Quite a story! And it's surprising at least that the Mini, which Brooks created never got any more attention. Dennis continues: "The car's body was all fiberglass, originally 1965 deluxe 998
steel chassis between the sub frames. It had a longer nose and longer tail, with 11 inches extra length overall, wind up windows and a one inch shorter windscreen from a Morris Minor 1000, Volkswagen rear quarter windows, stock rear window and 1100-esque fold down boot and tail lights. Compared to the standard Mini 100 kg weight was saved."
So what happened to it? Dennis: "It was built in 1968 and finished in '69 and is seen at the Mini dealer (Boniley's Motor Center, South Australia) on these pictures where it was to get the suspension charged. I acquired it in 1974 from my father who built it and it was the first of four Minis I owned. I sold it in '76 and it ended up in New Zealand. Don't know where it is now. I wish I still had pics of it as finished!"
And he had another little surprise: "Don' know if your interested but I have a photo of another car made by Samuel. A Morris minor 100 utility converted to a five seat wagon. Sam converted 3 Morris utes, this was our family car when I was about 4yrs old, 60 years ago now. Enjoy. Regards, Dennis"
Love it! Now, is there anyone who would know more about Samuel Brooks' Mini Special. Could it still be somewhere in New Zealand?
The fibreglass bodied Brooks Mini Special, made by former Lightburn engineer Samuel Brooks
Picture courtesy Dennis Brooks
That's Samuel Brooks. Note the lack of a window frame on the driver's door, glass is just visible
Picture courtesy Dennis Brooks
Mini rear window but "1100-esque fold down boot and tail lights. 100 kg weight was saved"
Picture courtesy Dennis Brooks
Plus another Samuel Brooks-creation: a Morris Minor 'Ute'. One of three made
Picture courtesy Dennis Brooks
Fantastic pictures;)
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