Mini 30 Uncovered

Mini 30 uncovered at Mini Fair 2009.The British Mini Club uncovered a jaw dropping unregistered Mini 30 at the recent Mini Fair show at Staffordshire County Showground. Mini enthusiasts gathered around the BMC stand for the announcement at 1.00pm, when David Hollis explained to everyone about this special mini and what the BMC were going to do with it."Yes some lucky mini owner will win this super mini at our British Mini Day on the 6th September, at Uttoxeter Racecourse." Mini owners arriving at the event will receive 1 FREE ticket to enter the draw, and then can buy extra tickets throughout the day....

For more information on this amazing Mini 30 visit www.britishminiclub .co.uk

Are MINI producing a MINI 50 special?

Are MINI bringing out a special edition for MINI 50?.. Well after producing a MINI 7, MINI Park Lane and a Checkmate in 2006 before they released the R56 version of the MINI, they may well do.

We also have to remember the MINI MC40 they produced only for the USA market and of course the GP all top sellers. With 2009 being the 50th birthday of the wonderful Mini, it seems sensible to create a MINI 50 special edition. We have seen a 20, 30 and 40 produced in the Classic Mini shape over the years to celebrate the birthday landmarks.

Well it may well be true. Motoring File are reporting rumours they have heard of not one but 2 MINI 50 specials similar to the Checkmate and Park Lane. With one in Pure Silver and the other in Hot Chocolate,. With a better spec than the MC40. So we would expect they would be of similar spec to the Park Lane, which had options on rain sensing wipers and auto lights etc. Only time will tell and as soon as we have more info we will let you know... we have our spies out !!

The Motoring File article

Latest Mini Magazine now available

The new issue of Mini Magazine is on sale now and it's packed full of great Mini 50 content..

Mini Magazine are one of the main sponsors of the British Mini Club events for Mini 50

Every month throughout this year Mini Magazine will feature a different retro Mini ad from the archive at the Heritage Motor Centre. They will also be covering key aspects of the Mini's heritage in a series of specially commissioned Mini 50 articles. Each issue will also feature all the latest news from the Mini scene, inspirational cars and great technical advice.

Why not subscribe to Mini Magazine and save up to 25%! Click here now to find out more

MINI Production restarts

MINi production has restarted in Oxford after a drop in sales even though BMW say annual sales of MINI in 2008 reached a record high

The factory's 4,500 employees had just returned to work on 5 January after an extended four-week Christmas holiday when the second break was announced. They were informed to take an extra 3 day break

BMW, which owns the factory, has said the shutdown was in response to the economic conditions.

In December 300 agency staff were told there would be no more work for them at the plant after the Christmas break.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Mini sales in the UK fell by more than 32% in December compared to the same month in 2007 and total UK car sales were down by 11% to 2,131,795 for 2008.

All staff at the plant, including remaining agency workers, were paid their basic wages during the closure.

Heritage kicks off early for Mini 50

With the iconic Mini due to celebrate its 50^th birthday in August 2009, British Motor Heritage has already planned its first batch of Mini bodyshells in 2009, which will be built in February, for delivery in March. Anyone wishing to order a Mini (or Mini Clubman/1275GT) bodyshell for a 50^th birthday project should get their exact specification to Heritage as soon as possible for inclusion in this build programme.

The MGB isn’t far behind the Mini, with its 47^th birthday due in October 2009. Heritage plans a batch of MGB and MGB GT bodyshells for production in May/June 2009 for delivery in June/July. Again, orders to be included in this build need to be with Heritage as soon as possible to ensure satisfaction.

For both Mini and MGB bodyshells, Heritage can offer direct supply, plus special options like finish painting in the colour of the customer’s choice, or even seam welding for competition or track day use. For more details, contact British Motor Heritage, 01993 707200. email: sales@bmh-ltd.com Web: www.bmh-ltd.com

Latest News on British Mini Fair 2009

Calling all ex-Austin workers.

