No matter were you come from - pack your bags to celebrate the Magenta's 40th
Picture courtesy www.hemmings.com
Rolling hills, a Victorian railway station and a Mini derivative shed, all in Lealholm
Monday, 2 July 2012
Magenta's 40th anniversary
Any plans for the weekend? If not, may I suggest the Magenta's 40th anniversary? No, not all of these wonderfully quirky four-seat roadsters were 1100 based. In fact quite a few came from dead Minis. And quite a few, there were, with over 500 examples said to have been built between 1972 and 1988. Yes, that's 40 years ago since the prototype came to life in one of the most rural settings imaginable. The Magenta's 'factory' was actually based in the picturesque village of Lealholm, north Yorkshire, where Magenta instigator Steve Johnson ran the company from the former British Railways goods shed (exact model available here), next to the Lealholm railway station. The little stone building is still there being run as a garage - Lealholm Auto Services - today. Anyhow: on Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July some 40 Magentas are expected in Staithes, some 10 miles from the original birtplace, near Whitby. And, yes, that is were the Whitby Warrior was built (Update: oops - it wasn't, see comment) - another great reason for a pilgrimage! More info here
In my opinion the Mini Magenta was an excellent looking car that with a few design tweaks to the body work would hold its own today if produced. I remember see some design sketches in 'Kitcar' Magazine in the 80’s of the Magenta (Mini and Ford versions :o). Nigel.
ReplyDeleteJust for your information, the Whitby Warrior wasn't built in Whitby, North Yorkshire. It was launched in 1983 by Whitby Engineering in Crewe, Cheshire.
ReplyDeleteOwelly.
Blast! You are right!
ReplyDeleteI think that may well be the car I rebuilt many moons ago before being shipped to the USA.
ReplyDeleteGood to see it again and in good nick, It certainly suits the climate there more than England thats for sure.
Mark