Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #86

Meet the Broadsprint Coupe

Deep Sanderson 301 sells

New pictures of the lost Coldwell GT of Macau

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #62

Film footage of Gitane GT in action found

Le Mans Mini Marcos: engine turned pattern dashpots

Deep Sanderson 301 for sale again

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #29

The Best of 'Minis at Le Mans'

The Ogle that almost made it to Le Mans

Le Mans' coolest trick: the Marcos' modified roof

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #14

Available again: Ridgway Sports Conversions front end

Minis at the 'Ring (part 3) - crashing another Deep Sanderson

Bonkers Mengers Mini Mokes for sale

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #9

Minis at the 'Ring (2): Deep Sanderson 301 at 1000kms race, May 1963

A comprehensive look at the car number 97 and its preparation 

Late 1960s Scamp Mk1 - unknown, unbuilt and... unregistered

Jem Marsh and the Mk4 Mini Marcos, not built by Marcos Cars

Original Le Mans Deep Sanderson mechanic speaks

After the historic Le Mans Mini Marcos mechanic of Monday (here), over to the next one! Billy Williams was part of the Deep Sanderson team at Le Mans in 1963 and 1964 (full stories here and here) and I got in touch with him recently. This is what he told me: 

"The people at Le Mans were Bob Michel and myself and we were at Mulsanne on the pit board and timing. Mechanics were Rod Cooper, Jim Gavin (Jim started lawn mower racing in this country and competed in I think the London to Sydney rally) and Terry Hobson (these three guys started super sports racing and later on in my career I worked for them building rally cars). There was also Nick Arousof, a Russian name but I'm not sure of the spelling, he was ex-Lola and our foreman was John Harvey."

"I do remember working late for several days getting the cars together. We had a Mk7 Jaguar with a caravan converted to a trailer and some of the boys slept in it at Le Mans. I didn’t travel down with the cars as I travelled with John Terry and Jim in Chris Lawrence’s own road car which was a Chevy Corvair he had bought from the Motor Show at Earls Court London. We had terrible trouble on the way down with a smell of automatic gearbox fluid leaking on the exhaust."

"At Le Mans Jim Donnelly did crash the car in practice. His nickname was Twin Min Jim, as he was the only guy who could link the gear changes on the deep Sanderson twin engined single seater with Mini engines. What happened was the fan belt came loose on the car and in those days you had to do 13 laps before you could do any work on the car. It did only 11 laps before it overheated so that was that end of the race."

"After Le Mans Chris and his wife and also Jim and wife went to the south of France for a holiday. A few weeks later driving back it appears that Chris fell asleep at the wheel due to fumes from the gearbox and had a huge accident. They were all in hospital for a few weeks we were back in the garage keeping it running but I think that was the start of the end of LawrenceTune. Months later I was poached to go to an F3 team, Charles Lucas Engineering, and the three boys started Supersports Engines. Cheers, Billy."

Thank you very much Billy!

A young Billy Williams behind the just finished Le Mans racer in the UK

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Chris Lawrence with the Deep Sanderson Twini at Mallory Park. Billy behind again

Picture PA Images / Getty Images

Deep Sanderson 301 - where is it?

How many Deep Sanderson 301s were made? No-one seems to know for sure and all the figures that I have come across and heard about, including from its late-creator Chris Lawrence himself, can be taken with a pinch of salt, or so it seems.

But surprises still come. One was found in Mexico City two years ago (click), while a sole picture of another yellow mystery car (here) has been haunting me for some time, too. And now another sign from this car turned up in the shape of an old advert. I found it in a 1968 copy of Motorsport magazine, so very old indeed. But despite being a much darker colour it does seem to be the same car registerd 'CPP 929F'. Where is it now?

A Deep Sanderson 301 is seen for sale... in 1968. Another survivor?

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

60 Years ago: pre-launch of the Deep Sanderson 301

These cool pictures have been in the Maximum Mini files for ages and I thought I'd share them with you now. They are unique photographs of the Deep Sanderson 301 production car's pre-launch - well, I believe it to be that. The 301 was of course officially launched at the Racing Car Show of January 1963, but these pictures are not taken there. And so I can only think of this being a private little party to celebrate the car getting ready for its first showing to the world, probably in Acton where it was built by LawrenceTune Engineering. I have never seen them anywhere else. Anyone who knows more is welcome to add any further information.

