39 replies to this topic

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

A small collection of photos of the Beatles various Minis over the years.

And just for you Darryl, miss you mate

















''George, John, Cynthia, and Patti had their first LSD trip while driving LGF 695D (they were leaving the home of a dentist friend that had slipped it into their tea). George recalls driving very slowly because they did not know what was happening to them (this is from the Beatles Anthology series). Thanks to Mike Weaver.''

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 22 March 2013 - 11:27 AM.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

The Mini with George in one of the pictures is GUU 707C, which is a 850 Mini. George had a number of 850 Minis another one was KMT 449C that he brought from Epstein's company and part exchanged a mini for it (I think it was GUU 707C) he also brought an Aston Martin at the same time (reg number KMT 499C).

George on Magical Mystery Tour: "I remember quite a bit of it, really, in the big hangar down in Kent. We were driving around this air field in the Mini Cooper, your mother should know. That was quite interesting, I quite enjoyed that..."

George remembered:"after the drive around in the rain each of us was put in a Mini with our name on. John, Paul George, Jimmy individually, in huge Dayglo paint. They were advertising the British Motor Corporation. These cars were Minis, together with an Austin Princess with 'Beatles' right along the side in Dayglo" - 11th June 1964, Australia.

The story Mike (Radford/Mini de Ville Register) was told some years ago was that the Mini had been stripped ready for painting but no one had taken photos of the paintings. The chap who had painted them wanted silly money to redo them, the car was said at this time to have belonged to Harrison's brother. Some years later the paintings were done by someone else using old photos and the film for reference, although if you look closely some differ from when the car was in the film.

George, John, Cynthia, and Patti had their first LSD trip while driving LGF 695D (they were leaving the home of a dentist friend that had slipped it into their tea). George recalls driving very slowly because they did not know what was happening to them (this is from the Beatles Anthology series). Thanks to Mike Weaver.

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 22 March 2013 - 11:26 AM.

[mab01uk]

Great photos, thanks for posting!

More Beatles Mini related info here for those that have not seen this website before:
http://www.minispace...about/index.htm

[minimarco]

George, John, Cynthia, and Patti had their first LSD trip while driving LGF 695D (they were leaving the home of a dentist friend that had slipped it into their tea). George recalls driving very slowly because they did not know what was happening to them (this is from the Beatles Anthology series). Thanks to Mike Weaver.[/i]

They also thought fire was spurting out from the elevator buttons. good times.

[surfblue63]

LGF was at Mini United in 2009 as well as many other shows...



...and I picked up a Spark model of LGF the other day


The model is of the car as it is now, and not as it was originally. The wheels were Cosmic Mk1s back in the 1960's.

Edited by surfblue63, 22 March 2013 - 10:36 PM.

[Austin Powered]

Shame about those wheels on LGF 695D, you'd think a set of Cosmics could have been found for it ?? Don't forget Brian Epstein also had a Radford Cooper S and later a W&P.

[mab01uk]

From Daily Express July 30th 2002:

Edited by mab01uk, 18 April 2013 - 09:54 PM.

[Hrimfaxi]

Thanks for posting - cool stuff.

[Jdmini]

Love Mini's, Love The Beatles, Loving this post :)

[mab01uk]

Beatles to Paddy Hopkirk after his 1964 Monte Carlo Rally win.

 

 

[mab01uk]

Coys auction 29th June 2013
Lot 176 - 1965 Austin Mini Cooper Radford – Ex Brian Epstein:-
Estimate: £15,000 - £20,000
Registration Number: FGO 592C
Chassis Number: C-A2S7/769043

This is a genuine matching number Radford Mini Cooper and may be the only unrestored example with Beatles connections.

The car was supplied new to Radford through Car Mart Ltd. of Ealing, London on or around the 16th September 1965 and delivered new to Brian Epstein Automobiles, trading as Brydor Cars in Hounslow, London on the 2nd November later that year.

Brian Epstein is known as The Beatle-Making Prince of Pop, best known for being the manager of the Beatles until his death in 1967 and a music entrepreneur. He had also served as band manager for Cilla Black, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, the Remo Four and The Cyrkle.

In 1962, Epstein paid for the Beatles to record a demonstration tape at Decca's London studios. Decca declined to sign the Beatles to a contract. After then approaching nearly all of the major recording companies in London and being rejected, Epstein met a record producer, George Martin, who offered a contract on behalf of EMI's small Parlophone label.

The Beatles' early success has been attributed to his management and sense of style. Paul McCartney said of him: “If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”

The car stayed in Epsteins name until 14th November 1966 when George Harrison's brother , Peter, became the new owner and kept the car until the 1st December 1971. The car has been barn stored for 15 + years and probably much longer in previous ownership. It appears that this car just predates the other Beatles connected Radfords and with the Beatles more than likely coming into contact with this very car either through Epstein or Harrisons brother it is quite possibly the car that started it all. It is supplied with the green log book containing both Brian Epstein and Peter Harrisons name, a V5 document and Heritage Certificate.
http://www.coys.co.u...20&auctionID=34

[Austin Powered]

 It appears that this car just predates the other Beatles connected Radfords and with the Beatles more than likely coming into contact with this very car either through Epstein or Harrisons brother it is quite possibly the car that started it all. It is supplied with the green log book containing both Brian Epstein and Peter Harrisons name, a V5 document and Heritage Certificate.
http://www.coys.co.u...20&auctionID=34

 

 

 

 

The car wasn't in Epstein's name but his company name, slight difference. A few cars exist with Brian Epstein Automobiles as the first owner as the company he co ran with Terry Doran and James Isherwood supplied cars to other people, including in this case to Peter Harrison who bought it as a newly converted Radford. There's no proof as yet that Epstein ever saw it or drove it, let alone a Beatle.

To say it predated the other Beatles Minis is also inaccurate as McCartney was already driving his Radford about London when this car was bought as a standard 998 Cooper in red/black so that's somewhat misleading also. I've pointed this out to Coys, it'll be interesting to see if they amend their description..

Still a really interesting car but not's let the truth get in the way of a good story eh ?

Edited by Austin Powered, 21 June 2013 - 12:21 AM.

[mab01uk]

http://classics.hone...n-this-weekend/

 

Quote:
"The hammer went down at £22K which equates to £26K including buyers premium. Sounds like alot of money but remember it's a Radford, it's mostly complete, not in that bad a shape and has great provenance going back to original owner George's brother Peter Harrison, via Beatle Manager Brian Epstein's company. The good news is it's gone to an enthusiast as opposed to an unscrupulous dealer and will get a sympathetic restoration."

Edited by mab01uk, 01 July 2013 - 11:19 PM.

[Austin Powered]

If you're interested in the Beatles I'll be doing a full article all about The Beatles associated Minis in 'Cooper World' soon including some never seen before photos that'll knock your socks off.

 

Pete

[WMU 211G]

Looking forward to that Pete - it's about time these particular beasties got the coverage they deserve!

 

Big pics please, if you can manage it...!