Mini World July 2022

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Emma Slocombe's Mini ice cream van from the July 2022 issue of MiniWorld. Photo: Jim Jupp 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

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[ Modified 1988 Mini City E ] 54 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER Marc Drew’s three favourite things are Minis, Adidas trainers, which are of course adorned with three stripes, and 1980s hip-hop music. His Mini had to incorporate all three. Words: Karen Drury. Photos: Andy Starkey “I’m into Adidas and collect Adidas trainers. I’ve got around 40 pairs so the Mini has a bit of an Adidas theme to it,” explains Marc Drew. Check out the three stripes along the side of his Mini which, at first, look similar to 1275GT stripes. They have been cleverly designed to incorporate the Adidas logo. Brilliant. He bought the modified 1988 Mini City E in Birmingham, in July 2016, for £3,500. He wasn’t new to Minis, having been bought one by his dad when he was 15 and having owned eight in total. “I’ve got three grown-up kids so it had probably been getting on for 10 years since I had owned a Mini and I always wanted another one. I looked for a while and they were all really rusty and falling apart. This one had been repainted so it seemed like a good starting point for a project.” It had been painted in Porsche Python Green and had black accents such as the roof, arches, bumpers and » 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 55

[ Modified 1988 Mini Cit E ] “The second time I drove it the engine blew up. I had to get the engine rebuilt and it started from there.” door handles. “I don’t particularly like the Mini while keeping it on the road. and an 11-stud ported head. Sensibly, green cars to be honest,” he laughs. He entrusted JW Engines, in he got the engine set up on Southam Mini and Metro Centre’s rolling road “It’s a City E Auto, converted to manual, Tamworth, to rebuild the 1380 which, where it achieved 90bhp. “I was told to and it came with a 1380cc engine. It had thankfully wasn’t in too bad a way change a few things. I’ve changed the little skinny wheels and thin wheel arches as most of the components were carb to an HIF44 and the distributor. It on it and standard seats. A lot of money salvageable and no overbore was has a Swiftune CSI one now, electronic has been spent on it over the years, not required. “The camshaft packed up so we ignition, and the OE air filter has been just by me. The second time I drove it the had to change that. Luckily the block was removed and an aftermarket air filter has engine blew up. I had to get the engine OK and the Omega 73.5mm pistons were been fitted. So it might be a bit faster rebuilt and it started from there.” Over OK.” A CA4 cam, from Mini Sport, was now.” He had a rocker cover painted » the years Marc modified and improved chosen, along with a Metro Turbo crank When Marc bought it the Mini had already Repairs were made to the bodywork and it Marc is a keen collector of Adidas footwear been painted green with a black roof. was repainted in the same colours in 2020. and owns around 40 pairs of trainers. 56 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

The dash is covered in stickers Marc has collected. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 57

[ Modified 1988 Mini Cit E ] “There were a few little crusty bits on it but it wasn’t bad and still solid. I was expecting worse.” Marc fitted Cosmic alloys and added to the retro styling with a rear window louvre which took ages to source. OWNER PROFILE with the Adidas logo and stripes. much as he can to improve the Mini’s Towards the end of 2019 the Mini had styling. “It’s got carbon Gp6 arches from Marc Drew Japan and it’s got carbon bumpers, started to look a bit tired. “It needed a mirrors and rear number plate housing Occupation: Ceiling fixer new A-panel and it had a few rusty bits. from Carbon Weezel.” RetroSport door Most embarrassing When we were in lockdown in 2020 I handles were fitted too. “I changed Mini moment? Watching obviously wasn’t using it so I thought the Mk1 grille for one with spotlights my back wheel roll it was the best time to get it done so to make it a bit different. It’s got one past me on my way to I got the outside painted in the same of those window louvres on the back Stanford Hall Mini show green and black by my local garage. window which took me about two years Are you obsessed There were a few little crusty bits on it to find. It’s an original 1980s one. The with your Mini? Yeah but it wasn’t bad and still solid. I was old-school parts are really hard to find.” What’s your music of the moment? expecting worse.” Marc then bought the 1980s hip hop vinyl stripes for the side of the Mini. Marc had bought the Mini with New skills learnt during the project? Patience 12” Minilites but changed them “I’ve changed everything on the to 6x10” Cosmic alloys from John whole car,” he explains. He has kept the Brown Wheels. “I obviously had to » green and black theme but replaced as 58 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

The 1380cc engine came with the Mini but it had to be rebuilt soon after Marc bought it. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION Modified 1988 Mini City E Engine: 1275cc A-series, overbored to 1380cc . rebuilt rod-change gearbox . KAD Quick Shift . Suspension: over-mats . RetroSport black-anodised handle set . OE by JW Engines . Omega 73.5mm pistons . 11-stud A+ Rubber-cone suspension . OE subframes . Hi-Los . OE headlining . black leather gearstick gaiter, handbrake head, ported by JW Engines . Mini Sport CA4 cam . Mini dampers . Brakes: Servo-assisted . Front: 7.5” discs . gaiter . VW Beetle cup holder . stereo head unit . two Spares fast road double valve springs . New Metro Turbo gold-anodised Mini Sport calipers . EBC Greenstuff pads . 6x9” speakers under rear seat . Carbon Weezel rear-view crankshaft . Mini Spares inlet manifold . Swiftune CSI Rear: Super Minifins . Wheels/Tyres: 6x10\" Cosmic alloy mirror . Exterior: Replacement A-panel . Porsche distributor . electronic ignition . NGK BPR6ES plugs . wheels . Yokohama A008 165/60R10 tyres . Interior: Python Green paint, black roof . Gp6 carbon-fibre arches 8mm Lumenition HT leads . single SU HIF44 carburettor SPi Mini seats re-trimmed in black diamond-stitched from Japan . Halogen headlights . Mk2 rear lights . . new air filter (not pictured) . black, green rocker leather . Newton Commercial black carpet, door cards Carbon Weezel rear number plate housing, door mirrors, cover with Adidas stripes . Performance: 90bhp . . custom ‘sticker’ dashboard . OE three-clock binnacle . bumpers . Mk1 2-spotlight grille, Wipac spotlights . Mk1 Gearbox: Mini four-speed, manual, four-synchro Moto-Lita Paddy Hopkirk steering wheel . Paddy Hopkirk grille moustache . plastic louvred rear window cover . 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 59