 

The Deep Sanderson 301 was unveiled at the Racing car Show in January 1963...

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

...But these photos were taken elsewhere. I think at a pre-launch party

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

They show the car having just been finished and probably days before the show

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

The engine was a 997 Cooper with LawrenceTune fettling good for 59.4bhp at 6,300rpm

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Mini derivatives at Goodwood Members' Meeting

No less than four Mini based sports cars can be seen in action at the Goodwood Members' Meeting this very weekend and how nice to park all four of them next to each other in the paddock! All the best gentlemen! They are, from left to right:

Number 15 - Fletcher GT raced by Jonathan Kent

Number 301 - Deep Sanderson 301 raced by David Keers-Trafford

Number 29 - Ogle SX1000 raced by Paul Auston

Number 7 - Ogle SX1000 raced by Mark Burnett

Fletcher GT, Deep Sanderson 301 and 2 x Ogle SX1000 in the Goodwood paddock

Picture Mark Burnett

Happy 2022 - Deep Sanderson is Find of the Year 2021

Happy New Year! 

We have a winner here: the Deep Sanderson 301 found in Mexico-City last year received the most votes for the Maximum Mini Find of the Year contest, so congratulations to its finder Henry Davis and owner Victor Milke. 

Victor is a happy man: "Dear Jeroen: Happy new year! May it be a great one! Thanks for the results on the poll. I am glad the car community has an interesting project to restore... and eventually I will get to my task. The idea still is to restore it as a regular driver, not a racer. So far, only gathering a few parts. I bought a steering wheel that could work on it and switches and small bits so far. Best wishes! Victor"

Maximum Mini Find of the Year 2021: the Deep Sanderson 301 of Mexico-City

Picture courtesy Victor Milke

The car was unearthed from its long-term hiding place in March last year

Picture courtesy Victor Milke

Find of the Year 2021: the candidates

Well-well, 2021 was a remarkable year when it came to long-lost Mini based cars. With 24 exciting discoveries in sheds, barns, gardens and woods the number of Mini derivatives being rediscovered keeps on growing. It's not easy to make a top-5 with so many exiting finds. From Broadspeed GT to Magnum Spectre, and from pairs of Ranger Cubs, ABC Tricars as well as Scamp six-wheelers to the unique AC Donington.

Like last year, I found a few cars myself with Belgium proving to be excellent finding ground: there was the 1967 Cox GTM in a garage in Belgium, the sole GTM 'Euro' Coupe in a Belgian lock-up and the Ogle SX1000 which was originally sold to Belgium and had always remained there. But there was also the Guinness World Record 'blind drive' RTV in bramble bushes in England and the Dutch Barclay Mini Bug.

Now, to vote simply drop a message below or send me an e-mail if you like. The one with the most votes wins the title 'Maximum Mini Find of the Year 2021'. Over to the 5 candidates.

Pellandini number 1. The first and only space framed Pellandini as built by Peter Pellandine in Australia was one of three Pellandinis resurfacing recently, this one with an Aussie crash repairer. (full story here)

The Ogle Mini prototype. A one-owner car for more than 50 years, this is believed to be the first Ogle Mini built. It was sold last May with the restoration starting straight away. (full story here)

The Ogle SX1000 in Belgium. Another Ogle with another unusual story. This one spent all of its life in Belgium after being sold by Mini racer Julien Vernaeve there when new (full story here)

The Deep Sanderson 301 in Mexico. This was one find I could hardly believe myself - a Deep Sanderson 301 road car in a very original state resurfaced in Mexico-City in March. (full story here)

The Nimbus Coupe prototype. The prototype that was later turned into a successful racer by Gary Shillabeer was freed from bramble bushes in rural Dorset in May. (full story here)

Lining up the Mini derivatives!

