Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #120

Original Mini Beach Car doesn't sell

Crayford Mini Mojito Mk2 launched

Austin Seven Rimini launched

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #11

More Mini Beach Car Replicas

Ogles in Japan (6) - 219 UNK

Viking Hornet convertible found

Is Crayford Mini Mojito a Beach Car replica?

Hey! A brand new Mini based car to be unveiled, that's been a while hasn't it? 

You may or may not have noted that the Crayford name was revived recently and they now unveil their first new car during the London concours that has just opened its doors at the gardens of the Honourable Artillery Company’s headquarters in central London. Ladies and gentleman: the Crayford Mini Mojito.

There seems to be little doubt about the Beach Car inspiration, although there are several differences, too. A full floating canopy roof in the first place, which only one of the original Beach Cars had ...plus the one-off Crayford Carnival, which was made in 1980. You also won't find wicker furniture inside but leather instead and a floor made of teak wood. There is also 'An optional fully-electric powertrain that’s been designed and built in the UK and neatly packaged under the bonnet'. Crayford’s director Kent Thirley told Classic Driver: “The Mojito is built for today’s market and meets the expectations that come with that. It drives and handles as well as it looks – pretty special". Is it a Beach Car replica? More or less than Mengers' Beach Mini, which was unveiled a year ago? 

Thirley further adds: “For me, Crayford is an icon of British motoring and we’ve spent the last two years assembling a team to revive the brand in a way that remains loyal to its 64-year heritage and creative spirit. The original mission statement penned by the founders of Crayford in the early 1960s was ‘to design and build cars that are unique, to redefine what’s possible when you harness devotion and innovation'". No price has yet been mentioned, further information can be found here.

Crayford Mini Mojito is unveiled today at the London Concours

Picture Crayford Automobiles via Classic Driver

Mk1 Mini based, but styling is sharper than the original Beach Car 

Picture Crayford Automobiles via Classic Driver

And then there's a fully floating canopy roof for a change!

Picture Crayford Automobiles via Classic Driver

Hang on... the 1980 Crayford Carnival one-off had that, too

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

"The Mini Mojito's look is authentically 1962 and stylish simple"

Picture Crayford Automobiles via Classic Driver

No 'Lloyd Loom' wicker this time, but cream coloured leather instead

Picture Crayford Automobiles via Classic Driver

757 UYN started life as a standard Morris Mini in 1962

Picture Crayford Automobiles via Classic Driver

Original Mini Beach Car (top) and Crayford Mini Mojito below

Picture Crayford Automobiles via Classic Driver / archive

Crayford Cameo: any survivors?

Crayford Engineering of Kent were the number one in Mini convertible conversions, building them from as early as 1961 up until as late as 1983. They turned a number of Mini Clubman's in convertibles in the early 1970s also, which they called the Crayford Cameo. From their press statement: 

"The Cameo is the latest convertible variant based on the Mini theme. It is the result of many years of development and production by Crayford and utilises the very latest chassis installation to ensure maximum torsional rigidity. The rear windows remain in place in their original form with opening clasp permitting full ventilation as on the original saloon, and the convertible top folds down in one easy action." The conversion alone came at 195 pounds.

I have some PR pictures of the car but have never seen one in the flesh. Are there any survivors at all?

The Crayford Cameo convertible was based on a 1970s Mini Clubman

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

A black hood was standard but all the cars I have pictures of have white ones, like this FHV 167J

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

The same car again, now with Crayford boss David MacMullan posing in 1971

Picture Crayford Convertible Car Club

And yet another, judging by the colour. But who ever saw a survivor of the Cameo?

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Crayford in Knokke

This smart Crayford Mini Sprint in Tweed Grey was spotted this summer in Knokke-Heist, Belgium. I believe it could well be the car that was sold at Coys' Fontwell sale in 2017 (click here). It was registered 1070 PP in the UK at the time and right hand driven, while this one is lhd. The same car..?

Smart Crayford Mini Sprint, as seen in Belgium this summer

Picture via Jacques de Wever

Market round up (Autumn 2019)

Is it autumn yet? I'm not sure but fact is that there are plenty of cars offered for sale at the moment. So it's about time for a little look at what Mini derivatives are in the market right now.

