Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #111

Chasing the Peel Viking of Hadleigh

Mysterious Radfords: the real deal?

Mysterious Radfords: the real deal?

Wow! Is this a Fabar Filipino Mini?

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #83

 

Le Mans Classic 2025 - Mini Marcos and Unipower GT

Picture Richard Dredge

Le Mans Mini Marcos project: the 2nd set of wheels

Once more: just like in 1966

Mystery Peel Viking is a survivor!

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #81

Time-warp Mk1 Mini Marcos racer now for sale

Owner decides to put it on the market after 48 years

Canada three-wheeler mystery now solved

But this Peel Viking Sport GT is another mystery

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Found film footage identifies that Peel Viking

New pictures of Scottish Stimson Mini Bug racer

Unmolested Mk1 Mini Scamp for sale

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #36

Peels invade the Isle of Man

Maya GT enjoyed in Japan

Cheap Mini Marcos - what's the catch?

Now in Maximum Mini Newsletter #31

Peels are coming back to Peel on the Isle of Man

And this Peel Viking is ready for the party - after 44 years

While this is the actual Turner Ranger prototype - it lives, too

More about Sonny's Unipower GT

Another Dutch Peel Viking reappears - and disappears again

You may remember the Peel Viking GT that was built by Dutchman Ben Konst back in 1966/1967. I was very eager to find that car back and my search was finally rewarded in February 2018. What was even better about the whole saga: Ben bought it back himself and so was reunited with his old car after almost 50 years (all about that here).

But this car registered '88-49-EP' notably wasn't the only Viking Ben imported to The Netherlands. There were at least two more and I have been digging into these for quite a while also. There were some rumours that one had ended up with a man in the south-west of The Netherlands but I was unable to locate it. One person who told me he knew more was Aad van Beekum. As a matter of fact Aad told me years ago he'd seen it and even made some pictures of it. Trouble was he couldn't find these anymore. I wasn't expecting much. So imagine my surprise when he dropped me a line earlier this week with some good news. He wrote: "After a lot of searching and thinking I found the photos on an old phone and hope you can use them."

The pictures show a rolling shell, left hand drive, that's been modified with wider wheel arches and sills. Was this car ever on the road? It seems unlikely. Apart from its bonnet the shell seems to be unpainted, primer only, while there's no glass and no holes for lights and a petrol tank. Apart from a few gauges there's no interior either. It does have a larger than usual cut-out for a rear screen, just like Ben's own car, which used a Fiat 850 Coupe's rear screen. Could it be the body shell sold by Ben to a customer in the late 1960s? (click here). 

What's a real pity is that the thing has disappeared from its hiding now once more. Aad added: "Meanwhile the garage has been closed and emptied and I understand from the stories that the cars were moved to Belgium with an address unknown. Whether the owner had control over the cars I don't know. His daughter took the Mini Moke, which was there also, and she probably paid for the lease debt. I have tried to find out details but in vain."

And so the search is on. Belgian friends, keep your eyes out please!

A Peel Viking GT is a real rarity. This one has been hiding for ages

Picture Aad van Beekum

Apart from the bonnet it seems to be in its primer and remain unbuilt

Picture Aad van Beekum

Arches have been widened but I wonder if it was ever on the road

Picture Aad van Beekum

Sills, too, are a lot wider than usual. Who undertook these modifications?

Picture Aad van Beekum

Back shows there are no holes for rear lights and tank

Picture Aad van Beekum

While a larger cut-out was made for a (Fiat 850?) rear screen

Picture Aad van Beekum

Steering column has been fitted but furthermore the interior is empty

Picture Aad van Beekum

Could it be this lhd empty shell, sold by Ben Konst in the late 1960s?

Picture Ben Konst

And how about this car registered 'FZ-04-14'? A Dutch plate of 1968

Picture Ben Konst

Peel Viking's original owner gets in touch

Here is a bit of a 'longread', perhaps quite suitable for the weekend? I love it when the history of a car is unraveled and Mike Athay made my day when he contacted me from Canada with some most interesting remarks about the Peel Vikings on the Isle of Man and one car in particular (from this article). He wrote: 

"Hello Jeroen, I am in receipt of your postings about various Mini projects and find these very interesting - I was unaware that there were so many different models based on the Mini. 

The article I received this morning was of particular interest because I was the person who built the car registered RET680J. This conflicts with the third paragraph of the article which indicates that the car was originally registered MAN70P - this is not true!"

