48 replies to this topic

[Timtom]

he paid them some special monies

[minikidx14]

It hasnt

[CLM]

Well some people on the elf hornet forum have decided it's probably not just an elf/hornet converted into the beach car, but it's a prototype elf/hornet converted into a prototype beach car as the back end isnt quite standard elf/hornet.... Interesting

Chris

[Jacko-lah]

Maybe Heritage Motor Centre Motor Museum or BMH can be contacted and ask for help to preserve the car as a historically valuable Mini??

The greeks may want the elgin marbles back first.

[mab01uk]

Well some people on the elf hornet forum have decided it's probably not just an elf/hornet converted into the beach car, but it's a prototype elf/hornet converted into a prototype beach car as the back end isnt quite standard elf/hornet.... Interesting

Chris

Very interesting.........

From Mk1 forum:
"This particular one has an SPL chassis number. It would therefore appear that it is not one of the production ones. It pre-dates them. FE number dates to 1960. Pre-dates Elfs/Hornets too."

Not exactly a n Elf/Hornet, but close
http://elf-hornet.4f...ornet-but-close

Edited by mab01uk, 19 December 2010 - 05:13 PM.

[mab01uk]

Maybe Heritage Motor Centre Motor Museum or BMH can be contacted and ask for help to preserve the car as a historically valuable Mini??

The greeks may want the elgin marbles back first.

[mab01uk]

For those interested more info/pictures have been posted by Reymondos on Austin Rover Online,
On Topic:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/
Quote:
I found out some of my Beach Cars history.

It was previously owned for many years by someone who worked in cargo ships. It was a gift from the shipping company owner. Some Greek magnate (there are a few apart from Onassis).
This person drove the car around in the summers and kept the car in excellent condition.
Then in the late '90s he died and a friend's friend who lived nearby tried to buy it many times over from the widow but she had sort of gone crazy.
When the widow died all her belongings were sold off and so it was bought by a restaurant owner.
The car was left standing outside a car bodyshop garage for about three years and then ended up parked outside the owners restaurant.
On November 10th 2010 it was sent to be scrapped.
On December 16th 2010 it was saved by me.

The only question mark now is who the shipping magnate was, and how long he kept the car before giving it away to his employee.

Considering it spent a good few years parked outside its a right miracle the car is so complete and rust free.

[mab01uk]

Latest update on the Beach Car Mini restoration.........now painted

http://elf-hornet.4f...ornet-but-close

[roga]

Absolutely fascinating thread

One of the amazing things about Minis is the number of interesting special additions there have been but this has got to be the rarest I've ever seen. Again really fascinating stuff, do keep updating the story.

[MiniLuke]

Smashing job you are doing there! Well done, glad its being done properly..

[Timtom]

Has it really been 5 months?

Time flies!

[mab01uk]

Latest restoration photos are on the Beach Car Mini website:
http://austinbeachca...#!home|mainPage

and Mk1 Forum:
http://mk1-forum.net....php?f=6&t=2504

Edited by mab01uk, 14 October 2012 - 05:11 PM.

[CCX]

Thanks for posting this, the restored car looks amazing in that blue. So so glad it survived. Does anyone know what's going to happen to it now it's finished?

[CLM]

It's owned by a car enthusiast in greece, the one that found it. I don't think it will be forgotten or abused but I don't think it's going to any museum.

Chris

[ministar]

Was that really 2010? I feel old now..