[ Modified 1988 Mini Cit E ] “I’ve changed every single thing on it except for the bodyshell as I’d like it to be different to any other Mini.” change the discs and calipers and it’s got good Greenstuff pads.” He kept the original line-of-sight gauges but fitted a dash plank which has been covered in stickers. The head unit in the dash blares out Marc’s beloved hip-hop tunes from the 6x9 speakers under the rear seat. He also fitted black door cards and carpet from Newton Commercial and some SPi Mini seats which have been re-trimmed with diamond-stitched black leather. Naturally the rear-view mirror is held in a carbon-fibre housing. A Moto-Lita Paddy Hopkirk leather-rim steering wheel has been fitted and one of the sun visors has been autographed by the man himself. It also has Paddy Hopkirk Monte over-mats. In fact, the Mini has been named ‘Paddy’ by Marc. He enjoys driving it to shows and on local club runs, with Solihull Classic Mini Club and Thames Valley Mini Club, and will no doubt keep tweaking it. “I just keep wasting money on it,” he laughs, as he tells me that he has spent £12,000 on the Mini in the six years he’s owned it. “I’ve changed every single thing on it except for the bodyshell as I’d like it to be different to any other Mini. I’m trying.” 60 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

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My Mini Show off! Win! To get your Mini on these pages, email [email protected] with photos of you and your Mini, plus information (put ‘My Mini’ in the subject box) or post to: MiniWorld My Mini, Kelsey Publishing Ltd, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL, UK. If your Mini is awarded the 'We Love It’ badge, you’ll win a goody pack, courtesy of Meguiar’s (www.meguiars.co.uk). Email us to claim your prize. My Mini Every Mini deserves its moment of fame and so do you... Daphne Bradshaw WE family my husband Paul continued rear subframes. IT! 1971 Morris Mini 1000 to use the car for work. We call her She has never Florence after the character on the TV been off the I bought my Mini in 1971 after I passed programme The Magic Roundabout. my test earlier that year. It was supplied Through the years she has attended road for any by WH Gatwards, Maidstone, at £805.73. many shows and events including, This included many extras: locking the London to Brighton Mini Run period and also petrol cap, seat belts, bonnet lock, wing twice, Mini Day at Beaulieu and mirrors, reversing light and underseal. lots of local classic car shows. has never been to The choice of colour was limited to Teal Blue, Bedouin or Blaze. I chose Blaze Over the years Paul has repaired and a garage for repair. She [BLVC 16] and was not sure at first but maintained Florence: door skins, wings, grew to love it. I would have liked a A-panels, inner and outer sills, rear has the original engine and gearbox Mini Countryman but, being young, valance, scuttle front panel and three I could not wait to save any more. and has 32,826 miles on the clock. After I married and we had a This is the second time around! Happy birthday Florence. 50 years with the same owner and looking forward to lots more years. A recent photo of Me and the 1994, after me and my Mini. Mini in 1974. a respray. 1992 L2B. 1992: Paul is the Mini's personal mechanic. The original bill of sale. Paul and the Mini, summer 1974. 62 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

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[ 1998 Mini P l Smith LE ] DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE When Jon Miller took on a 1998 Paul Smith LE tidy-up project he had no idea it would be as challenging as it turned out to be. Words: Karen Drury. Photos: Andy Starkey. “My first car was a Mini and there has always been one in my family,” explains Jon Miller, whose list of special Minis owned includes a Cooper Sport 500, Cooper 35 S, Mk3 Cooper S, 1275GT and a Mini 40 LE. The sought-after Rover Paul Smith LE Mini eluded him until he bought one in 2017. The Paul Smith LE was a Rover limited edition Mini built in collaboration with British fashion designer Paul Smith. Paul opened his first shop in his native Nottingham in 1970 and launched his own 'Paul Smith' label in 1976. He was awarded a knighthood in 2001. In 1997 Rover offered him a Mini, which he had customised with stripes in 26 colours which became known as the 'Artcar'. It was displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1997 and at other motor shows in 1998. Over the years, Paul has been pictured with various striped Minis and diecast models of his striped Minis have also been produced. Such Minis are often depicted on some of his products today. Rover’s production Paul Smith limited edition Mini was launched in 1998. Only 300 examples of the car were made in ‘Paul Smith’ Blue for the UK » 64 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