"I purchased the body directly from Peel Engineering in late 1969, early 1970 - can’t remember the exact date. I rented a small truck to drive from Rotherham where I lived, to Liverpool, to where the body was shipped from the Isle of Man. I believe this was probably the last body they built before production ceased."

"I also bought a write-off mini from an insurance company from which I salvaged many of the parts needed for the build. The body came with fibreglass doors but missing the window frames so these were salvaged from the write-off and installed on the Peel. I also modified the hood - sorry, bonnet - by adding brackets underneath at the front to eliminate the need for hinges and to improve the appearance and air-streaming. This also meant that the panel could be very easily removed for better access to the engine compartment. The complete body was then taken to a body shop to be professionally sprayed “flame” colour. Meanwhile, I was able to procure some Cooper ’S’ drive shafts and a Cooper ’S’ gearbox. Because Mini sub-frames had a habit of rusting away, I opted to use new ones; the rear I modified slightly by closing all the openings and drenching the inside with oil. I also modified the rear trailing arms by installing grease nipples to ensure the inner bushing could be adequately lubricated. I opted to install a brand new 1100cc engine. The exhaust was a Fothergill which at the time came with a 1 year warranty - it lasted just 13 months!"

"Rather than an SU carb, I installed a Reece-Fish which gave excellent economy and performance. However, because this was installed behind the engine, and right above the exhaust manifold, I did not consider the optional heater would be necessary - wrong! With the damp conditions in the UK, when the temperature dropped below around 5˚C, owing to the high vacuum at the intake a large ball of ice would form on the carb, thereby creating a rich mixture and the engine would stop. It was then necessary to wait until the heat from the exhaust had melted the ice and one could continue one's journey! I later learned that the guy who bought the vehicle when I emigrated to Canada in 1977, ultimately replaced the Reece-Fish with twin SU’s."

"Instead of the traditional positioning of the radiator at the side, I visited the local scrap yard - may times actually - and was able to get a radiator from a Triumph Spitfire which I installed in front of the engine (thinking of ‘ram’ effect cooling ) together with an electric fan. I later discovered that the ram effect was inadequate and consequently modified the body to incorporate the rectangular air scoop."

"One of the other ’toys’ I installed was a fly-off handbrake. This was quite amusing when I took the vehicle on the skid-pan at the Manchester bus garage. I forgot to warn the instructor about the handbrake and he was not familiar with such a device. As we were going into a bend and he applied the handbrake to force a skid - with his thumb holding down the button - the brake locked on and he panicked! It was certainly a test of my skills to continue to control the vehicle whilst telling him to let go the brake so that I could release the button!"

"Prior to the introduction of the Mini, there were several 'Specials' based on earlier production vehicles which used a traditional U-channel chassis. Indeed, a friend of mine purchased such a vehicle. That particular vehicle - and I suspect such was the case with many other similar projects, the inside was never completed! The body was attached to the chassis, a couple of seats and a steering wheel installed and that was it, the vehicle was ready for the road. I was determined that this was not to be the case with my car. I spent numerous hours furnishing the inside with materials I purchased from a local upholsterer, whose main business was repairing bus seats which had been slashed by the hooligans who made use of that form of transport. Indeed, this gentleman was of great help to me as he not only allowed me to use his equipment but also showed me the tricks to achieve professional results in making the rear seat; for the front, I installed Corbeau GT4 seats."

"During the 9 months it took me to build this car, I was subscribed to Car & Car Conversions magazine which at the time was holding local heats for a national concours d’elegance, the final of which was to be held in Blackpool, in September, 1970. As my vehicle was not ready for any of the qualifying heats, I wrote to the magazine explaining the situation and was then allowed to compete at the final event. I was very pride to be awarded third place in my category, behind two Lotus Europa’s, though I thought this a little unfair as assembly of a Europa kit could be done in a weekend, compared with the time it had taken for the building of my car."

"Sadly, other than two cuttings from local newspapers which did an article on the project, I have no pictures of the construction of the vehicle as this occurred long before the advent of digital photography. Any pictures I did have were unfortunately lost during a house move 21 years ago. In retrospect, I am very sorry that I did not keep the vehicle but I guess at the time, the cost to have shipped it to Canada was way beyond my available spare change. However, it’s good to know it is still around. Mike Athay"

Isn't that great? I was of course very curious to the newspaper clippings Mike mentioned, and with the help from Catherine Semerjian of Nerses Photo Studio in Ontario, Canada, some superb scans were finally made and flashed over. They tell us that Mike ordered the shell in november 1969 but "Beacuse of some trouble with the steel tubing used on the steel frames delivery was delayed and it was in March 1970 that Michael first saw the shell." Furtheremore it mentions: "A vast array of switches on the dashboard reveals that there is a burglar alarm system, a hazard warning light system, manual as well as automatic reversing lights, a special parking light system, which does not allow you to start the car until it is switched off, triple or single note air horns, headlamp flasher and a few spare ones that have yet to be connected to interior lights etc. Mike estimates all this has cost him just over 900 - but for this he has a luxurious new car that is unusual, will travel at 80 mph all day without turning a hair, and regularly turns in just over 41 mpg. So he has comfortable, fast but economical motoring - what more does anyone want?"

