Mini Magazine June 2022

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Rover’s special-edition Italian Job Mini, so to celebrate the occasion we’ve brought together a pair of Flame Red survivors. You might have spotted on the cover that they have consecutive registration numbers – and, as you’ll discover in the feature on p.38, these estranged twins have a few tales to tell. Other features this month pick out a broad spread of builds from mild to wild, and the second part of our mammoth Mini buying guide commences on p.72. Now, perhaps it’s time to address the elephant in the room: the MINIs that have been appearing at the tail end of the mag recently. There are a number of reasons for this, with the values of classic Minis being one - the days of…

“ Having never even been in a Mini before, I couldn’t stop grinning after my first drive in this one – I now totally get why they’re so popular!” For Stu Morris, it’s been quite a journey to arrive at this point; after all, we’re not talking about a test-drive of a finished car sitting gleaming on a dealer’s forecourt. No, before he was able to enjoy his debut in Mini-driving adventurousness, he had to build one first. This, indeed, is his inaugural attempt at crafting a Mini – and it’s fair to say that he’s pretty much nailed it on the first try, hasn’t he? Interestingly, it all began a fair few years back with a search for a classic Fiat 500. Stu had been idly wondering about picking up…

Packed grids and non-stop action were highlights of the opening Mini racing weekend at Silverstone on 26-27th March, rounds 1 & 2 in both the main Dunlop ‘National’ and in the ‘0-Plate’ Winter Challenges. Following Saturday qualifying in near-summertime conditions, Sunday morning was rather grey and cooler for the first Miglia/Libre race, but that didn’t prevent a fantastic battle among half-a-dozen challengers, Rupert Deeth converting his pole position into victory by a scant 0.171s margin ahead of Aaron Smith. This pair broke clear after a yellow flag interlude, leaving Chris Morgan to lead home the rest by several seconds. In the Libre category, Dan Lewis won the duel of the 8-ports from Craig Cox. A problem in qualifying and a delayed getaway meant reigning champion Andrew Jordan could only recover to 4th…

The Morris Motors Museum will be holding a Classic Mini Day on Sunday 26th June, which promises to be an interesting and friendly get-together. The Museum is part of The Oxford Bus Museum in Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire; it tells the story of William Morris, who became Lord Nuffield and built the factory in Cowley, and of the classic British cars and commercial vehicles produced at Cowley. The impressive collection of vintage Morris vehicles represents those produced during William Morris’s life. Exhibitors at the Classic Mini Day will be given refreshments and free access to the museum – Mini owners are invited to contact Paul Statham on rp_statham@yahoo.co.uk to book a place. The museum is close to Hanborough Railway Station, just off the A4095 in Long Hanborough.…

Springtime saw a new show held down in the South West. Organised by a new events company, Meilleur Mode, Cars on the Green promised to be a big season opener. With around 250 show slots available, a wide range of classics, rods, retro and modern cars piled into the grounds of the historic Downside Abbey, situated between Shepton Mallet and Midsomer Norton in Somerset. Show cars were parked on staggered grass levels outside the Abbey and up on a huge open field, which allowed lots of space to have a good look around the vehicles. Plenty of caterers were on site, along with a double-decker bus converted into a bar and a mobile barber if anyone fancied a short back ‘n’ sides. The sun shone throughout the day and made…

West Country Minis embarked on another long 'confidence run’ in March. These events are an opportunity for less experienced long-distance drivers to get confidence in themselves and their cars, over a minimum of 500 miles in two days. This also brings experience in how to convoy in a group, and how to react to breakdowns and unplanned route changes. Club member Ash Carrington proposed and planned the route for this one, taking the group of eleven cars from its start point in Bristol to Holyhead, right at the top of Anglesey. The route was planned to cover the distance efficiently with primary roads preferred - but with the lure of some stunning Welsh scenery, a diversion through some of the fantastic countryside and Snowdonia was always going to happen. Departing at a…