Yet another Beach Car has turned up in the US! And this is a bit of an oddball. Based on the data from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust we know that between December 1961 and March 1962, fourteen Minis with consecutive chassis numbers were converted into Beach Cars. All of these were Austins and all of them left-hand-driven and with destination 'USA'. Apart from these fourteen production cars, there were two earlier prototypes, but that's it.
Or not? As it now appears now there have been four more Minis converted into Beach Cars. Earlier this summer, a fifteenth Beach Car resurfaced in the US. And unlike all the others, this car was based on a Morris Mini and is believed to have been one of a later series of another four, built in November 1963. The car found was sold new to August 'Gussie' Bush junior, known for his brewing empire (Budweiser) and baseball career (St Louis Cardinals). Bush drove the car for twenty years, after which it ended up in a barn in Iowa, from which it was only rescued now.
From the Heritage certificate we learn that the car was originally Snowberry White with a Tartan Red roof in colour, with red wicker basket seats. As the owner Steve Myers says in this video, it's possible that the red seat frames were meant here? The wicker is still hidden under white covers, but certainly doesn't seem to be red. Could this one be the same car? Who knows more?
UPDATE 14:00 - there is uncertainty about the car's identity. It is a genuine Mini Beach Car but despite the Morris badging it is most probably an Austin, too, just like its siblings.
I don't see how to get ahold of you but I can confirm that this is a Morris and not an Austin. Morris and Austins are designated in the first digit of the Chassis Number and this one has a M and not an A. Also they original title from 1964 lists it as a Morris and not at Austin. It was also confirmed by the Heritage Trust that one of the four cars built in the last run was built as a Morris and not an Austin.
ReplyDeletePlease do confirm Steve
Delete