Nov 11th, 2013
Car number 983 is back on the road, heralding a revival of MINI production in the Netherlands in the near future. A 54-year-old classic Mini has been fully restored at the VDL Nedcar car manufacturing plant in the town of Born, the precision work lasting around six months. The historic Austin Seven with production number 983 dates back to 1959 and was one of the first examples of the classic Mini to be assembled in the Netherlands. The car was unearthed last year in an old barn in Groningen, ravaged by the passage of time and as such an ideal candidate for the “reBorn” mission. The classic machine has since been imbued with a fresh injection of sparkle, making it the perfect scene-setter for a new chapter in Dutch-British car making relations. Next year VDL Nedcar will begin production of MINI models under contract; MINI will be the only manufacturer having vehicles series-produced in the Netherlands.
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Oct 20th, 2013
The chaps at Jalopnik shared a story this week so improbable and wonderful that we just had to share it here. Apparently an Australian company (read family of Australian Mini Moke fans) have gotten the ball rolling to produce reproduction Mini Mokes in China. continued →
Sep 26th, 2013
Official Release: Automotive legends from the 1970s and 1980s will line up for the start of the twelfth ‘Creme 21 Youngtimer Rally’ in Spa, Belgium on 25 September 2013. Taking central stage will be BMW Group Classic’s classic Mini Mark III, conspicuous not just because of its vibrant ‘Citron’ yellow paintwork but also because of its colourful TV history. It is one of the classic Minis driven by actor and car enthusiast Rowan Atkinson in his role as Mr. Bean in the British comedy series of the same name. continued →
Sep 24th, 2013
We can’t imagine something more fun… three of the most ecentric Mini variants ever produced traveling through Germany in the late summer. If you just click through for the photos it’s worth it.
Official Release: Joining the sixth “Hamburg-Berlin Classic” 2013 rally for vintage and classic cars organised by “Auto Bild Klassik” magazine, will be three of BMW Group Classic’s more unusual representatives from the small British car collection: a 1981 Mini Clubman Estate, a Riley Elf, first registered in 1969, and a Mini Wildgoose “Brent” Super V. E. B., one of the few surviving Mini-based campers, developed in the 1960’s. continued →
Sep 4th, 2013
Take a classic motoring journey with John Quirk, a vintage Mini owner, as he goes from selling yard rescue, to restoration, to weekend motoring nirvana in his Paul Smith special edition Mini. What I especially appreciate about John’s description is his acknowledgement of the car’s imperfections — those things he’s willing to “forgive” because the car is so brilliant in so many other ways. I can definitely relate to that in my R53 Cooper S.
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Aug 26th, 2013
The original Mini was revolutionary on a number of fronts. But one that is often forgotten is the unique rubber springs used on the car. The combination of conical rubber springs and small wheels was one of the many innovative developments which allowed design Alec Issigonis to achieve the Mini’s small overall size. And the man who created it, Dr. Alex Moulton, went on to work designing both bicycle and automotive suspensions to great acclaim. continued →
Jun 28th, 2013
This story comes to us from MINI Motorsport
The 2013 MINI Festival at Brands Hatch presented MINI fans with first-rate racing action. The occasion: 50 years of the MINI Cooper S.
Exciting races, international stars, stunts, and a feast of entertainment at the iconic Brands Hatch Circuit: last weekend, the 2013 MINI Festival in the English county of Kent was the hub of the MINI universe. Brands Hatch was the site of spectacular scenes. The occasion: the 50th anniversary of the MINI Cooper S. And the 2013 MINI Festival also featured a true racing premiere, as the title “Champion of MINI Festival” was awarded for the first time.
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