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[ 1998 Mini P l Smith LE ] “I could have driven it as it was but, once I started, it soon turned into a complete nut and bolt resto.” market. Japanese Mini buyers had 1,500 interior trim comprised black leather blue with the little styling cues of the Paul Smith LEs in Black or Old English seats, ruched leather door pockets, lime. They are, in my opinion, the coolest White. Japanese versions had sealed body-colour dash and there were Citrus of Minis. Paul Smith himself is not only rear windows as they were equipped Green highlights in the glovebox and a British design legend, and I would with air-conditioning. When asked by boot. The engine was a 1275cc MPi unit literally wear nothing else if I could afford Rover which shade of blue he wanted with a green rocker cover. The Mini had it, but so too is the legendary British for the UK-market Minis, Paul said: two spotlights and there was an option Mini. To have both together in a car is “This kind,” pointing to the shirt he was for two additional spotlights and corner the ultimate style icon. There was always wearing. He cut off a piece which was bars with overriders at the front. something about a Smithy I thought scanned and sent to the paint shop. was underestimated and undervalued “We were living in Canada and we against much more common Coopers.” The understated styling included needed a car for our return,” explains some special badges including a hand- Jon. “With complete disregard for Because he was still abroad, Jon asked glazed Paul Smith bonnet badge with the practicalities of having a wife and his friend Andy Moss to pick up the Mini real gold plate, a Citrus Green badge three kids I bought a Smithy!” He was for him. “He went down and had a look depicting Great Britain on the grille searching for this model in particular. at it and I bought it as a bit of a 'do- and a chrome GB badge on the boot “I was looking for a Paul Smith as I'd er-upper' we could work on together. lid. Wheels were the same Charcoal already owned Coopers and Clubmans Although it was bought as a bit of a 12” Minilite-style alloys as used on the – you name it, I had them – but I’d never project I didn’t realise it was so much Cooper 35 LE and Monte Carlo LE. The owned a Smithy and always loved that of a project until I got it back home. 66 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

Even so, I thought I could use it for a around the headlights and the common months turned into years. I was walking while and do a couple of improvements rust areas but it had previously been in the garage and looking at a carcass before maybe moving it on. It looked filled there so there was nothing else of a car for three or four years. There OK from 6’ away but once we began we I could do really apart from strip it all was little progress being made as we soon realised it needed some serious back and put a new wing on; the same needed specialist equipment we did work and it soon turned into a complete with the A-panels and rear valance.” not have for the holes in the floor which nut and bolt resto,” recalls Jon. were not immediately apparent until Jon and Andy enjoyed the dismantling the stripdown. While we did start to “It had the usual second-gear synchro process but the project began to drag. do some of the bodywork and sort out crunch, which meant that the engine “Ultimately work, private life and family the rear subframe there was painfully » had to come out, so I started looking got in the way so, before I knew it, the Paul Smith LEs came with two spotlights but the original owner of this one chose the option of four. Front overriders with corner bars were also an optional extra. Wheels were refurbished by Wheelrite of Chorley. Fashion designer Paul Smith. Photo: BMW. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 67

[ 1998 Mini P l Smith LE ] slow progress and it just ground to a halt. I realised that we had bitten off The build more than we could chew.” Jon says his wife, Lisa, was getting fed up with seeing it in such a sorry state. “Every time she went in the garage there was this thing, that had money tied up in it, going nowhere. I really believe she thought it was simply scrap metal.” He put the Mini up for sale as an unfinished project but soon changed his mind. “I was going to lose so much money that I thought I had better bite the bullet and go the whole hog. Besides, I had all the parts and bought the panels from Moss, and that cost me a few quid. If I was ever going to see it finished it had to go to a professional restorer. I put the feelers out for a decent Mini When Jon stripped the Mini he found that one He fitted a new wing to the bodyshell in Further repairs were made by Craig Webb. It of the wings had rusted through quite badly. his home garage using BMH body paneis. was then epoxy-coated and high-build primer... ...was applied. The underside was then acid- The bodyshell was then painted in two-pack Although the engine had not covered a high etch-primed and then U-pol Raptor was used. paint in the original colour of Paul Smith Blue. mileage, it was refreshed for longevity. Jon spent hours refurbishing and painting the The painted bodyshell was then built up with There were a few variations from standard such Mini's metal components which were refitted. all its components by Craig Webb Restorations. as these alloy brake calipers from Mini Sport. 68 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

restorer and found Craig, of Craig Webb the end using sub-contractors. The which complement the blue paint and tie Restorations, in Chorley, Lancashire, paint was applied by Cooper Car and in nicely with the gold bonnet badge.” who specialises in Mini restos.” Commercial. “It left my garage and it came back as the finished article. The Thankfully the Mini had been bought Craig contacted Jon regularly with paint is absolutely flawless. Craig would with all the correct badges and most progress updates. “He’d send pictures ask if I wanted to fit the old part or a of the right bits. “The thing I’m most every week showing what he’d done and new part.” Jon had already cleaned up proud of is the postcard. When it was then the eye-watering invoice would most of the parts. “When it was stripped first bought, Rover sent out a Paul Smith correspond with the work done that down I took the time to clean every postcard to the original owner saying: week so there was steady progress. single nut, bolt, engine part, every little ‘Congratulations, you’ve got one of 1,800 He gave me hundreds of photos of bit of trim plastic, pipe work, wiring loom Paul Smiths’. How many of those are the rebuild so it is fully documented.” and cleaned all the headlining and the still with their car? I have the Paul Smith The Mini required new A-panels, the seats and put leather balm on them. brochure in the carrier bag and the driver’s-side sill, door skins, front I deep cleaned the carpets so Craig tool roll.” He also has a file of receipts panel, rear valance and a wing. “They wasn’t given messy parts. There were which document the Mini’s history.” were all OE parts, of course, as I didn’t some bits and pieces where I got new want to risk poor fit and bad shut parts. The pistons in the brake calipers Unfortunately, it didn’t have its lines with after-market panels.” had seized so I upgraded them with original stereo. “I struggled with the gorgeous gold calipers, from Mini Sport, radio as it had an after-market Parrot Craig did the bodywork repairs and Bluetooth thing. Obviously there are managed the restoration through to Rover-logo ones but it’s difficult to » The Paul Smith LE's understated design continued inside with a flash of Citrus Green in the glovebox (see below). Jon cleaned up the interior which was in great condition. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 69

