26 replies to this topic

[SecretSugar]

Awesome thread. Makes me love minis even more. So proud!

[miniman3003]

Indeed some amazing photos on this thread.

 

Ah now, IF ONLY 434 NWL had survived as a totally unmolested car as shown in the first image with unique pre-production features, etc. that no other mini in the world had, if only.

 

The millionth car apparently still survives (somewhere) and it was fitted with specially engraved plaques which can be seen on the front wing.

[bullmini]

Great pictures thanks

[mab01uk]

Indeed some amazing photos on this thread.

 

The millionth car apparently still survives (somewhere) and it was fitted with specially engraved plaques which can be seen on the front wing.

 

"One Million Along"
Longbridge, Birmingham.
"Interior of car factory showing line of Minis, in the foreground is no. 999,999 and behind it is car number one million. C/U of the Millionth Mini. C/U of board on top of Mini reading "Mini 1,000,000", pan to Mini designer, Alec Issigonis and Bill Edwards, Production Manager. C/U of Issigonis. L/S crowds of people around the mini. Issigonis gets into the mini. C/U people watching. Issigonis drives the mini forward. C/U people watch. M/S of Mr. and Mrs. P.S. James, winners of the millionth Mini being presented with the keys. C/U Mr. and Mrs. James smiling happily."
BIRMINGHAM - ONE MILLION ALONG - British Path

 

"Where would you expect to find the one millionth Mini ever built? At the Oxford factory? In a British museum? In BMW's collection perhaps? Nope, it's here in Autostadt, VW celebrating another motoring icon alongside its own Beetle and Golf."
The millionth Mini - Autostadt: the amazing VW car collection - MSN Cars UK

Edited by mab01uk, 28 December 2013 - 11:16 PM.

[Mini 360]

Imagine your job was fitting windscreen trim.  How annoying would that be!!!

[mab01uk]

The rarely seen rear view of the second running Mini prototype from the excellent book 'Mini: The Definitive History' by Jon Pressnell.
The 1st was painted orange hence the 'orange box' nickname and this the 2nd was apparently a deep red.
What would this fetch at auction today if only BMC had kept it for posterity?!!
Photo was taken in 1959....note the Mini behind reg. no. XOC 233 with van style grille.



More photos here:
http://mk1-performan...ress_photos.htm

[mab01uk]

I asked the late Jack Daniels (Issigonis Draughtsman) what had happened to them a few years back at a Gaydon Mini event. He was pretty sure BMC scrapped them both in the early 60's along with the XC9003 wooden mock-ups.
I'm suprised no one has yet built a replica "Orange Box".........although reproducing the engine turned through 180 degrees would be a major challenge! 

Most of the testing of these cars took place at Chalgrove airfield, quite close to Cowley. Prior to this, Jack Daniels himself commuted daily in an experimental split screen Morris Minor with front wheel drive. Apparently most prototype cars were scrapped (often under supervision from the revenue) and were never registered for the road. The supposed reason for this was that a car became taxable (for purchase tax) at registration so much testing was done on trade plates or on airfields to avoid this extra cost. The few prototypes that did 'escape' largely did so via the 'back door' to a department manager or similar.

[mab01uk]

Not really noticed this early photo before......from the book MINI - The True and Secret History of the Making of a Motor Car by Simon Garfield.

[mr cooke]

fantastic photos

[mab01uk]

Maximum Mini Blog - Did a 1960/61-built Irish Mini based Special use a 1958 Mini prototype as a base?

 

 

More info in links below:-

https://maximummini....nSneYkMPxLH0qvU

 

http://maximummini.b...-prototype.html

 

http://maximummini.b...ivative-29.html

 

 

 

[DeadSquare]

To the left of the picture, just out of sight, I am heaving (on a visit with the late Barrie Williams) on a right hand fuel tank of the Mini behind the MGB while an engineer fiddles with the retaining strap and Barrie sorted through some used studded tyres.

 

I think that this photo was cunningly and unexpectedly taken after several others, capturing a natural look of "Work in progress"

[mab01uk]

Just been re-reading my copy of this booklet below (see extract posted below)....well worth buying one if you missed getting a copy back in 2020.

Mini anniversary booklet, from the men who made it.
"A collection of ‘insider’ ex-Apprentice memories of Minis and Mokes over those years, covering launch, development, competition, home and export sales etc. Packed with memories for people who were actually there."
https://www.aronline...-mini-memories/

'Magical Mini Memories' Item R18 (scroll down in link below for details)
This great booklet appears to still be available from the Austin Apprentices Association for £4.75 (£2 plus £2.75 p&p) from:-
https://austinexappr....com/regalia-2/