There's no doubt that Mini derivatives are gaining popularity. The NEC in Birmingham was the venue of a classic car show last weekend and the Minikits Club had really done its best to show a wide variety of Mini based cars, which had worked out particularly well. On their display not only three Stimson cars (Mini Bug, Trek and Scorcher) but also a lovely TiCi and ultra-rare Hustler Sport. They also had a separate corner with a Mini Marcos and two GTM Coupes in primary colours red, blue and yellow. Well done boys! 

Another display which looked particularly good was that of the Unipower GT Owners Club & Register, with three cars on display: Mark Glashier's road car, a chassis/body under construction and Gerry Hulford's racer. Gerry has also just finished a long-awaited book on the Unipower marque, of which I hope to receive a copy soon.

Meanwhile, Curborough track was the scene for a photo shoot of four Mini based beauties, soon to star in Classic & Sports car magazine. Two of them with the power at the front wheels - a Mini Jem and an Ogle SX1000 - and two with the power at the rear - a Unipower GT and a Deep Sanderson 301. Roger Garland was there to assist and take a few pictures himself, which he flashed over. He added: "We had tried to get a recently restored GTM, but the owner had to work that day. We also had difficulty finding a suitable Mini Marcos, hence the Mini Jem - a very capable substitute!" Absolutely, and thank you very much Roger. Soon in their full glory at the newsstand near you, or so I understand!

Curborough track last week: Unipower GT, Mini Jem, Ogle SX1000, Deep Sanderson 301

Picture courtesy Roger Garland 

NEC Birmingham last weekend: Hustler Sport, TiCi, Stimsons Scorcher, Mini Bug and Trek

Picture CMH Photography / Minikits

And more from Minikits: GTM Coupe, Mini Marcos and another GTM Coupe

Picture CMH Photography / Minikits

The Hustler is a real rarity. "The work that has gone in to it is unreal", said Minikits-man Paul Wylde

Picture CMH Photography / Minikits

 "The guy restores and makes panels for rare Astin Martins and spent his youth there"

Picture CMH Photography / Minikits

Stimsons had come out in force for the Minikits club stand. Purple Mini Bug...

Picture CMH Photography / Minikits

...And the Stimson Scorcher of Minikits' driving force Paul Wylde...

Picture CMH Photography / Minikits

...Plus a Stimson Trek found by Barry Tilbury a couple of years ago now

Picture CMH Photography / Minikits

Also on display with Minikits this well known TiCi to ad more colour!

Picture courtesy Paul Wylde

Also at the NEC was the Unipower GT Owners Club & Register, with Gerry Hulford's racer front

Picture courtesy Paul Wylde

...As well as the lovely road car in similar bright yellow owned by Mark Glaisher now...

Picture courtesy Paul Wylde

...And a chassis/body that is under restoration. Good to see these cars being restored

Picture courtesy Paul Wylde

More Unipower at the Curborough track last week. That's Tim Carpenter's car

Picture courtesy Roger Garland

...And the other rear engined Mini marvel there: Robi Bernberg's Deep Sanderson 301...

Picture courtesy Roger Garland

...While this left hand driven Ogle SX1000 racer is owned by Guy Loveridge...

Picture courtesy Roger Garland

...And the freshly restored Mini Jem Mk1 of Goff Allen, who had a Mk2 before

Picture courtesy Roger Garland

Deep Sanderson found in Mexico-City (3)

You've read all about the discovery of a Deep Sanderson in Mexico-City (here) and the considerations of the man who found it (here) - now over to the man who bought it, with bits and pieces from the messages I received in the last two weeks or so:

15 February: Dear Jeroen, as Henry said, my name is Victor Milke. He found the car and evaluated purchasing it for himself, but I am very grateful to him that he is letting me purchase it. I have been looking for a Mini, which are rather rare and expensive down here... but to my surprise, this Deep Sanderson 301 not only fits the bill, but is also a very attractive one and with a great marque history and rarity! It seems like a very good car that perhaps with a good cleaning and recommissioning can be put back in the street. That is what I intend to do, at least that is the plan for the time being and even before seeing the car in person... performing a sympathetic restoration, aiming more to getting a nice usable little car in the end than a racing car or a beauty queen. I believe cars were meant to be used. I should have it in a couple of weeks and will send more detailed pics of whatever interesting bits I find, numbers or anything that you may consider useful to try to determine a bit more of the car's history, in case you could help me a bit with that.

