Mini Magazine
November 2021Mini 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 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…
looking back
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.…
the y register celebrate in style
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…
spotlight on science
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…
big love from munich
At the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, MINI presented its path towards sustainable mobility and an inclusive future for everyone based on the claim “We’re all different, but pretty good together”. For the duration of the trade fair, under the motto “BIG LOVE from Munich”, MINI contributed to the revitalisation of the vibrant industrial site in the suburbs of Munich called “Sugar Mountain”, which focuses on creativity, sport, personal fulfilment and community. The site of the former concrete factory is now enhanced by a multi-coloured mural on an old tower, designed by London-based artist Lakwena Maciver especially for the occasion. Lakwena’s artistic style thrives on bold statements and bright colours. Her aim is to make art accessible to everyone. This is why she mainly paints in public spaces, bringing art to…
24 hour mini race snetterton 28-29 august 2021
There is nothing in the world like the 24 hour Mini race! Every year for the last 10-odd years, Andy Slade has got together a group of mainly ex-Mighty Minis racers to take part calling it Mini-Grande24. They race with the Citroen 2CV’s to get the numbers up to make an economically viable race and this year seven teams (of four drivers each) took part with 23 2CV teams. (This is an encouragement: Dig out your aged race car for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. More Minis needed!) Cars are a 90’s Mini with a 998cc largely unmodified engine and gearbox with only a central oil pickup, cross pin diff and a 3.44 final drive in the gearbox. Power is normally checked before the race but significantly what was altered this year was…
