962 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

The 'Modern MINI Cooper Register' section of the May 2016 CooperWorld magazine (page 52) features a MCR members newly purchased 'OBL' car below and also says the 'Y Register' for early R50 MINI's has informally been started but is currently just a Facebook Group - https://www.facebook...8657872446377/. However a more formal launch may be organised for the 7th July as this would be the perfect date to launch it but it very much depends on the time constraints of those involved so may not happen........

Who owns the oldest MINI?
http://mcrforum.mini....php?f=12&t=768

Early 'OBL' registration R50 MINI (CooperWorld - MINI Register)


Buy one while you can, original early R50/53 MINI's in good original condition like this one (it does have some faults but being sorted) are already starting to disappear from our roads....

One of the themes at the Beaulieu National Mini Cooper day this year (12th June 2016) will be the first modern MINI R50 models, namely the Cooper & Cooper S as well as MINI One since they will jointly be celebrating 15 years since initial production this summer. There will be a selection of these models on a special display area.

Edited by mab01uk, 02 May 2016 - 09:57 AM.

[megamini_jb]

When I was looking for my first MINI I wanted the oldest I could find, well obviously among other things too.

[chilired]

Love the old Y reg ones, so rare and so basic inside compared to the newer ones.  I guess in the same way a Classic was/is to a new MINI.  My first one was an 02 plate.

 

These are mine - I think they look cool, but I guess i'm biased!! 

 

 

[mab01uk]

 

Photo released to mark 15 years of MINI production at Cowley

Since 2001 more than 2.5 million MINIs have been produced in Oxford, with the three million milestone expected to be hit later this year. 80 per cent of the cars made here are exported to more than 110 countries around the world.

The first MINIs – which were registered with ‘Y’ prefixed number plates – are now considered by many enthusiasts and fans of the brand to be modern classics.
Mini enthusiast Tanya Field, whose husband Jason works at the plant in IT, is working to set up a new club – Y REGister – to bring together owners of MINIs made in Oxford in 2001.
Tanya said: “Today is a wonderful milestone for MINI Plant Oxford. The first MINIs are 15 years old and are now becoming modern classics and are increasingly collectable. The creation of the Y REGister shows the growing interest in these MINIs and the heritage of the modern MINI. As someone who’s passionate about the plant’s heritage, this is something that’s really important to me.”
https://www.mini.co....-oxford-15.html

 

According to the book 'New MINI' by Graham Robson the first few pre-production Mini's were built in January 2001 and the first production car on 26th April 2001. The MINI One and Cooper officially went on sale 7th July 2001.

 

Early Y reg R50 MINI's are featured in the latest July/August issue of 'Modern MINI' magazine celebrating 15 years of the R50 and 10 years of the magazine, also includes an article on some of the surviving 'OBL' registered press and pre-production MINI's mentioned earlier in this thread.
http://www.modernmini.co.uk/

 

For reference the earlest known surviving R50 MINI Coopers listed in the 'Modern MINI' article are:-

Y501 OBL No. 128 - Build Date 25th April 2001 (Pre-production car) - Production started 26th April 2001
Y304 OBL No. 133 - Build Date 3 weeks later (Press car)
Y401 OBL No. 90 - Build Date May 2001
BMH Museum early R50 is Car No. 511

The cars VIN/chassis numbers don't appear to run in sequence with the build dates, this is thought to be because there were delays from 3rd party suppliers of parts to the Cowley Mini factory at the time, sometimes taking over 3 weeks to complete the early cars on the production line.

 

Who owns the oldest New MINI?

More details on the MCR forum here:-

http://mcrforum.mini....php?f=12&t=768

 

Beaulieu Mini Day on 12th June 2016, will be the 30th anniversary of the 'Mini Cooper Register' and will feature a display celebrating the MINI One and Cooper (R50) which are in their 15th year....with a couple of each of the earliest R50 versions on show.

Edited by mab01uk, 03 June 2016 - 07:24 PM.

[WPD]

I think the one thing that let the bini down for me was that huge speedo in the middle of the dash, a bit too big for me but an r50 with the mesh grille, new cooper s interior, digital dash and all that would be quite nice.

[mab01uk]

I think the one thing that let the bini down for me was that huge speedo in the middle of the dash, a bit too big for me but an r50 with the mesh grille, new cooper s interior, digital dash and all that would be quite nice.

 

I think Rover had a free hand on designing the R50 dash and interior and got the R50 (Mk1) central speedo about right.....but I agree it got too big with the R56 (Mk2) MINI when BMW redesigned it dinner plate size and incorporated the radio controls in the bottom part of the central speedo. The latest F56 (Mk3) MINI uses it for the display screen most cars now have for sat nav, etc, and have moved the small speedo in front of the driver with the rev counter, etc

Edited by mab01uk, 04 June 2016 - 05:09 PM.

