Regular Rob Mellaart sent me a cool photograph that he took next to the Biota work shop in Dinnington when he worked for Biota manufacturer Houghton Coldwell for nearly two years. What we see is a chopped Mini with a Biota bonnet section grafted onto it. I wonder if it was equipped with the Biota boot also, as seen in period advertisements? Rob couldn't remember.
Apart from the ads I found in the files I came across just one more (sketchy) picture of a car which uses a Biota front and I believe it to be a Mini Marcos. Now that's a rare breed! Who ever saw any other Mini or derivative with Biota bonnet or boot fitted?
Spotted at the Biota factory in 1970 - a chopped Mini with Biota bonnet
Picture courtesy Robert Mellaart
Here's another Biota bonnet but now it is fitted to a Mini Marcos (I think)!
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
'The Bonnet Beautiful' is how Houghton Coldwell marketed its Biota nose
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
And another great pay-off: 'Fresh as the decade - Cars for the Seventies people'!
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Apart from the bonnet, Houghton Coldwell also offered a Biota boot for Minis. I've never seen one
Picture Jeroen Booij archive
Great update Jeroen.
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