Beach Car becomes most expensive Mini ever

Remember this article of some five years ago? A Mini Beach car then caused a bit of a shock in the Mini community when it was sold in Monterey, California for no less than $165,000. The auctioneer's fee of 10% came on top of that, making it without a doubt one of the most expensive Minis ever to be sold. I was contacted by the car's new owner from Florida some time later, who said: "I am the crazy person who bought the Beach Car at the auction in Monterey. Yeah, I know...crazy money. What can I say? It seems people are judging me fairly harshly. I don't care what they think."

Well, there is at least one person who is crazier. Yesterday, another Beach Car was sold in an online auction in the US. This time for the price of - sit for it - $235,000 including premium. The car, it must be said, seems to be in an absolute time-warp condition and is believed to be in single family ownership since it was new in 1962. The build records indicate it was the third to last Beach Car built on March 19th in 1962 and painted Smoke Grey with a Snowberry white roof. The odometer reads out just over 3,000 miles and by the looks of it that could well be genuine. So, a rather unique car indeed. Worth the money?

UPDATE 15:00 - Hang on, I forgot about this one. Pretty close though!

Picture: bringatrailer.com

Picture: bringatrailer.com

Picture: bringatrailer.com

Picture: bringatrailer.com

Le Mans '66 - an update

It seems to me that Le Mans '66 was pretty good received, and I have received a multitude of comments from people who’ve seen the movie, all very positive. When I went to the theatre myself I had not too much of an idea what to expect, though. Admittedly, I had become a real Le Mans ‘66 anorak and I was afraid the movie could only disappoint. But I really loved it and highly enjoyed the movie myself. The filmmakers did a terrific job in recreating the 1960s atmosphere with even the pit boxes and grandstands on Le Mans’ start/finish line (known to have been completely rebuilt in the early 1980's) largely reconstructed in Southern California. I knew these so well from pictures, so to see them now recreated on a big screen was quite something. No sight of a Mini Marcos anywhere in the movie though, but hey, I wasn't expecting that either. Thanks for everyone sending over film clips from Youtube showing my car in action in the actual race – some of them being new to me, and Renaud Surteauville for sending over the press card of the film premiere at the Le Mans museum - a copy of the original Le Mans 1966 press card!

But how about the car then? Well... Painting it was supposed to be the next step and with the primer now (hopefully) fully dried out I contacted my Marcos mate Joost, with whom I prepared the car’s body and put it in primer last December. We had a jolly good time doing that and I was looking forwards to having a similar kind of experience. But when I rang him in the summer to see if he could come up with a date anytime soon, he had to disappoint me. Having just bought a house needing renovation and busy with work and his own cars, he couldn’t see any time soon for painting mine. What’s more: the spray cabin we’d hired previously needed work too, with the owner having no time for that right now. We've come up with a new date though: March 2020.

Then there's the car's mechanicals. As you may remember I made an arrangement with mechanic Philippe Quirière, who runs Mini World Center in southwest France, but disillusion number two was on its way when I contacted him, too, in the summer asking to come over with the car in September. Philippe wrote: “Sadly, it's not possible for two reasons. Unfortunately the crankshaft takes me an incredible time! The machining is turning out to be very complicated and very expensive, surely the most expensive Mini crankshaft ever! But we agreed, so I decided to go all the way with this unique model. But the most important thing is that I'm expanding my garage, and to this day the lack of space, is too risky for a job like this. The building will be finished within three months, so we can finish this unique project in good condition.” So there we go. Even though I would not have preferred it, I have now even more time to prepare things really well. Stay tuned.

Ford vs Ferrari vs Marcos, an original Brockbank cartoon of 1966

Picture Brockbank / Jeroen Booij archive

Salt & Pepper Moke survives!

Well, well... Last week saw the revelation of the Fairley Spoke's previous life as a standard Moke used by the Beach Boys. This week has another amazing Moke discovery - the car used by Sammy Davis junior and Peter Lawford in the 1967 movie 'Salt & Pepper' (more here) has been unearthed.

I was contacted by Davis Guyan, who wrote: "I recently discovered your blog from June 2016 where you had photos of the Moke 'KOA 750E' (see here). I have owned the Moke since March 1991 and still own the car today. It does not look like it did in the film as somebody has reverted to the standard look. When I purchased the Moke the person I bought it from said he thought it was in the Bond films."