[ 1998 Mini P l Smith LE ] find the Mini one, with ‘Mini’ on the tape deck, so I had to go on forums. Thankfully, someone from the Cooper Sport 500 Register forum sold me one.” Some new suspension components were fitted. “The bottom arms were a bit too far gone so were replaced for new. The whole car was poly-bushed and Mini Sport adjustable trumpets were fitted. I spent a lot of time cleaning up the original rear subframe but so good was the rest of the car underneath, when it was done, that I felt the old, pitted subframe let it down. At this point I was a little OCD and ended up buying a new one.” Gaz OWNER PROFILE Jon Miller Occupation: Packaging Engineer First Mini: A 1978 Mini 1000, when I was 17, in that horrendous brown Hobbies: Walking, cricket and cooking Favourite Mini supplier? Mini Sport What appeals to you about the Mini? They are iconic and beautiful. Driving a Mini gives me so much enjoyment and makes people happy as it passes by 70 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

“I was obsessed with having the best possible Smithy that was better than original.” adjustable dampers were chosen to The Mini’s restoration cost totalled special. It literally is brand new; as if tie in with the gold accent theme. around £16,000 and Jon is very happy it’s just come off the production line.” with the end product. “I was obsessed Jon was keen to future-proof the with having the best possible Smithy He also sees the Mini as a long-term Mini. “My Smithy was subject to epoxy that was better than original.” investment. “There’s that much money coating, then high-build primer. The invested in it now that, if I sold it, I’m underside was acid-etch-primed, There were a few teething troubles. risking losing money. Every year the U-pol colour raptor was used and then “Nothing serious but the immobiliser values of Smithys are flying up so I feel coated in two-pack Paul Smith Blue.” didn’t work at first and the fuel line they are now getting the attention they popped out, which saw my two youngest deserve with an 8,000-miler selling The 1275 MPi engine had only help me push it into a pub car park, recently for £23,000 even though it covered 23,000 miles but Jon wanted which means they’ve already had the needed quite a bit of work. So I think it refreshed. The work was carried true Mini experience,” he laughs. I’ll keep it for the odd sunny day to out by Classic and Retro Restoration. potter around the village and local “It was mechanically pretty new but Jon has a dilemma. “The biggest classic car shows but, ultimately, if everything was cleaned down: new problem, of course, is not using it somebody wanted a brand new Paul seals, pistons, rings, gaskets, all polished as much as I thought I would. When Smith then, for the right money, I might so it’s like a brand-new engine. It’s something like this is so perfect, and be tempted to let it go. Although the spotless, like God intended.” The gearbox as clean underneath as it is on top, kids would kill me if I sold it!” was rebuilt by RACE Motorsport. it can only be driven for a few days a year, which is such a pity. Once Jon Miller would like to thank: Sadly, the original Citrus Green spark dirt gets stuck in nooks and crannies “My wife, Lisa, for her patience with plug leads could not be re-used. “When they’re a pain to clean. I like to keep having car parts laying around for it was all back together it just wasn’t it all shiny and pristine in the garage. four years; Andy Moss for being a giving the power as it needed new HT When people come over and see it good friend; Craig Webb Restorations leads so, foresaking originality, I had to they can’t believe how good it is. To (www.facebook.com/Craig-Webb- get some new HT leads that are not lime be honest, neither can I. I’ve seen Restorations) for being as OCD as I am.” green.” A Fletcher exhaust manifold and rebuilds before but this one’s something side-exit exhaust system were also fitted. 1275cc MPi engine with its original Citrus Green rocker cover. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 71

PART 1 OF 2 LIFE IN THE FAST LANE In the 1960s Martin Davidson raced Minis successfully as a privateer, despite strong opposition from his parents. Words: Karen Drury. Photos: Jim Jupp and Martin Davidson’s archive. Martin kept an album of photos Martin Davidson may and clippings from his racing days. not be a well-known name in Mini racing circles (partly because he used the pseudonym Harry Martin) but he was involved in pushing the boundaries when it came to Mini tuning and encouraging top racers to drive their Minis even faster. MiniWorld caught up with him a few months ago but sadly Martin passed away before his story could be printed. He was an energetic, fun-seeking character who was evidently a petrol- head and speed-freak and he had clearly been like that since his early days growing up in Ealing, London. “I was always mad on racing and went to my first Grand Prix in ’58, at Silverstone, when I was 17. I taught myself to drive, when I was about nine, on a Fergie tractor. I practiced double- de-clutching on that and always drove my father’s cars on private land. I passed my test on my 17th birthday. My first car was an MG PA which I bought for £50. My father lent me the money. The cylinder head cracked within the first week and I took it apart on our kitchen table and I put it all back together again. I sold it for £100 and bought a PB for £100. I had that for a time until I bought a long-wheelbase Aston LeMans. Then I bought an MG TC-engined spaceframe special which was fairly rare. Then my father said he would lend me the money to go and buy a sensible road car and I turned up with this Mini. I chose to buy a Mini because we knew it would win. I think I bought it in the end of July 1961.” Martin’s friend Gerry Marshall who, at the time, was not a racer but would go on to be a world-famous racing driver and motorsport writer, helped him to 72 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