An ABC Tricar with a modified body in Yorkshire

Seen for sale Here

A Mini Mouse, again with a modified body and in the US

Seen for sale Here

A Robert Mandry-built RTV that's ready to run

Seen for sale Here

A Ranger Pick Up that needs lots of work

Seen for sale Here

And a very good looking Jiffy
Seen for sale Here

An ABS Freestyle in The Netherlands
Seen for sale Here

And a Midas in Belgium

Seen for sale Here

Nice AEM Scout, unfortunately horribly photographed

Seen for sale Here


Hustler Six to be auctioned by Bonhams
Seen for sale Here


GTM Rossa Mk2 with low-mileage 1275 engine
Seen for sale Here

That Status 365 again. Who dares?

Seen for sale Here

And who is going to finish this Mini Wildgoose project?

Seen for sale Here

Or how about an Outspan Orange Mini? Said to be the prototype

Seen for sale Here

Funny looking Scamp Mk1 in checker plate wear

Seen for sale Here

The Silcoates Ascender has been seen here before

Seen for sale Here

Beatifully restored Crayford Mini Sprint

Seen for sale Here

Lovely Whitby Morrison Batman ice cream van

Seen for sale Here

A very colourful Hrubon Schmitt in France

Seen for sale Here

Banham Sprint with fast engine

Seen for sale Here

Rare Japan-built Moke Sports Tottini in the UK

Seen for sale Here

A British registered Jimini found in France

Seen for sale Here

Correctly registered Scamp Mk2

Seen for sale Here

Mini Marcos Mk3, looks like a lovely project
Seen for sale Here

Another Jimini, this on on the Cote d'Azur
Seen for sale Here

Crayfords-Radfords come in pairs

Coachbuilt Minis come in many flavours, but two of my favourites are the Radford Mini De Ville and the Crayford Mini Convertible, or Mini Sprint. Now, how about the two as a duo? These pictures show at least two of these pairs have been completed, one in Spain and one in Japan. Ever saw another set? 

Radford Mini De Ville and Crayford Mini Convertible, seen together in Spain

Picture Luismi Molina

Both rare and very cool and look outstanding. Which of the two would you prefer? 

Picture Luismi Molina

And another similar pair, this one as seen in Japan. The Radfdord was previously brown also 

Picture MN HK

UK 'C' and 'D' registration (1965 and 1966) are still with the cars, or so it seems

Picture MN HK

Who converted Françoises Mini?

French novelist Françoise Sagan had a soft spot for big dogs and fast open top cars. The web is full of pictures of her in droptop Jaguars, Aston Martins, Ferraris, ACs, Lancias and Lotuses, often accompanied by a shepherd dog. But a Mini? Hey, it appears she had one for scooting around in Paris, too. And it was not a regular model either. This Mini - a Mk2 Austin Cooper - was converted into a cabriolet. But by who? I don't think it was a Crayford with no hood to be seen. Or am I wrong? I do know there were several cabriolet conversions haling from France but don't know very much about them. Do you?

Kosellek Mini Cabriolet (mid 1960s)
Jacky Mini Plage (late 1960s)
ATA Many Mego Mini Cabriolet (1970s or 1980s)
Fayard Mini Cabriolet (1970s or 1980s)
ENAC Mini Mayfair Cabriolet (mid 1980s)
Arc de Triomphe Mini Cabriolet (1988-1998)

Francoise Sagan, her dog and one of many cabriolets. Who converted it?

Picture via François Tasiaux

A Mini based eight- (8) wheeler!

Just when you think you've seen it all, someone drops in a line with something you'd never thought of before. Well, it happens to me every now and the line that Chaz Ing dropped this week was another eye opener. I know of many Mini based four-wheelers; I've seen quite a few Mini-based three-wheelers, there have been several Mini based six-wheelers and I even know about Mini based two-wheelers and Mini based tracked vehicles. But a Mini based eight-wheeler? Good grief, I did not know that existed.

But it does, and there is in fact one for sale in Powys, Wales, at the moment - see the ad here. It's an ATV Argocat, which I did know as a two-stroke twin cylinder powered contraption, offered for sale by Crayford Auto Development of Kent. Yep, they were the same company which converted Minis into convertibles since 1962. I don't know if this four-wheel steered 1000cc Mini automatic powered version comes from them, too, but I'd love to find out.

This ATV Argocat does use Mini power to drive eight wheels, two of them removed here

Picture courtesy Ebay.co.uk

The 1000 engine is placed longitudinally next to seat. How is it constructed to drive the wheels?

Picture courtesy Ebay.co.uk

This contraption appears to have nearly been buried in Wales until not too long ago. It's for sale now

Picture courtesy Ebay.co.uk

Crayford's Argocat sold strong in the 1970s, but did they ever build a Mini based version?

Picture Jeroen Booij archive