"The car is white but under the white paint there is yellow paint. I have been trying to research its provenance and I recently acquired a heritage certificate from Gaydon and when it left the factory in 1967 it went to the BMC Publicity Department. It was last MOT’d in 2009 to take it to Longbridge for the 2009 IMM to celebrate the Mini's 50th anniversary. It has spent most of the time in my garage off the road. We also took it to Salou for the 2005 IMM which was quite a feat as its an 850 automatic. I also own a shorty Mini and a standard Mini and have been a Mini enthusiast for many years and previously owned a Mk1 Mini and a Mini van and have attached some photos of my Moke as it is today. If you have any more photos of my Moke or information I would be interested in finding out all I can about my car. Many thanks for any help you are able to give me. David Guyan"

I also asked David what he planned ever to bring the car back in its mad movie splendour now that he knows of its movie heritage. He replied: "That's under review at the moment. I am yet to decide. I had hoped it was one of the Bond Mokes as they weren't as outrageous and could be driven with less impact. I am being told I should bring it back to its Salt & Pepper glory. I will let you know if I do."
In the meantime I have sent over hi-res pictures to David, so at least he can recreate the vehicle if he ever wants to. Perhaps there are readers out here who can help also. Feel free to drop a line below.

The Salt & Pepper Mini Moke from a promotional picture of United Artists

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

And the car as it is now, owned by David Guyan and unrecognizable as the movie car

Picture David Guyan

This photographs shows the dashboard with all its modifications made for the movie

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

These have gone also, but you can still easily see that they were once fitted to this car 

Picture David Guyan

The owner was told the Moke was used in one of the James Bond movies - not quite

Picture David Guyan 

Loaded with every extra available at the time and more - this certainly was a mad Moke

What would you do if you had it? Bring it back in its former glory? I would!

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Boxer Sprint project now offered for sale

Due to the unexpected death of Ian Shearer (obituary here), his family has decided to sell his much beloved and last project car - the original 1986 Boxer Sprint prototype. The Boxer was a lightweight spyder version of the Nimbus Coupe that Shearer designed a couple of years earlier. The car’s fiberglass body tub was moulded as a single piece with some areas strengthened with Kevlar. The clamshell bonnet hinged forwards and the engine cover flipped the other way for easy access. Brakes, steering column and pedals came from the Mini donor, with the rectangular headlights sourced from VW’s Scirocco. A wiring loom was made for the car, but according to Shearer a modified Imp loom could be used, too. Kitcars and Specials magazine wrote in September 1986: “The Boxer Sprint is designed to be either a club racer and/or a second road car, and as such it makes no pretence of being a refined everyday vehicle. Although, having said that, it will be seen that it has the potential to be made as practical as any two seat sports car.” Still, no more production cars were made, with only the prototype being registered. Shearer found it back on a farm in Kent in 2017 (see here) and started a comprehensive restoration.

Unfortunately he never got 'round to finish that and the whole project is now for sale. It's not just the car itself, fully registered as a 'Nimbus Sprint' with full V5 logbook and all the paperwork. But it also comes with the original moulds, two engines and a whole load of bits and pieces. Ian's son Will: "The car comes with all other items required to get it on the road. There will also be a lot of materials that I am happy for the buyer to have too - things like GRP mat, microfibre filler additives, resins, and hardeners/catalysts. Also, the odd tool that I have no use for, there is a cylinder honing tool for example; basically I'd be happy for anyone buying to rummage through and take what they feel is useful to them. I have taken some photos of all the stuff that will be sold with the Boxer. Everything appears to be complete though it is spread all over! Dad was never one for being organized!"

See the full ad here.

UPDATE 28 November: BLACK FRIDAY Special - only on Friday the 29th offered for £1500!
And I also throw in a signed copy of both Maximum Mini 2 as Maximum Mini 3

A cover star in September 1986: the Boxer Sprint prototype before being registered

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

These are the moulds for the monocoque shell and clamshell front, included in the sale

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Designer Ian Shearer found the car back in 2017 and started a comprehensive redesign

Picture Will Shearer

Due to Shearer's unexpected death, the whole project is now offered for sale

Picture Will Shearer

Included also: one of two engines - this is a modified A-series

Picture Will Shearer

Fairley Spoke was driven by The Beach Boys

I made a remarkable discovery yesterday when reader, Ogle SX1000 owner and big Beach Boys fan Guy Loveridge contacted me about his favourite band. Did I know the Beach Boys used a Mini Moke when they toured in the UK in november 1966? I knew that as I had seen promotional pictures. Mind you, this was not the 'Mini Surfer' Moke, made by George Barris for The Beach Boys in the US (click here), but a car used for promotion in the UK - probably a BMC demonstrator. Guy found out there were two Mokes used, both green with yellow lettering, and he also found out their registrations after having seen a documentary titled 'The Beach Boys - The Swinging Sixties'. The cars were registered 'LUV 918D' and 'HOA 124D'. Guy wrote: "Of course now I MUST find them and own one if I can!" Did I know anything about them?