[WPD]

 

I think the one thing that let the bini down for me was that huge speedo in the middle of the dash, a bit too big for me but an r50 with the mesh grille, new cooper s interior, digital dash and all that would be quite nice.

 

I think Rover had a free hand on designing the R50 dash and interior and got the R50 (Mk1) central speedo about right.....but I agree it got too big with the R56 (Mk2) MINI when BMW redesigned it dinner plate size and incorporated the radio controls in the bottom part of the central speedo. The latest F56 (Mk3) MINI uses it for the display screen most cars now have for sat nav, etc, and have moved the small speedo in front of the driver with the rev counter, etc

 

I see, thanks 

As I said that huge speedo in the centre always put me off buying one, don't really want to be looking at the centre of the dash to check my speed all the time 

[Scousemouse]

I had a Mini One,(gen 1)

Nice body style(by Rover) ...

BUT too much stuffed into a car not much bigger than a proper mini...my biggest bugbear is the computer controlling f/n EVERYTHING..don't like computers in cars, I'm old school like carbs 

[mab01uk]

 

 

I think the one thing that let the bini down for me was that huge speedo in the middle of the dash, a bit too big for me but an r50 with the mesh grille, new cooper s interior, digital dash and all that would be quite nice.

 

I think Rover had a free hand on designing the R50 dash and interior and got the R50 (Mk1) central speedo about right.....but I agree it got too big with the R56 (Mk2) MINI when BMW redesigned it dinner plate size and incorporated the radio controls in the bottom part of the central speedo. The latest F56 (Mk3) MINI uses it for the display screen most cars now have for sat nav, etc, and have moved the small speedo in front of the driver with the rev counter, etc

 

I see, thanks 

As I said that huge speedo in the centre always put me off buying one, don't really want to be looking at the centre of the dash to check my speed all the time 

 

 

Issigonis other famous design the Morris Minor also had the large central speedo which went on to become a key part of the earlier classic Mini's identity.......until the Clubman dash came along in the 1970's.

 

[mab01uk]

Just missed this early Y reg OBL car on Autotrader for £999...now sold. 
http://www.autotrade...il_a_friend_car

Edited by mab01uk, 05 June 2016 - 10:21 AM.

[CityEPete]

I think the one thing that let the bini down for me was that huge speedo in the middle of the dash, a bit too big for me but an r50 with the mesh grille, new cooper s interior, digital dash and all that would be quite nice.

 
I think Rover had a free hand on designing the R50 dash and interior and got the R50 (Mk1) central speedo about right.....but I agree it got too big with the R56 (Mk2) MINI when BMW redesigned it dinner plate size and incorporated the radio controls in the bottom part of the central speedo. The latest F56 (Mk3) MINI uses it for the display screen most cars now have for sat nav, etc, and have moved the small speedo in front of the driver with the rev counter, etc

I see, thanks 
As I said that huge speedo in the centre always put me off buying one, don't really want to be looking at the centre of the dash to check my speed all the time 

 
Issigonis other famous design the Morris Minor also had the large central speedo which went on to become a key part of the earlier classic Mini's identity.......until the Clubman dash came along in the 1970's.
 

Thats just like mine! Sage green , two lockers, banjo wheel, I've done some trips looking at that view

[mab01uk]

Based on the recently introduced 4WD MINI Clubman......

 

 

MINI Clubman All4 Scrambler Concept:

http://www.motoringf...ambler-concept/

 

Edited by mab01uk, 15 June 2016 - 10:40 PM.

[mab01uk]

The early R50 MINI 'Y-Register' display at the MiniWorld Live Show.
(Photos - thanks to Neil - Surrey New MINI club)

Edited by mab01uk, 12 July 2016 - 07:15 PM.

[mab01uk]

Some early Y Reg R50 MINI's for sale.......if only early classic Mini's were still this cheap in tidy condition!

 

Registered 6th July 2001

http://www.ebay.co.u...XMAAOSwepJXXWo6

 

Registered 26th July 2001

http://www.ebay.co.u...1363a764d6d3476

 

Registered 31st May 2001 (with an OBL reg)

http://www.autotrade...make=mini&year-

Edited by mab01uk, 12 July 2016 - 10:48 PM.

[mab01uk]

 

A silver Mini crashed into a war memorial in Bromley.

Hope the driver is ok......the replacement carved portland stone will not be cheap!

http://www.bbc.co.uk...london-36749711