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Wednesday, 5 February 2020

More on New Zealand's 'Jones & Baker Bros Special'

A great number of Mini derivatives has been shrouded in mystery since they were conceived, although information on a great number was disclosed in the Maximum Mini books. Still, of some cars not very much could be found, making these a continuous quest for more to me!

In Maximum Mini 3 I wrote about the 'Jones & Baker Bros Special':
"From Rotorua, New Zealand, came this unusual 1960s Special. The car is said to have been built by Eddie Jones together with the Baker Bros, who ran a garage in Rotorua and had previously been responsible for a string of other Specials. The base vehicle was a crashed Austin Mini Countryman. Once finished and now with long bonnet plus sharp sloping hatchback rear door, there was nothing of the woody recognizable any more. The new body was all-steel. The car came out of a shed in 2015 after Eddie Jones had passed away."

In the meantime a few more pictures have been unearthed as the car appears to have been sold after having spent 15 to 20 years in the said shed. More information is still very welcome though!

Jones & Baker Bros Special was built in Rotorua, New Zealand, supposedly in late 1960s 
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

The car used Austin Mini mechanicals, hiding them well under that long bonnet. Body is all-steel
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

It languished in a shed for 15 to 20 years, but came out more recently. Note truncated rear
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Austin Mini sourced engine comes with one carburetor. An 850?
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Inside picture shows neat finishing. And a third brake light, too
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Carpets removed - apparently the basis of this car was still very good. Where is it now?
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

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