It is one of my great frustrations when I can't quite find out the origins of a Mini based car. And the coachbuilt NJC Mini was a prime example. Who was behind it? How many did they build? Who did they sell their cars to? And what did the NJC name stand for in the first place? The only clue had been an article in Cars & Car Conversions magazine, but that mostly trumpeted over the car's appearance and build while it didn't say much about its origins.
But then I got in touch with Nick Cloot recently, who had in fact been one of the persons who built these cars back in the late 1970s. What's more: he was more than happy to tell the tale of how they came about. He thinks as many as 9 may have been built although not all of those have been accounted for as of yet. The NJC Minis had some fascinating details in- and outside, among these wheel arches hand made in steel and strong enough to jack up the car, Storno radiophones, airconditioning systems and - the piece-the-resistance - electronic dashboards. The first of them was sold to a Lebanese businessman for use in central London, with more to follow.
I'd photographed a car years ago, which now seems to be the sole survivor (unless you know better). Together with all the information from Nick and some historical material he'd kept, the full story of the NJC Minis is now published in MiniWorld magazine's May issue. Oh - and we now know what NJC stands for, too! It's for Nick and John Costalas, who were the car's instigators.
NJC was named after Nick, John costallas
ReplyDeleteI worked there in the 80s . There was a mini rolls one that had Mercedes stacked headlights full leather and sheep skin rugs . Also a 1450 turbo mini in yellow, I never saw it Finished off
ReplyDeleteworked for them in early days 1975-77 ,they rented a unit behind portlet garage in Portland road Luton,both would drive in from Watford area.Bob Newman managed the garage ,Bob and nick had worked for wood and pickett. John was the electrician, building digital speedos and fitting phones etc.. Nick would strip out new minis ,deseam,fit vauxhall twin headlight setups... They would send interior door cards ,dash units to be leather trimmed. remember one being built for Bob,sprayed in portlet workshop ,same colour as the maroon one above.
ReplyDeleteVehicles built for Peter sellers, big mini collector, minis built for Saudi customers also remember ,rolls royces coming in too have special upgrades,arab customers... mini coopers had been previously built in for upgrades, amazing vehicles with fresh leather interiors. kept in touch when they went to Watford..
if anyone in touch with Bob and Cheryl,or nick and John ,would love to meet them again ..