Friday 7 April 2017

Biotas in Holland

I was sent a Dutch Biota brochure some time ago, published by Precott Hill Ltd., who were the Dutch importer of the Mini based sports car (more info here and here). Did I know it? I thought not, but it turned out I did have a copy. What's more: when I had a look in the files to see what else was thereI noticed that Precott Hill Ltd. had come up with several more brochures. And I found a few ads, too, all in Dutch. And some pictures linking to them. Anyway: have a look for yourself. 

It's not in the best shape, but you don't see this Dutch Biota brochure very often
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

And that's the back. The colours available have some nice names. Biota Blue, Peacock Blue 
and Mc Claren (sic) Orange for example
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

I found this, too. Precott Hill - also importers for TVR at the time - took a car with hardtop to the Amsterdam Motor Show, seen here bottom right and left center. It was the demonstrator 'YWT 65G'
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Seen here at the Amsterdam Motor Show or RAI, at Prescott Hill's display, rubbing 
shoulders with one of their TVRs
Picture courtesy http://biota.jouwweb.nl


And here again, seen over in Holland. This is in Woudenberg at Prescott Hill's headquarters. Or perhaps humble premises. Note the missing tiles and abandoned MGBs...
Picture Jeroen Booij archive


This is the same car, YWT 65G' seen a couple of years ago. It's still awaiting restoration
Picture Jeroen Booij
The Biota never was a simple kit and the body consisted of a great number of parts. 
Still, there were plenty of extras available…
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Do you own a Mini? Are you good with your hands? Then build Kit B!
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

This ad comes from a Dutch motoring magazine - "The huge Amsterdam motor show success"
Picture Jeroen Booij archive


This is a magazine ad, too, now slightly later and now 
showing their own Dutch-built demonstrator
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Same photo, but now much better. '46-56-FH' is a garage plate. Does this car survive?
Picture http://biota.jouwweb.nl

UPDATE 9 November 2020: Yes, the car survives! Story here.

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