I have contacted the car's current owner Stephen Callow, too. There is more to follow as Stephen has been in touch since with both me as with Mike, which leads to more interesting remarks. Stay tuned.

That's Mike Athay with the Peel Viking 'RET 680J' just finished in the local newspaper

Picture courtesy Mike Athay / Worksop Trader

And another just earlier clipping, as kindly scanned on behalf of Mike 

Picture courtesy Mike Athay / Worksop Trader

This picture of the car was found by Stephen Callow only recently

Picture source unknown

Autocrossing 1967

Thanks for several messages with links to two lovely videos from the 1967 Players No.6 Autocross Championship, showing some great action filmed that year. There's a number of Mini based cars to be seen in action and one of them is the infamous 'Golden Egg' as it was raced by Paul Kerridge. I'd like to do a more comprehensive article about that car soon.

Other brief but worthy appearances were filmed in Stafford and come from a Peel Viking with (fake?) number plate 'RED 1' (it's not this car is it?) and a typical autocross Special made by getting rid of as much of the Mini's bodywork as possible. Like Kerridge, the guy who races that thing is really pushing it! Last but not least there's what looks to be a home made but never the less very nice MiniSprint registered 'TON 1', too. Enjoy!

7616 RW became better known as The Golden Egg, raced by Paul Kerridge

Picture Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

This Ogle SX1000 was very successful in the hands of Kerridge of Shellford

Picture Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

It was built up using a crashed Mini Cooper with 1275 tuned by Don Moore

Picture Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

But what have we got here? Yes, that's a Peel Viking. Not so sure I've seen this one before

Picture Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

Could 'RED 1' be its real registration? Could it be this car in an earlier stage?

Picture Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

One of quite a few autocross Specials build from a Mini with very little bodywork left

Picture Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

It looks like a number of similar cars: the Clegg Special, Nova Special or LEDA1 

Picture Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

And another super cool registration: TON 1 is on what looks to be a home made MiniSprint

Picture Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

Video Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

Video Roscoe Films / Hamish Racing / Youtube

A new Peter Filby book: Cars through the mists of time

Motoring journalists usually can't be bothered with the obscure corners of the automotive world. But from somewhere in the 1970s to deep into the new millennium there was the great exception known as Peter Filby. His books and articles were full of detailed information about the strangest of vehicles but they were well written and full of wit also. Looking back we have to be thankful to the man who documented so many of these contraptions for posterity. I do prefer his early stuff before Cobra and Seven clones took over the alternative cars scene as he wrote about many of the Mini based cars and owned quite a few of them, too.

So when I heard that he'd just finished a book titled 'Cars through the mists of time' about the approximately 100 cars he owned himself in the last 55 years, I knew I wanted a copy. In Filby fashion the 89-pager is self-published and hard to find. From the foreword: "It's admittedly an exercise in self-indulgent memories. I was just doing it for myself, my family and perhaps a few close friends. And even the family weren't particularly interested!" You'd better be quick to order one if you want one, too (I found my copy through Steve Hole's TKC webshop).

It's like going back in time when reading about how he bought and sold all these obscurities, which he often hated. About the Maya GT that became known as 'The Maya Maynot': "Whatever changes were made, it remained a horribly basic, undesirable car, but for some reason I kept it for several years." About the brown Peel Viking Minisport that was named 'The Flying Turd': "In terms of styling, accommodation and Mini based performance, it was a truly awful contraption". You'd be surprised to read that the great kit car writer, in all honesty, detested working on his own cars and "hates to get my hands dirty". He must have spent fortunes on them. "Only the great accountant in the sky knows how much money they've all cost me!" 

Ever wondered what cars Peter Filby owned himself and what he really thought about them? 

His latest book is just about that

Picture Jeroen Booij

'RBL 25F' was the first of two Unipower GTs owned by Filby and the start of a life long affair with specialist sports cars. What happened to the car?