Here at the British Mini Club we are trying to locate as many Ex-Austin Workers who help produce the Mini at Longbridge as we can. We would like to invite them to all of our events during 2009. We aim to create photographs with some early Minis from our 1959 Mini Register that will have special displays at all BMC events.

If you know of anyone that worked with the Mini please pass on details onto them. Contact the BMC HQ on 01384 897779.

Mini Talk New for 2009

Historic Mini Rally by Clive King... Clive has been rallying his Classic Mini Cooper S for many years, he is sponsored by the British Mini Club and will give a talk about his Classic Rally experiences

Early Development of the Mini by Bob Grice... This should be worth listening to. Bob Grice worked at Longbridge in the late 50's and early 60's during the development of the Mini. He will also be on hand to answer questions.

More information about British Mini Fair 2009 can be found on www.britishminiclub.co.uk

First sighting of W&P Margrave 50

The Wood & Pickett Margrave 50 has recently had its first sighting on display at the open day at Wood & Picketts new Mini Heritage Centre. This Mini is one of only 50 brand new classic Minis being produced by W&P and nobody has seen the road going version yet. Although we must say we love the red that has been used. It just looks so deep on the heritage shell

However you can see the completed version of this unique and very collectable Mini at British Mini Fair 2009.

More details at www.britishminiclub.co.uk

Mini Clubman to debut at British Mini Fair 2009

Richard Hallworth will debut his recently restored Mini Clubman at British Mini Fair 2009 at Bingley Hall in January. It really is a beautiful restoration and is sure to attract many admiring glances.

For more details and advance ticket information for British Mini Fair 2009 please visit our website at www.britishminiclub.co.uk

Wood & Picket open a new Heritage Centre

Wood & Pickett is delighted to announce the opening of their new Heritage Centre in Leatherhead, being officially opened by Freddie St George of The Italian Job Charity, on Saturday 15 November 2008.

The facility is designed to show off the heritage and history of one of the most famous names in the Mini industry, Wood & Pickett.

Since the demise of John Cooper’s premises the Mini enthusiast has lacked an interesting Mini specific focal point. Here at WP we have created a new and exciting centre to give the Mini enthusiast somewhere to meet with like- minded friends.

WP Heritage Centre will offer:

· Club and Enthusiasts Meeting Venue

· Unique Minis on Display

· Parts and Accessory Sales

· Car Sales

· Servicing and MOT Facilities

· Complete Restoration Facilities

· Large Car Park

· Warm and Friendly Atmosphere

· Helpful Advice and Lots More

We will be only too pleased to accommodate clubs and visitors to this wonderful new facility close to junction 9 of the M25 and next to Leatherhead mainline train station. The local surrey country lanes offer some of the best Mini driving experiences in the South of England making it a great starting or finishing venue for a club run.

For further information please see our web site www.woodandpickett.com or call us on 01372 388248.

See the BMC at the Classic Motor Show

Are you going to the Classic Car Show at the NEC near Birmingham this weekend? This is one of the most important auto shows in the UK calendar. Includes the Meguires concours finals and of course the British Mini Club have a prominent stand.

We have some superb Minis on display celebrating 49 and half years of this amazing motoring icon.

This fantastic show celebrates every age, marque and model, The veteran, the vintage, the classic and the future classic in fact everything car related and is the season Grand Finale

The Classic Motor Show brings together the whole motoring spectrum and something for everyone including a live stage, Wheeler Dealer Live, Restoration Theatre, 10 mile drives in the classic car of your choice. Sporting Bears Dream Rides provide the ultimate ride in dream cars. op traders and autojumblers. In fact everything for the car and the whole family.

Make sure your first port of call at this is the British Mini Club stand.

The show starts on Friday and runs through until Sunday, From November Nov 14th to 16th Full details and ticket prices can be found at www.necclassicmotorshow.com You can also find there You Tube channel on the website as well