Martin racing WER 113 at Mallory Park in 1962. buy the car. “Gerry was my mentor then. from Doc, he and Gerry went to Whitmore, and I did 67.9 so we knew We used to drink together and he found Brands Hatch on a Wednesday. “I got that it would walk all the 850s.” the ad in Autosport. He used to get it on down to 69 seconds and I’d never a Wednesday evening, somewhere in been round a racetrack before and Martin’s parents disapproved of London, before they were officially out. the next Wednesday I went down motorsport. “I quickly put all the trim He rang me up and we both went up and the lap record was 68.4, by John back in the Mini. It still had plastic to Cambridge the next day.” The 873cc windows. My father was a solicitor and » Mini, WER 113, had been previously raced by Cambridge-based GP George Some of Martin's racing trophies. Although he misplaced a number of his awards and trophies in house ‘Doc’ Shepherd who won the 1960 moves over the years, he was proud to have kept hold of the first and last cups he won in WER 113. British Touring Car Championship in an Austin A40 and 1960 1000cc British Saloon Car Championship. “I think a standard Mini was about £525 new and he wanted £500 for the Mini and I did the deal with him immediately after I drove it. He made me drive it as he said he wasn’t going to sell it to an idiot. He’d got given two DKW 1000cc two-strokes, by DKW Works, to race so that’s why he sold the Mini. Doc was saloon car champion and he had an 850 that was prepared by Marshall Brothers. He went to school with Harry Weslake. Weslake always built his engines and they were definitely better than Don Moore’s or even Downton’s ones and this little thing would do about 110.” As soon as he bought the Mini 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 73

[ Life in the fast lane Part 1 of 2 ] I remember taking him to the office, “Martin began racing under the with his Gladstone bag, and it didn’t have a silencer so it was incredibly noisy. He said: ‘Are all Minis like this name of Harry Martin so that son?’ and I just kept quiet.” Martin was due to follow in his father’s footsteps and was studying articles at law. his parents were unaware.” His first race was a sprint at Goodwood on 23 Sept 1961, which he won. “The first cup I won was a little BARC cup which was won on my in Warren Street so quickly I thought: Mini lap record. Mine was an 850 and birthday – my 21st birthday. I took ‘I’ve got to paint it another colour so he his was a 1000cc but there were no it down to Goodwood for a sprint. doesn’t recognise it’. I painted it blue Coopers then obviously. Unfortunately, Danny Richmond had got a prototype with a white roof and started racing the results were in the Telegraph and 1080 or something like that in an 850 it in blue on Easter Monday 1962.” one of my father’s clients saw it and Mini and I beat him [possibly a 1200cc At Brands Hatch, on that Easter said: ‘Oh Charles, I see your young engine] so he was sick as a dog.” Monday 1962, Martin was on the grid son is motor racing,’ and all hell let “At the end of 1961 I resprayed the for his first saloon car race, which he loose.” He further disappointed his Mini because my father said: ‘You’ve won, and also the three races after parents by changing career. “I did my got to sell it and give me the money that. “My first race was at Brands on articles. I passed my exams but never back’ so I paid him the money back, the Easter Monday meeting. I won took my finals. That was one stage financed it from a second-hand dealer the race and broke John Whitmore’s too far. I then studied accountancy.” Martin began racing under the name of Harry Martin so that his parents were unaware. “Brian Claydon [of Newtune], the person that looked after the Mini originally, used to call me Harry, not Martin, because I was as mad as [comedy actor] Harry Worth. I thought that they call me Harry and other friends call me Martin so I’ll just call myself Harry Martin.” Gerry Marshall apparently called him Hairy Harry. As a number of racers did in those days, Martin used the Mini as a runaround. “I never had a trailer. I always drove everywhere. I did 30,000 miles a year and, just before a meeting at Brands, the Mini’s crankshaft broke. I bought a half block from MG and BMC dealers University Motors in Mayfair and they gave me trade. That was on the Saturday night.” A mechanic built This photo and below: WER 113 before it was painted blue. up the engine. “Overnight he put a Probably at a 1961 Goodwood Sprint. brand new engine in, unbalanced, and I drove it down to Brands but I had to start on the back row of the grid.” The race was on 22 July 1962. He had managed to qualify for the race the day before, in a borrowed Mini, and asked his friend Rob Mackie to go and tell the racers on the left to get out of the way at the start of the race. “You’re not allowed to do it now but I drove off at Paddock and drove up the grass all the way up outside of Druids. I got from the back of the field to third by the time they were coming out of Druids on the first lap.” By lap seven he had caught up with the race leaders. He collided with Barry Hall’s car and shot off into the concrete wall at the paddock tunnel. “This was my sixth race, on 22 July ‘62, and I had won four out of the five of my first races and in this one I broke the lap record again and somebody hit me in the passenger door.” » 74 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

The aftermath of Martin's accident at Brands Hatch on 22 July 1962. Martin's friend Gerry Marshall can be seen inside the Mini, trying to remove Martin from the back seat area. Martin racing in Mini 56 at Snetterton in 1962. That's Frank Williams in the A40. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 75

[ Life in the fast lane Part 1 of 2 ] Safety measures were primitive “I had a helmet and a full six-point into the back seat. They reckon I was compared with today’s motorsport harness, otherwise I would have been doing about 105 into that barrier. It was procedures and crowds were only barely dead because the impact pulled the floor a bridge going underneath at Paddock; protected from high-speed cars by up where the fixings were and that’s in those days that was concrete and mounds of earth. Roll-over bars, which what allowed me to hit my head on the just had two straw bales in front of it. were designed by a fellow racer, John steering wheel boss and it took two teeth So, if you went in, you stopped dead. Aley, were not commonplace until 1964. straight out. And then I’m told I recoiled It was so square that it didn’t damage Martin gives chase at Snetterton in 1962. Brands Hatch, 1963. 76 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

Martin in Mini 179 at Brands Hatch during the Molyslip Trophy race in August 1963. the doors or anything. The oil filter “His friend Jack Wheeler believed was the only thing that was broken.” that Martin only survived the crash His friend Jack Wheeler believed that because of his lightweight frame...” Martin only survived the crash because of his lightweight frame, only weighing 50kg [7st 12lbs] his whole adult life. Unfortunately, Martin’s jaw was broken very badly in 13 places. “I remember waking up in a helicopter » Leading the pack at Crystal Palace, 1963. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 77