When I noticed the second registration number I first hesitated, but then recognized it as the registration on the infamous 'Fairley Spoke'. This was the supercharged Moke raced by former fighter pilot, Tomorrow’s World presenter and BBC race commentator Raymond Baxter, together with his friend Reg Phillips, Chairman of James Fairley Steels of Birmingham, and an avid racer himself. I always thought they took a brand new Moke to build the racer, but apparently they didn't and used a demonstrator instead. A demonstrator that had just been used by The Beach Boys!

Up until the late-1960s the Fairley Spoke made appearances at many sprints and hill climbs with either Phillips, Baxter, or Baxter’s son Graham behind the wheel. It was repainted in orange over cream and further modified several times. In the 1980s the car received a full restoration and it was seen at the Mini’s 30th anniversary party at Silverstone. But by the time both Baxter (2006) as well as Phillips (2008) had passed away, the supercharged Moke had found its way to a Germany, where it was restored once more and now received a 1340cc unit and dark marine colour.

It left Guy disappointed. He wrote: "Shame it has been 'ruined' - I would restore it to 100% 1966 Beach Boy specification!" I am not totally sure about that as I also like the Fairley Spoke provenance, also. Guy added: "I love the Fairley's history, too, but just wish it was not at the expense of a chunk of Beach Boys history! Wonder if the German owner would be thrilled/excited or annoyed to find out?" All I know is that the car was sold about a year ago to a new German owner. Feel free to drop me a line if that's you. Now. Let's see if anybody knows more about LUV 918D...

Two known publicity photos of The Beach Boys in London in a Mini Moke

Pictures Jeroen Booij archive

Reader Guy Loveridge found out there were actually two and they were registered 'LUV 918D' and 'HOA 124D'. That last number certainly seemed familiar to me...

Pictures Guy Loveridge from the documentary 'The Beach Boys - The Swinging Sixties'

Here is HOA 124D in the late 1960s, by which time it had been raced succesfully for a a couple of years by Raymond Baxter and Reg Phillips and was known as the Fairley Spoke

Pictures Jeroen Booij archive

And a couple of years ago in Germany. Does the current owner know about its Beach Boys history?

Pictures Jeroen Booij archive

Le Mans '66 - now in a theatre near you

Of all the races in the world the 24-hours of Le Mans may well be the best known. And of all the 24-hour races at Le Mans, held since 1923, the 1966 edition is perhaps considered as the best of them all. Why? Well, mainly due to the fact that Ford of America, of all marques, managed to beat the mighty Ferrari of Italy, which seemed simply invincible at the time. It's a story often told and clearly one worthy of a movie. In fact that movie has now been made. Yesterday evening it premiered in Europe and tomorrow it will be all over in theatres in the USA also, featuring Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale as Ken Miles in lead roles.

Is there any place in the movie for a tiny little 1289cc Mini Marcos that found its way into the real race back in '66? I haven't seen it yet, but I don't think so. But you and I know that this little racer, run by a miniature team of enthusiasts became the darling of the crowds, was nicknamed 'La Puce Bleu' and came home at an incredible 15th overall in between these monsters of power, speed and fortune. Are you going? I am!

Le Mans '66 is known in the US as Ford vs. Ferrari - that's what it's about

Picture 20th Century Fox

But the real race wasn't just about Ford and Ferrari. At least not for me!

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

This little fellow was, in my view, the most heroic car of the 1966 24-hours of Le Mans!

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

The trailer of Le Mans '66 certainly looks promising

Video 20th Century Fox / Youtube

Beach Car emerges on Helmut Newton picture

An interesting picture, made by the famous photographer Helmut Newton has disclosed the possible existence of another Mini Beach Car. The picture in question was found by Carol Quiniou who stumbled upon it in an old 1964 issue of the French magazine 'Adam' in which it is part of a series with cars and girls. Modeling with the Beach Car is Swedish-French actress Marika Green.

Beach Car prototype owner John Reymondos was surprised as he, too, never saw any other evidence of a red car. John also noted the seats, which seem to be different to the ones in the cars he knows of: "Normally the material looks more like the Fiat Jolly style seats. And the side covers inside are missing. All handles look legit though. Great research - now we need to find the car!"

UPDATE 10 AUGUST 2020: Is this the same car?

Marika Green in a Mini Beach Car in 1964. Does this car survive?
Picture Helmut Newton for Adam magazine, via Carol Quiniou

Keith Lain passes away at 77

I don't intend this to become an in memoriam website, but a number of people involved with Mini based cars have passed recently. Keith Lain is another one of them now, since he died recently and was buried on November 1st. Lain was a former Lotus employee (he worked for Team Lotus at Cheshunt from 1963-onwards) who was one of the members of the club mysteriously known as the ‘Group of 69’ who quitted work at Lotus at the same time and started a variety of projects on their own. Lain worked from a converted farm workshop in Wymondham close to Norfolk, where he also started Minus Cars in the early 1980s.

