We had 2 cars displayed at the NEC this year courtesy of The British Mini Club.
Many thanks to Dave Hollis for allocating space for us on their stand.
The Morris Cherry Red Basic model was a December built car owned by Trevor Ripley. It previously belonged to Eddy Summers who owned it for many years and restored about 10 years ago. It shows the basic cloth seats made from our reproduction cloth (see For Sale and Wanted page ) along with the other features such as non-opening rear quarter lights, van style hub caps, single sun visor, painted door cards painted body trim and fuel cap etc.
The Austin Speedwell Blue Deluxe model was a December built car owned by Quentin Willson. This car has just been fully restored and is on show for the first time. Quentin also had his recently restored 1961 E-Type at the show on the Jaguar Drivers Club stand so he was dashing between the 2 stands and juggling his other commitments in as well.
A busy few days for him.
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The weather was brilliant on the day which really helped to make a great day out.
We only had four 1959 cars booked in from Bill Bell, Trevor Ripley, Malcolm Speirs and Mick Hannan, but on the day another car turned up which we did not previously know of, so that made 5 in total. It was a lovely Speedwell Blue Austin which the owner purchased in the 1970’s. He has joined the register and we hope to see it out and about again next year.
Bill’s very early built June 59 car got a lot of attention in its ‘as found’ condition. Bill travelleled to Denmark to buy and collect this car. He is intending to do a full restoration on it in the future but it was very interesting to see it as he found it. It is one of the oldest Minis in the country and was the 3rd Basic model to be built at Longbridge.
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With the very unpleasant weather of late we were very lucky with the Gaydon Mini Festival as it was a very pleasant and dry day.
The 1959 Mini Register had pride of position by the entrance to the Heritage Museum. We were also very fortunate and privileged to have John Sheppard with us all day. John, who had very recently celebrated his 90th birthday, stayed with us all day to talk to people about his days with Sir Alec Issigonis. He told us that initially Sir Alec Issigonis was his boss but soon they became firm friends until Sir Alec's passing in 1988.
John talked extensively about his work with BMC, always reminding us that he was not an engine man but was on the design team and had a particular interest and involvement with the Mini from the start.
For a full interview with John see March and April 2012 edition of Mini World where Kay Drury gives a thirteen page interview with John.
Apart from John Sheppard being with us and drawing the crowds, we were very busy all day talking to people about the 1959 Minis, in particular we had UHR 850 on the stand which belonged to Bunty Richmond of Downton Engineering fame. This now resides inside at Gaydon Heritage Centre and we were privileged to have it out on our stand.
We also had the pleasure of Quentin Willson and his daughter Mini (as her "T" shirt proudly stated "My name is Mini (Yes really!)") most of the day. Quentin is a keen 1959 Mini enthusiast, he is in the process of restoring one at present (maybe we'll see it at next year's show season somewhere Quentin?).
A truly memorable day with our 1959 Minis and the people who enjoy them!
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Pride of Longbridge 2012
This was the 7th event held at Cofton Park, opposite the Longbridge factory site. It started on the anniversary of the closure of the factory in 2005 and held every year since. A gathering of all cars connected with Longbridge works.
There was a great gathering of cars from the early Austin Sevens through to the new MG6. Plenty of very interesting ex.employees to chat to about the 'old times'.
We had the 1959 Register flag flying with two 1959 cars, one from Keith Woodfield, himself an ex-employee and a mine of information about the factory, with his Clipper Blue Morris Mini and I took my South African built car also.
Perhaps next year we can get a few more 1959 cars there as the Register is now a member of the Austin and Longbridge Federation.
A real interesting day out.
Trevor Ripley.
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