[ Life in the fast lane Part 1 of 2 ] being flown from Dartford hospital “I woke up the Thursday to East Grinstead’s Queen Victoria afterwards and swore that I’d Hospital. I woke up the Thursday never been racing at Brands.” afterwards and swore that I’d never been racing at Brands. Then they This photo and below: Brands Hatch, 1963. showed me the photographs. I have no recollection. My parents came to the hospital and said I was welcome back home. We were allowed out so I was down the pub in East Grinstead and I was out in about six weeks. The week I got out, at the end of September, Gerry Marshall organised for me to do an MG Car Club sprint as a friend of his had an MG.” Martin bought a half-crashed Mini shell from a scrapyard near Brands Hatch and used it to fix WER 113. A 997 engine was fitted and the Mini was entered in future races as a Cooper. “Harry Weslake had the engine on a dynamometer originally at the Weslake factory and then sent it up to Brian, who fitted it.” In the next issue we find out about Martin being offered a trial for the BMC Works racing team. Pre-order your copy at: https:// shop.kelsey.co.uk/single-issue/ miniworld-magazine/2208 MiniWorld would like to thank: Martin Davidson, Martin Bell, John Phillips and Rob Mackie for their invaluable help with this article. 78 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

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Event The Riviera Run is based at Pentewan Sands Holiday Park near St Austell, Cornwall. Riviera Run Words: Karen Drury. Photos: Jim Jupp, Mike Guido, Kay Drury and Ma Pink. I t was fantastic to be back at Runners. It was then time to check into Pentewan Holiday Park, near St static caravans and put up tents before Austell, Cornwall, for the 25th karaoke in the Seahorse that evening. Riviera Run. Cornish Mini Club was champing at the bit to put on a Saturday morning dawned brightly brilliant weekend for Mini owners as Minis started to fill the show despite the disappointment of the area adjacent to Pentewan Sands’ 2020 and 2021 postponements. beautiful beach. Traders, including Minis-R-Us plus autojumblers, were On Friday 29 April Minis gathered on hand to supply Mini parts, spares at Leigh Delamere services on the M4 and snacks. There was a rocker and headed to Pentewan with a few cover racing competition for the kids stops along the way to gather more Riv (and Mike Guido) to enjoy and St » 80 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

Silhouette racer with 870bhp Audi Quattro RS3 engine and A3 Quattro running gear. Static caravans can be hired and camping is available for tents, motorhomes and camper vans. AC Dodd was on hand to tune Minis. John Foster's AA Van looked fantastic on the show field. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 81

Event Around 1,100 Mini fans stayed at Pentewan Austell Community Fire Station did a rescue demo. The afternoon also for the event and there saw the stereo and exhaust sound-off were 360 additional day contests. In the evening the Seahorse visitors on the Saturday entertainment venue was packed and 408 on the Sunday. with diners. There was live music and the fancy dress competition; always a Riv Run highlight. Sunday was drizzly on and off but there was an impressive gathering of Minis with many local Minis joining the event for the day. The show ‘n’ shine was hotly contested with many Minis taking part to be in with a chance of winning a trophy. A highlight for many is the Sunday afternoon cruise which always takes in some picturesque villages and countryside along winding roads that are perfect for Minis. This time over 100 Minis visited Gorran » Mini Van with Lynx AE motorbike engine conversion. 82 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

Mike Guido of Classic Minis This has to be the United, Florida, USA, shows off most scenic setting one of his rocker cover racers. for a Mini event. Fancy dress fun on the Saturday night. Black Magic witches won the fancy dress competition. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 83

Event Haven and occupants were treated Sandra Britton won to some stunning coastal views. first places in the Show 'n' shine for On the Bank Holiday Monday her stunning Mk2 the weather was much better and cool Clubman. for the open car show for all marques with detailing demos and accompanying live jazz music. CMC put on a further three runs for Mini owners who stayed a few days more to sample local cream teas, cider and fish and chips on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Cornish Mini Club certainly put on a great event for the 2022 Riv Runners and 92 out of 132 caravans are already booked for next year so get in quick if you fancy taking part in 2023. Next year's Riviera Run will take place 29 April to 1 May. Find out more about the event at: www.cmcrivierarun.co.uk Stunning Coastal Neatly-installed views through K-series engine. the mist on the brilliant Sunday afternoon cruise. The event was very well organised by CMC which chose Childrens Hospice Ryan Beedham's South West and Cornwall Blood Bikes as the event's charity beneficiaries. stunning turbo. 84 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

Sandra Wright's beautiful Mk1 won 2nd place. “The show ‘n’ shine was hotly contested with many Minis taking part to be in with a chance of winning a trophy.” CMC Chairman Ben Alex Tilley's Borman with Class B modified saloon winner Nikki Medcroft. came 2nd in class C. CMC's Dave Osborne and Ben Borman with trophy winner Paul Matthews (centre). 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 85

Event Himley Hall is a stunning backdrop for British Mini Day. The event is hosted by British Mini Club which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2022. British Mini Day season, it welcomed all types of Minis and variants from 1959 to present day. Words and photos: Mike Guido. The cold morning started with T he 8 May Himley Hall event West Midlands, the beautiful grounds grey skies and light rain. This didn’t celebrated the 30th year between the 18th Century stately home put a dampener on the event as the anniversary of the British and the picturesque lake was the stage long queue of Minis kept coming Mini Day, hosted by the for the prestigious event. Regarded by through the gates. The Minis were British Mini Club. Located near Dudley, many as the opener to the summer show parked at club stands and situated in classes to be judged for the show ‘n’ shine and concours. The walk through them all was very 86 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

