12 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

 

As soon as the second half of 2014 MINI's will be made in the Netherlands. To mark the occasion BMW is sponsoring the restoration of a 1959 Mini originally assembled at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland.

 

Official Release: Today VDL Nedcar employees started the restoration of one of the first Dutch Minis. This classic Mini – one of the oldest Minis in the world – was assembled in 1959 at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland and is now being completely rebuilt by a team of five VDL Nedcar employees.

They were selected from the pool of 1,500 VDL Nedcar employees who will be involved in the future production of MINI at VDL Nedcar in Born. The plant is currently in preparation for MINI contract manufacturing starting in the second half of 2014. It makes MINI the only car brand that will be in series production in the Netherlands.

Mini built in the Netherlands.

For the second time in history this British icon will be produced in the Netherlands. From its year of introduction (1959) up until 1966 the importer J.J. Molenaar’s Car Companies in Amersfoort assembled over 4,000 Minis. BMW Group Netherlands initiated a search for one such Mini built in the Netherlands.

Having found this Classic Mini, VDL Nedcar reacted enthusiastically and put together the restoration team, made up of a bodywork builder, a welder, a painter, an engine specialist and a project manager.

Before the end of this year the genuine Dutch Mini ought to be reborn in the same factory in which a new generation of Dutch MINIs will be produced in the second half of 2014. The restoration process may be followed every step of the way on MINI’s Dutch Facebook page.

After the start of the MINI production in Born this oldest of Dutch Minis can be seen at VDL Nedcar. The Mini – officially recognized by the international 1959 Mini Register – will then be put in a prominent place in the Dutch factory as a token of the 1,500 employees’ pride.

http://www.motoringf...he-netherlands/

 

 

 

 

Edited by mab01uk, 09 May 2013 - 07:42 PM.

[Classic1275cc]

waite what, so in 2014 BRAND NEW classic style minis will be made in the netherlands? you wernt amazeingly clear there :S

[Alex_B]

no, MINI production will start in 2014, but to mark the occasion they are restoring an 1959 mini made there originally 

[mab01uk]

waite what, so in 2014 BRAND NEW classic style minis will be made in the netherlands? you wernt amazeingly clear there :S

 

To clarify......the New MK3 MINI for 2014 is to be built in the Netherlands factory as well as Oxford from later this year:

New MINI Mk3 spy pictures:
http://www.autoexpre...in-content-area

 

Edited by mab01uk, 20 July 2013 - 08:42 AM.

[mab01uk]

Assembly in The Netherlands (Amersfoort):

1959 30 Minis
1960 472 Minis
1961 520 Minis
1962 836 Minis
1963 861 Minis
1964 1031 Minis
1965 445 Minis
1966 180 Minis (production stopped)

In 1965, assembly (CKD) commenced in Seneffe (Belgium)
In 1966, BMC started British Motor Corporation Belgium S.A (august 6).

 

Production in Belgium (Seneffe)

1965-1974 (Mini, Austin 1100/1300/GT, Morris 1100/1300/GT, MG 1300) no records/production not known
1975 25,518 Minis
1976 42,959 Minis
1977 53,988 Minis
1978 50,156 Minis
1979 34,523 Minis
1980 27,478 Minis
1981 778 Minis (production stopped)

 

http://www.aronline....he-netherlands/

[mab01uk]

Mini re-Born preview video: https://www.facebook...&type=2

 

Edited by mab01uk, 11 May 2013 - 11:04 AM.

[leaky]

When I was at the Nurburgring last year with the retro run lot BMW were testing the Mk1 mini then. Think I have some video somewhere.

[mab01uk]

Updates from The Mini Reborn operation here -> Mini Austin Seven '59 Reborn @ Driiive.com
(also some stuff that you'll not find on official Mini Reborn FB page)
http://driiive.com/m...7--59-Reborn-/#

http://driiive.com/m...be279cf48b0326a

[mab01uk]

Latest Update and photos on 1959 Mini reBorn by the soon to be opened Dutch New MINI Plant workers:

https://www.facebook...Mini.reBorn1959

 

Scroll down for English translations:

"From now on, we will post updates both in English and in Dutch. The group of international followers keeps on growing very fast!We have reached 1.000 likes, and as promised we are going to allot three copies of one of the first design drawings of the Classic Mini, made by Alec Issigonis. The winners will receive a personal message!"

[mab01uk]

At the same place where next year's new MINI will roll off the assembly line, the unique Mini Reborn was revealed. The spectacular 1959 Austin Mini Se7en De Luxe Saloon barn find turned up in Groningen last year. It is one of the oldest Minis in the world and probably the oldest in the Netherlands.

 

2013 Mini reBorn - Engine Start

[gkmini]

It's kind of sad how MINI is trying to keep the connection to the old style Mini's. Especially when no one really cares anymore, or at least that's the case here. Most MINI drivers here in Canada are soccer moms or teenage girls.

[mab01uk]

It's kind of sad how MINI is trying to keep the connection to the old style Mini's. Especially when no one really cares anymore, or at least that's the case here. Most MINI drivers here in Canada are soccer moms or teenage girls.

 

It is important for all car manufacturers to keep the connection with their marque heritage as can be seen by the demand for famous British and European brands such as Jaguar, Range Rover, BMW and Mercedes (& MINI) in countries like China........interestingly BMW were criticised in the early years of the New MINI by UK enthusiasts for not giving enough credit to the the classic Mini heritage in their publicity.......the opposite of what they did in overseas markets like the USA and Canada where the Mini had ceased to be sold many years earlier. The reasons stated for this was that potential North American buyers had very few recent memories of owning classic Mini's to influence them whereas in the UK marketing surveys had found that the more recent memories of ex-Mini owners here connected the brand with rust, unreliability, few creature comforts and noise but positives given were handling, road holding and fun to drive (over short distances). Therefore BMW marketing at first concentrated on the fun driving aspects in the UK and promoted the prestige sporting image of the new MINI while not emphasing the connection to what most British car buyers still thought of as an unreliable rust bucket......

Not a problem now as the new MINI has established its own reputation and with the passage of time most of the UK general motoring public now look back on their Mini ownership years with rose-tinted glasses and only remember the good bits.

 

It should also of course be noted that not all the 5+ million classic Mini's were sold to car enthusiasts during its peak sales period (ok some but not all Coopers)......and just like any current modern car - soccer moms and teenage girls (or their past equivalents plus the legendary district nurse ) made up the vast majority of sales.

Edited by mab01uk, 25 November 2013 - 12:32 AM.

[mk1leg]

thats a nice resto but what else would you exspect from BMW........I wonder how much that rebuild cost......LOL