 23 - 25 October and 29 – 31 October when they share the stories and the science behind the fascinating lights and mirrors in the Lucas Collection. Children will learn how they work, how they were made and what powered them. The Spotlight on Science Show will run from 26 - 28 October with a 30…