Alan Slater’s stunning Skidmark Mini 1971 Cooper S has a rare Owners Club Oselli race engine. celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee in grand style. Rob Bancroft’s stunning 1974 Mini Marcos has a history of sprint, hillclimb and solo racing. Mr and Mrs Hart proudly showed off their 1962 Mini Beach Car. Richard Edwards and Aisha Finch with their 1970 Clubman (right), powered by a Vauxhall C20XE JRE red-top race engine. enjoyable, with the Minis displayed their acting was pure entertainment. The numerous Mini colours and in their decade of manufacture. Rain didn’t hamper the many trader shining chrome lit up across the grounds with the blue skies. The day The club stand theme was ‘The and autojumble stands. There was ended with many trophies, deserving Queen's Jubilee Celebrations’. Stands something for everyone for those winners, and happy Mini owners that included bunting and flags but the that arrived in a Mini and those that enjoyed the wonderful day. standout club stand was the Skidmark filled the car park; complete engines, Mini Owners Club who won first place. interiors, and just about every bit needed Find out more information The Minis wore huge crowns while club to build or keep your Mini going. about British Mini Club and members were dressed to represent the its excellent events online at: Royal family and the Queen’s Guard. The cold rain and clouds disappeared www.britishminiclub.co.uk While they were a fantastic sight to see, in the early afternoon and the sun came out along with summer temperatures. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 87

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MOTORFREE ADS TO ADVERTISE VISIT WWW.MOTORFREEADS.CO.UK CURRENT LISTINGS MINI COOPER MINI COOPER MINI COOPER 1991, 48500 miles, £8,950. Rover Mini Cooper 1969, 847 miles, Excellent condition, red 1991, 91.115 miles, £10.50. Rover Mini cooper Carburettor model. Manufactured 1991 and first body work and a white roof. Please call 1275cc 1991 Carb model 91,115 miles, Rebuilt registered in Japan in 1992. Imported back to 01407762586, Wales. approximately 12years ago , New complete front the UK in 2010 when it was fitted with two new end, New wings. Professional paint sprayed BRG door skins and given a full windows out respray. 100938 No5 with White roof , New boot lid ,Pair new Otherwise completely original sills, floors, wings, bucket seats. DSN7.5Disc conversion as well. 5 subframes. Never been welded. I cannot find any MINI MARGRAVE Star mag wheels , Also fully adjustable suspension rust or evidence of previous rust anywhere on the Front tyres are Yoko’s Rear tyres are Falken, car, Please call 07842460700, Ireland. Subframes are good , Fuel cap inside boot, Under wings covers also treated with Wax oil Now dry 113675 stored in garage. Presently SORN, Family owned 27 plus years. Please call 01406362640, East of MINI COOPER COUPE England. 113148 MINI MAYFAIR 2017, 16000 miles, £16,995. Mini cooper S 1976, £36,500. Featuring in a four page article 1991, 37500 miles, £5,500. Nice car in good convertible. Immaculate condition. This car has in ‘Mini World’ last year, this wonderful Mini has condition. Genuine mileage with all MOT’s and 250bhp. (more than the John Cooper works). Use driven just 3,000 miles since work was completed servicing. Auto works nicely. Maintained for two the extra performance or benefit from the extra and presents superbly, benefitting from a year’s years by a local Mini specialist. MOT till April power. Heads up display. BMW wind deflector. MoT, an extensive history file and the UK V5C 2022. Please call 07436 003807, South West. Chilli pack and John Cooper works pack. Please registration document. Please call 07967 260673, call 07956843084, East Midlands. East Midlands. (T) 110318 113702 113147 F9EAcT2U3R6E bYO2U8R-8M7OcT3O-R40INeY9O-UbR0FfAeV-O8U8RfI4T0E bM5A7GS3!9eOR9FIND YOUR NEXT!

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MODIFIED MINI CITY E ■ OWNER AT THE TIME: Joel Glass ■ ISSUE: February 2016 J oel Glass had the ambitious idea of putting a Ford V8 engine into a Mini. The small-block 302ci (4.94-litre) Ford V8 was fitted inside a Mini shell using a NASCAR- inspired tubular chassis by his friends at CC Racing. “My mate Doug Ripley basically built it from bundles of tubing, sheets of metal and two rusty cars,” explained Joel. The basis of the project was a 1970s Ford Mustang and he picked up a 1986 Mini City E in Essex. “I bought it as an MOT’d runner car for £140. I spent about three to four years collecting parts. Then, one day, we cut the floors out. We took two bars going forward, that look like scaffold bars, and one across them. They bolted the engine mounts B this b ck iss e of MiniWorld online t: https://shop.kelse .co. k/MWOb ck 94 July 2022 MiniWorl9d c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9

Looking back at feature cars from MiniWorld's archives onto the engine and welded them to the bars. 10 minutes and the engine was in... a bit more measuring and a bit of tapping. I was a bit shocked.” This was merely the start of the car’s tubular chassis, which completely replaces all original running gear to enable it to cope with the change of engine configuration and, of course, the extra power. This silhouette Mini's structure is incredibly complex, with the rollcage being an integral part of the tubular chassis. “The exhaust is a work of art. It had to be notched out under certain tubes. The idea being it clears the chassis, but also sits high enough into the body. I was also adamant it had to be under a standard Mini bodyshell. No lumps, bumps or stretching it.” All the while Joel was determined to keep the Mini street legal but he did have some fun with it on the drag strip. “The guys who built this are from a drag racing background. I always wanted to go and play with them.” Just before our photoshoot, at the 2016 Mini in the Park, it achieved a 13.441-second pass at 102.21mph which was just half a second off the quickest car of the day. Not bad, seeing as it was still on street tyres and had a few issues. Joel has since sold the V8 Mini on but we have no doubt he’s still having fun with cars. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9MiniWorld July 2022 95

