Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #21

Broadspeed's own Broadspeed GT

Scamps at Santa Pod

The fascinating legacy of Quasar Unipower guru Danny Chabaud

Market round-up (Summer 2020)

Just a few remarkable Mini derivatives that have made it to the market lately. Perhaps there's one for you among them..? Keep those tips coming.

That Autocom Buggy again! Snapped up by a Frenchman who had big plans for restoring it (here), but offering it once more. It doesn't seem much happened to it (click here)

What's better than a TiCi? Two TiCis of course! Great project cars for sale in Billingham, UK

Good looking Magenta with 1275 engine is seen for sale in Sawbridgeworth here

This tricycle was advertised as Owen Greenwood's famous trike but it's certainly not that!

I quite like this neat GTM Coupe that is offered for sale in Brittany, France (here)

And another one in France, just a bit more work to be done on this one! (here)

Let's continue the GTM theme. This looks like a great Rossa Mk1 in white with blue to me

Or do you prefer yours with red instead? This one is seen for sale in Lincolnshire here 

Strong money for a Scamp Mk1 but at least it looked to be a proper car (here)

And another Scamp Mk1 that seems cheap compared to it. Still for sale here

UPDATE 10:15: Buyers beware. I have been tipped off about the ad which is very likely a scam

This AEM Scout is badged as a 'Mole', which I found rather funny!

Grantura Yak looked okay and wasn't expensive I recall. Can't find the ad now. Anyone?

Serra MG Crazy is perhaps not quite so crazy

You know I squeeze in an Austin or Morris 1100 based vehicle here every now and then and I think it's time for just another now. Keeping in with the Spanish theme of earlier this week (Mini Jaba, click here), let's have a look at the MG Crazy. This was an MG 1300 based car built by Spanish coachbuilder Pedro Serra.

I found out that Serra had been offering a plush variant of the MG 1300 (the Spanish version as built by Authi of Pamplona) for some time in the 1960s. This was called the MG 1300 'Equiped by Serra' and came with the usual lavish coachbuilder's stuff. Leather, wood, carpeting, chrome plus the necessary extras such as wheel covers, sun roof and foggies.

But it didn't stop there. In 1969 Serra launched a full conversion of the MG 1300, now named MG Crazy. This was quite something else. Again, it was based on an Authi built car, but all of its original body had gone to make place for a brand new one in the style of a 1930s roadster. Not unlike the Siata Spring which came sometimes earlier and certainly also not unlike the MG 1300 based Magenta, which saw the light of day in Yorkshire three years later. It really makes you wonder if Mister Magenta Steve Johnson (click here) was inspired by the Serra design!

Anyway: the car was launched at the 1969 Barcelona Motor show and Pedro Serra hoped for production. That didn't happen. It was relaunched two years later at the same show in a slightly modified variant - just visible in a movie clip (click here and see it at around 0:30). Still, it never became a succes. Supposedly because it was too costly to build. Just 3 to 6 MG Crazy's are believed to have been made, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were even less. One was on show on a Serra themed display at the Barcelona Classic car show in 2017 and that's the one seen here.
I would like to find out more. Who helps me?

MG 1300 'Equipped by Serra' was a coachbuilt version of the Spanish made Authi MG 1300

Picture todocolleccion.net

El Fabuloso - the fabulous - Serra MG 1300 has to be rare. Who did ever see one one?

Picture todocolleccion.net

And then there's this: the Serra MG Crazy, as seen on the 2017 Barcelona Classic Car show

Picture Pere Nubolia photography

Small retro roadsters were a thing in the late-1960s, early-1970s. Think Magenta, think Siata Spring

Picture Pere Nubolia photography

Neat interior cannot totally hide its MG 1300 origins. I wonder if its body is GRP or aluminium?

Picture Pere Nubolia photography

MG Crazy - that has to be one of the crazier names ever to have graced a car

Picture Pere Nubolia photography

This example was seen in Barcelona in 2017. Who knows more? Note historical photos left

Picture Pere Nubolia photography

A different car, or the same? This was taken during the 1971 Barcelona Motor Show

Picture RTVE.es / Filmoteca Espanola

Market round up (Autumn 2018)

Time for the traditional market round-up, and although the end of Summer is not there yet (just a couple of days left), I call this one the Autumn 2018 edition. You have made me aware of another great number of Mini based cars offered for sale in the last couple of weeks, and I have added another few to these. Keep them coming!

A rare Andersen Cub Six-wheeler, this one is said to be imported from South-Africa. Ad here.

Deep Sanderson 301 is for sale once again, now in France. The price fluctuates heavily. Ad here.

Stimson Mini Bug project with no paperwork in Chelmsford. Cheap though. Ad here.