Lain had played a part in the creation of the Lotuses Europa, Elan Plus 2 and Esprit, but later helped Brian Luff to develop the Status Minipower and Status 365, as he helped Paul Hausauer with the Clan Crusader. Together with Brian Luff he also designed the full fibreglass bodied Status Mini Minus. And when Luff moved to Jersey, he gave the job to Lain. This is where Minus Cars started. Under that banner Lain further developed and manufactured the Minus Mini and the later Minus Maxi, but he also did lots of work for others. He had a hand in the Gilbern Invader Mk4 prototype and in the Lotus Seven S4, he manufactured the last 300 body shells for the Lotus Europa and for some of the John Player Special F1 cars as he was also involved with the development of the Ford powered Strada 4/88, which was made in Saxmundham, Suffolk. Lain became 77 years old. Unfortunately I never met him, although I once made it to his place, unannounced I must admit. This after having found out there were two villages with the same name and with me searching in the wrong way too long to no avail. When I'd finally made it to the right place I learned that Lain had just left off to London.

Keith Lain in the early 1980s, with one of his Minus Maxis

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Keith Lain was involved in a number of Mini based cars, the Status Minipower being the first

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

And followed by the Status 365, dreamt up by Lain's friend, fellow-former Lotus employee and 'Group of '69' member Brian Luff

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

The Minus Mini was initially known as the Status Mini Minus, before Lain took over production

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

The Minus Maxi was next and was fully developed by Lain's Minus Cars of Wymondham

Picture Jeroen Booij

Unipower at the Motor show - 1969 & 2019

When it was new, the Unipower GT was a frequent visitor of motor shows, with the last works appearance in October 1969 when the Mk2 version was on display at the Earl's Court Motor Show in London. There is a lovely little promotional film by British Pathé, which I don't think I have ever included here before (Unipower from 1:26). The narrator: "The Unipower GT can be purchased in kit form for as little as 375 pounds or complete at up to 1,500 pounds. The fibreglass body incorporates a right hand gear shift."

Now, just over 50 years later, there is no doubt that the Unipower is a real classic and therefore it earns its place at the Classic Motor show in Birmingham. No less than three cars are on display this weekend: Tim Carpenter's chassis number 1, Gerry Hulford's racer plus Keith Hamer's car that has turned out to be the prototype as it was seen at the 1966 Racing car Show in London. I hope to be able to write a little more on that soon.

October 1969 - Unipower GT at the Earls Copurt Motor Show in London

Video British Pathé

November 2019 - Unipower GTs at the Classic Motor Show in Birmingham

Picture Pete Flanagan

Ian Shearer passes away at 71

It is with great sadness that I learned about the sudden death of Ian Shearer today. Ian was the designer of the Mini powered Nimbus Coupe and Boxer Sprint cars and was an enormous enthusiast of anything Maximum Mini. His wife Hilary wrote:

"Dear Jeroen, Ian sadly died very suddenly and unexpectedly last Monday 28 October. This has absolutely devastated us. We have decided on a personal committal with just us and then we are going to have a celebration of his life early next year on or around his 72nd birthday, we feel if we did anything now we would not do him justice he achieved so much and we want to share that at a happier time and we know that’s what he would have wanted."

A good decision no doubt as Ian was a rather special man. His life was filled with cars and I remember very well that I tried to track him down for years - with no success- when all of a sudden he found me and contacted me from France, where he'd moved to many years earlier. That was a great surprise and ever since that day Ian was an enthusiast of everything I wrote. He often dropped a line after having read my latest scribblings, giving his unique point of view on them - always very optimistic and helpful. 

He also kept me updated on his projects. Ian had managed to buy back his Boxer prototype two and a half years ago after a long process of finding it (which almost even included a helicopter search) and difficult negotiations (full story here). He was very eager to get that car back on the road. In order to restore it, he had just sold another of his projects through this website a week before his passing (here). Days before his death he wrote: "Now I have made the decision to let the Nimbus Sprint go, I feel more relaxed about the work I am doing on the Boxer, I'm sure you are finding the same as me about the cost of rebuilding a powerful 'A' series, wow!"
May you rest in peace Ian. It was a privilege to know you.

Ian Shearer was positive and kind. Here at Blyton Park in 2015 with Wil Ker's Nimbus Coupe

Picture Jeroen Booij

Ian with the prototype Nimbus Coupe in 1983. Very proud indeed!

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

A rare picture taken during the official launch of the Nimbus Coupe in 1984

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Production of Nimbus Coupe body shells in 1984. Note the remarkably flat floor

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Ian's Boxer Sprint prototype was found back almost three years ago on a farm in Kent

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

The search was painstaking and Ian almost booked a helicopter flight to find it. Picking it up here

Picture Jeroen Booij archive