BACK ISSUES £5.50 PER ISSUE INCLUDING UK P&P! £7.99 INCLUDING OVERSEAS POSTAGE MAY 2021 JUNE 2021 JULY 2021 AUGUST 2021 SUMMER 2021 • 30 years of MiniWorld special issue • Woody-styled Clubman Estate • Retro-styled 1979 saloon • Pro-restored 1960 Mini Van • Low-mileage Cooper Sport 500 • 30 amazing MiniWorld feature Minis • Mk3 Riley Elf rat-rod • Superb modified Mini City • Tesla battery-powered Estate • Restored 997cc Mk1 Cooper • Superb restored 1960 Austin Seven • 1964 970cc Cooper S • Lovingly-restored Mini Moke • Mk3 Cooper S Buying Guide • Mini cooling system plumbing • Rover Mini with Mk1 vibes • 1969 Mk2 Mini Cooper S • Beginners’ Mini buying guide • Mini brake and fuel plumbing • Modified 1966 Riley Elf SEPTEMBER 2021 OCTOBER 2021 NOVEMBER 2021 DECEMBER 2021 JANUARY 2022 • Cleverly-modified Mini Van • Restored 1962 Mini Pick-up • Superb S-inspired 1965 Mk1 • Abingdon-prepared Monte Cooper • Superb Mk2 Mini Cooper • Japanese fastback • Modified Mini Mayfair • Supercharged Mini saloon • Stunning custom Clubman Estate • Suzuki Hayabusa Z Car • 1310cc SPi Rover Mini • Rover Mini 40 limited edition • Buying Guide: Clubman Estate • Supercharged Mini Mayfair • Wales road trip • Buying Guide: Elf and Hornet • West Country road trip • Vita Mini racing team • Australian Mini Coopers • Rare 850 Mini City FEBRUARY 2022 MARCH 2022 APRIL 2022 MAY 2022 JUNE 2022 • Restored Radford Mini Cooper • Superb restored 1964 Traveller • Incredible12-car Mini collection • 1974 Innocenti 1300 Export • Incredible Arden 8-port Mk2 S • Restored RSP Mini Cooper S • Japanese 1999 Mayfair Automatic • Vortz Cooper S development Mini • 1997 Mini Cooper Sport 5 • Restored Innocenti Mk3 Cooper • Technical: front disc brake hubs • Restored Riley Elf MkIII • Stunning retro-racer saloon • 2000 Rover Mini Seven LE • 1966 Austin Mini Pick-up • Coachbuilt-quality Mini Van • The legend of Bogus • Performance-tuned 1968 Mk2 • MPi-engined 1961 Mini Van • Modified Mini Clubman Estate COMPLETE YOUR MINIWORLD COLLECTION BY ORDERING ONLINE: https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/MWOback OR TELEPHONE: +44 (0)1959 543747 OUR ORDER HOTLINE IS OPEN: 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9 MON FRI 8AM 6PM BST

PRE ORDER THE NEXT ISSUE TODAY AND GET FREE DELIVERY* AUGUST 2022 ISSUE ON SALE 24 JUNE TO ADVERTISE +OI4NR4TEHM0ISA1I2ISL3:S3LUI2EA2MC8A7L5L1 TANDEMMEDIA .CO.UK DON'T MISS OUT! GDEETLITVHEERNEDEXDTIRISESCUTE ORDTOEYROUTRODODORAY! Order online at h ps://shop.kelsey.co.uk/MWO2208 Call now on +44 (0)1959 543747** Terms and conditions apply. *Delivery is included for UK customers only. An additional £1 will be added to any overseas addresses. 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40b5739e9**Lines open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm (BST). Calls charged at your standard network rate. Front cover for illustration purposes and subject to change.

QUALITY PARTS you can TRUST! from the World’s Premier Mini Specialist FFSSaaiinmnmcciielelyy1199RR66uu77nn Suspension Grilles Bumpers Why choose FROM ONLY FROM ONLY Mini Sport? £66 £46 We Engineer Mirrors Brightwork FROM ONLY FROM ONLY £16 £11 Setting the Headlights Newton Carpet Sets Subframes Benchmark. The Best in Quality, Headlamp Assemblies, Full range of Value & Reliability. Include bowl plus inner classic interiors & trims available We Innovate bezel, suit LHD or RHD for all Minis FROM ONLY FROM ONLY Fully Built Subframes also Available £55 £314 Pushing the Gear Levers Gearknobs Wheel Arch Sets boundaries with a philosophy of FROM ONLY FROM FROM ONLY improvement. £48 £13 £40 We Collaborate Expertise Driven by Knowledge! John Cooper Books & Manuals Reconditioned Engines Wiring Looms insisted on the best - creating a Available For over 50 years succesful alliance with Gearbox we've been producing We Invest a range of quality engines, built Maintaining Original Equipment with a commitment Tooling, Ensuring to engineering the Future of Mini excellence. We Remanufacture Huge Selection Front & Rear Hubs FROM ONLY Available Front FROM ONLY £356 Hubs £81 Mini Sport has invested in our own in-house Rear FROM ONLY department to produce Hubs £31 our own range of British-made Top Quality Wiring Looms. Shop Online For the Best Prices Discover the Mini Sport Difference! Expertise that extends over 6 ✓ Fast Parts Finder ✓ Inspiration & Advice decades- breathing life into every Mini ✓ 13000+ Quality Parts ✓ Trusted Services ...Nowhere in the ✓ Secure Ordering ✓ Dedicated Websites ✓ Worldwide Shipping for USA, Aus & EU World like Mini Sport! 9c236b28-87c3-40e9-b0fe-88f40Kebep5up7to3da9te:e9 @MiniSportLtd

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