Minis and Metros plus MINIS galore at The British Motor Museum on Sunday 5th June... They tell us... Visitors can celebrate two of Britain’s much loved small car marques when the British Motor Museum hosts the ‘National Metro & Mini Show’ on Sunday 5 June. This popular show is regarded as the main event of the year for owners of Metros, classic Minis, and modern MINIs to come together. … [Read more...]
Mini themes galore this Easter at The British Motor Museum
Mini Madness at The British Motor Museum this Easter, 2022... It’s all about ‘Mini Madness’ at the British Motor Museum this Easter from 9 -24 April with a host of exciting Mini themed family activities! Families can explore the Museum on a Family Trail, join the Mini mad characters on a family tour or design and make a Mini in the air drying clay workshops. On 13 and 20 April, children can join … [Read more...]
BMC/BL Mini – The Clubman and 1275GT Scenario
Mini Clubman and 1275GT history and development… …Dave Moss describes what happened. In the mid 1960s, agonising began at BMC over how best to update or replace the Mini, which was turning into one of its most successful cars. The decision was ultimately overtaken by the mergers which first created British Motor Holdings and then the British Leyland Motor Corporation – bringing all the BMC … [Read more...]
Keep Your Wheels Alive – We Visit Austin Morris Services at Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight
Kim Henson makes the Wight move and heads to Freshwater to see how Frank Phillips helps the owners of BMC/BL classics (plus other makes and models) to keep their prized vehicles on the road and looking good… (Words and photographs all by Kim, except the Escort Harrier shots – courtesy Frank Phillips). In the course of my work I visit a multitude of vehicle workshops, and it is always cheering … [Read more...]
Mini Happy Returns – 60 Years since BMC’s baby was introduced
Small Wonder... Britain's favourite small car of the 1960s and 70s, celebrated by Dave Moss. It was exactly 60 years ago this week, on 26th August 1959, that the Mini was introduced to the world. In this first instalment of a series about the BMC/British Leyland/Rover Minis, Dave describes the background to, and development of, this small but revolutionary car, dubbed 'Wizardry on Wheels' in … [Read more...]
60 years of classic Minis – acknowledged by the British Motor Museum
British Motor Museum celebrates 60 years of the iconic Mini! The British Motor Museum will pay homage to 60 years of the unique British Mini with a number of special events throughout the year. Starting with three weeks of ‘Mini Madness’ family activities during the Easter school holidays followed by two special events in August. On Saturday 3 August there will be an attempt to set a new … [Read more...]
MINI News and More MINI Models – First Impressions
More MINI News and More MINI Models make their UK debut. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports… “One out of every 40 new cars sold in the UK is a MINI” was the headline statement at the MINI Media Driving Day held last week. Headline act at the event was the global premiere of their special edition MINI 1499 GT. Although a termed a global reveal the 1499 GT three door Hatch is only … [Read more...]
New MINI Clubman estate Wheels-Alive Road Test
Bigger is Better for the New MINI Clubman models Says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) The MINI is now in its third generation under the ownership of the BMW Group. The three door Hatch arrived first in 2015 followed by the five door Hatch and now the new larger Clubman models. The Convertible Hatch will arrive in March this year, the Clubman ALL4 in April and the new Countryman and … [Read more...]
New MINI Hatch John Cooper Works – The Most Powerful MINI Ever – First Impressions
By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) Hot MINI UK Sales News With another record year of sales behind them in 2015, MINI is well placed with the introduction of their third generation range of models to continue their record breaking sales record. Last year MINI achieved 63,581 UK new car registrations, an 18.5% increase over the previous year and the sixth consecutive year of … [Read more...]
BMW’s Latest Models (October 2014)
Tom Scanlan experiences six cars from BMW and MINI in one day... 2-, 3-, 4-series and i-series BMWs plus all-new MINIS have all arrived in a rush over the past months. Wheels-Alive went into the Cotswolds to sample them. Newest ideas are the 2-series Active Tourer and 5-door MINI Hatch, along with electric power for the i3 and remarkable i8. The M4 cars now have a metal roof convertible … [Read more...]
Mini – Collectors’ Gold
Early BMC Minis, including unrestored examples, commercial versions, Coopers and special editions are all of particular interest to enthusiasts in the 21st Century says Dave Moss. Despite a high profile career spanning over 40 years, it’s perhaps rather surprising that almost all of today's most valuable and collectable Minis were sold in the 1960s. Though the next three decades produced … [Read more...]