16 February: It is apparently fitted with the 1960 Morris Minor engine of a car that was sold originally in 1960 in Mexico and was registered to that car's original papers. Unfortunately there is not much history on the car's papers, from what the seller tells us, but I will find out once I get it and update you with any interesting info. 

25 February: Dear Jeroen, the car is being picked up today but will be stored at a friend's place for a couple of days before making the trip to me. Once I get it I will give it a good cleaning and make a through inspection of the car which may tell us a bit more about it. I will have better pics for you soon... and I will be trying to find out a bit on history about it. The invoice has the past owners mentioned and signing on its back (that is how you transfer property down here), and I will try to locate some of them to see if I can find out something about it. The invoice, as I believe Henry or me mentioned, is really from a 1960 Morris Mini 850... surely that car was scrapped with its mechanical components used to assemble the Deep Sanderson on an original kit car that was somehow imported into the country. That is my theory. 

26 February: I am a purist and will prefer to do the car as a kit car for a sporty and cute toy... and not a racer. Therefore, no Minilites are on my scope, but the original wheels and hubcaps and I would love to see your pics of the dashboard of that particular car or any other original pics that will show what the cars used as interior light switches, etc... as I would would love to find suitable original type (probably Lucas) bits and pieces.

26 February: The car is stored at my friend's ware house in Mexico city now, just at the exit to the highway there... and one hour or more away from where it was this morning. I live 2.5 hours further north, but we have road repairs and the trip could take very long. I never went to see it and trusted Henry with his description and pics.

1 March: Dear Jeroen: The car arrived. I am pretty excited! It is a bit worse than what I saw in pictures, in the sense that I need to do everything... I was kind of dreaming that I could save the paint or interior, but no, I will have to do them... But the car looks pretty complete, not damaged or tampered with... so it is basically a great little project. We are doing a good initial cleaning and I will then be able to look at it better. Rat excrements made me not want to get inside and look at dashboard and details.... but I am attaching a few pics for you to see a bit more of the car. Later today, I will install a battery and start looking at what those switches are for. 

1 March: I would surely love to get a new wiring loom. But I wasn't sure if a Mini one would work, as this one has additional instrumentation and car size may also play a trick... it looks like headlights are far away from dashboard, at least comparing with a Mini. I was thinking of doing a new wiring installation to measure, trying to make it look as original as much as possible. For the time being, I will keep the engine it has... but I need to find the correct carburator. Currently it has a terrible installation of a Japanese unit and a water tank in the place where the carb should have been. 

2 March: Those holes in the front bonnet (probably Buick fender portholes), will be the first thing to go, once I paint the car. I am considering Primrose Yellow... to try to resemble the prototype ARX2, but I don't know yet. Yes, the carb will need to be replaced for originals, horizontal or twin SUs, don't worry. And I will have to find out what could be correct before that. Great that you tell me on the Mini wiring loom. I will get one soon, and also the interior switches and bits. Thanks again for all your help, Victor

So there we go for now. The car's history is still pretty much shrouded in mystery, but I'm sure we'll be able find out more. If anyone does have more on the background of this car in Mexico or wherever before, please get in touch. Myself and Victor would surely much appreciate that.

Cleaned and now with its new owner - the Deep Sanderson will stay in Mexico

Picture Victor Milke

"I was kind of dreaming that I could save the paint or interior, but no, I will have to do them... But the car looks pretty complete, not damaged or tampered with"

Picture Victor Milke

About two weeks earlier: the car is moved into the daylight for the first time in many years

Picture via Victor Milke

It's still a bit of a mystery exactly how this Deep Sanderson ended up in Mexico

Picture via Victor Milke

And up the flat bed trailer to make the trip from Mexico-City to its new home up north

Picture via Victor Milke

"The car looks pretty complete, not damaged or tampered with... so it is basically a great little project"

Picture Victor Milke

It will be in good company, too. Victor owns a number of other classic (sports) cars

Picture Victor Milke