This Wood & Pickett Mini is seen for sale for some time now. I really like it. Ad here.

This is the Stimson Scorcher from the derelict collection that came by here several times. Ad here.

Rare ASD Hobo was spotted for sale before, too. Come on, somebody give it some tlc! Ad here.

Many of you tipped me about this intriguing Mini based wedge. I am still hoping to find out its history. Ad here.

Another mystery: a Moke replica, presumably home-made and looking rather good. Ad here.

This Scamp Mk2 sppears to be fully ready for the Christmas tree already! Ad here.

A very green Magenta Sprint. This one is in as new condition. Ad here.

Cool Unipower GT with racing history from the other side of the ocean. Ad here.

A right hand driven Midas Bronze in Belgium. Love the colours. Ad here.

French Mk4 Mini Marcos comes with a rather strong asking price. Ad here. 

Hrubon Phaeton, or is it a Schmitt? For sale in southern France. Ad here.

Q-reg Hustler Six is seen in an auction in North-Yorkshire. Ad here.

Birchall McCoy is said to need just some finishing touches. Cheap. Ad here.

Good-looking Foers Nomad, seen for sale in greater Manchester. Ad here.

The Tony Anchors' built Trimini is now offered for sale as 'Tritanic'... Ad here.

The Twini Ranger by ex-Broadspeed man John J Thomas

While the infamous Twini Scamp, built by former McLaren engineer John Hornby, is now restored (seen here on a Maximum Mini display in 2016) and the Deep Sanderson 105 Twini still for sale (all about that here), pictures of another Twini emerged last week through Magenta owner Ken Warburton. It's the Twini Ranger! 

Ken got hold of them through builder John J. Thomas, who is a bit of a legend if you ask me. Thomas was a former Broadspeed employee who later went to work on his own and came up with a number of interesting projects. Best known, perhaps, was his six-wheeler version of the Ranger Pick-up - the Ranger VI - which he marketed himself. I have been trying to get in touch with the man for some time - to no avail - but must admit I had completely forgotten when Ken came up with these shots.

They show another one of Thomas' projects, which was a Twini Ranger. The car was powered by 1275cc A-series engines front and rear thus coming with four-wheel drive. I'd never heard of it before and would be interested to learn a bit more about it. About time to get in touch with John J. Thomas after all! Meanwhile, I'll place it together with the other two Twinis that are still missing: the Butterfield Musketeer Twini and Bufi Mowog...

Proof of its existence: the Twini Ranger was built by former Broadspeed man John J. Thomas

Picture John J. Thomas via Ken Warburton

Seen here without its hardtop on snowy surface. The number 'MAY 208' is on a BMW these days

Could the car survive? The Twini Scamp all of a sudden resurfaced some 10 years ago (click)

Picture John J. Thomas via Ken Warburton

Seen here with two more of John J. Thomas' projects: a Ranger six-wheeler and a Magenta

Picture John J. Thomas via Ken Warburton

Market round up (winter 2018)

Another look at what's on the Mini derivatives market right now. Most of the cars seen in the selection below are for sale at the moment, although some may have been sold by this time. Any good winter projects for you? Or buy now for the Summer.... Thanks to everyone for letting me know about cars for sale. Do keep them coming!

Good looking Scamp Mk3 with 955 miles from new. In London. See it for sale here

A Midas from France, believed to have 145bhp under the bonnet. See it for sale here

1985 registered Vendavans Ice Star in fully functioning form. See it for sale here

Nice 1987 Andersen Cub, first registered in '89. See it for sale here

Another Cub but this kit has never been built. See it for sale here

Ranger Pick-up said to have 1300 with Cooper 'S' head. See it for sale here

Or... a 1980 Triad Warrior, said to be Cooper-based. See it for sale here

A Hrubon Phaeton, made in Paris by Jean-Claude Hrubon. See it for sale here

Or later incarnation of the Phaeton: a Schmitt. In Cannes and not cheap! See it here 

Newly made from the rediscovered Raubenheimer moulds: Mk3 Mini Marcos shell. For sale here

Another Mk3 Mini Marcos shell with distinctive rear spoiler, in Belgium. For sale here

Or... one that's on its wheels already. Comes with 1275 engine. See it for sale here

A Siva Buggy needing some work, but cheap. In West Wales. See it for sale here

Rare! An AEM Commanchero Six, believed to have been used for falconry. See it here

Foers Nomad pick up, comes with trailer in Nottingham on Irish plates. See it for sale here

Unfinished 1982 GTM Coupe rolling chassis with 1966 papers. See it for sale here

Remarkably tidy Jiffy Pick Up with 1275 engine in South Wales. See it for sale here

Lightspeed Magenta needing much attention, rescued from Yorks barn. See it for sale here