Picture Jeroen Booij

Repainted twice and the subject of many an Alternative Cars magazine article, 

Filby's Maya GT became known as the Maya Maynot (and it survives, too)

Picture Jeroen Booij

The second Unipower - LTM 80G - was a Mk2. "I loved it so I kept it more than ten years." 

It's still in the UK, under restoration today (click here)

Picture Jeroen Booij

"Horribly basic". The Peel Viking Minisport was painted brown and nicknamed 'The Flying Turd'

It's another survivor although now in a slightly different hue

Picture Jeroen Booij

Ogle SX1000 on Ebay is not for sale

A while ago, a few months before I found what is my own Ogle SX1000 now (this one) I received a number of messages from readers who'd spotted one such car on Ebay. No, it wasn't offered for sale there but it could be seen in an ad for another car. I was interested to learn a little more about it since '996 GXH' was one that had been off the radar for many years. I contacted the seller and got a quick reply: "No not for sale, please stick to what is advertised."

I kindly apologized for my curiosity but did get another reply a few days later from the seller. He now wrote: "No problem, apologies if I sounded a bit brash. I do know about your book, sounds very interesting. The Ogle is not mine, it is part of a collection owned by a very eccentric elderly gentleman. He owns approximately 60 British fibreglass specialist sports cars from the 1960/70’s. He is very private and I am sworn to secrecy on who he is and his car collection. Kind Regards Mark."

That was a nice surprise. And there was more. Mark came back with the next: "I owned my self back in 1977 a 1967 Cox GTM, the registration number number was FRO 7G. I would love to trace where it is now. It had a 1360 cc Oselli engine with a very unusual Reece Fish carburetor. It was a quick little thing. I nearly bought around the same time a Peel Viking Minisport, it was dark blue and for sale in Suffolk, I could not quite afford what the then owner wanted for it. Kind Regards Mark." I've looked in the files but unfortunately cannot find anything on that Cox GTM as I don't have any pictures of a dark blue Peel Viking either. Anyone out here who knows more about these cars?

This Ogle SX1000 is owned by a very eccentric elderly gentleman and is not for sale

Picture Ebay.co.uk

Meanwhile, a Cox GTM registered FRO 7G is missing. This is a picture of another car with faked plate

Edited picture Jeroen Booij archive

Peel Vikings on the Isle of Man

As we saw last week a Peel Viking was autocrossed on the Isle of Man (click here), but it wasn't the only Viking on the island. Stephen Callow owns one, too. He wrote:

"Hi, here’s a picture of it from a few years ago parked with another Mini restoration project I have. It is pictured on your site when it was in the UK registered 'RET 680J' – a friend brought it back to the Isle of Man in the early 2000’s for a classic car hire business he started which didn’t success so I bought the Viking but haven’t got around to starting on it. The pics someone took of mine parked at the side of the house are quite old now and sadly it hasn’t improved but at least glassfibre doesn’t rust – the blue Mk1 Cooper is crumbling!"

"Mine was registered MAN70P when originally on island, then went to UK and became RET680J. It’s back on a 2003 IOM number plate now and has 1275 engine, discs, and needs a full restoration. Apart from Neil Hanson’s red one I have only seen one other in the flesh and that was autocrossed by Mike Hewison and had the front end cut off after a fire. I think it was scrapped, but knowing the IOM there’s one or two lurking in sheds."

I have added more pictures of Vikings on the Isle of Man. It would be lovely to hear from when you can fill in more about these cars.

This is one of the first Vikings built and I believe it must have been the 1966 show car

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

'MAN 66P', seen here with Peel castle on the island in the background 

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Same car, seen here with its designer and builder, the late Cyril Cannell. Does it survive?

Picture Jeroen Booij archive

That's Stephen Callow's car. Originally this one was registered MAN 70P on the island

Picture courtesy Stephen Callow

"The pics are quite old now and sadly it hasn’t improved but at least glassfibre doesn’t rust – the blue Mk1 Cooper is crumbling!" 

Picture courtesy Stephen Callow

And this is the same car after it had gone to the UK and was re-registered 'RET 680J' there

Picture courtesy Stephen Callow

"A friend brought it back to the Isle of Man in the early 2000’s for a classic car hire business"

Picture Mini Marcos Owners Club

Neil Hanson's car - 321 MAN - on the Central Promenade in Douglas, Isle of Man

Picture Jeroen Booij

Neil's car was fully restored not too long before I saw it and photographed it for Maximum Mini

Picture Jeroen Booij

The same car made it to a stamp from the Isle of Man, dedicated to Peel Cars, also

Picture Jeroen Booij

This is a mystery car to me. The registration is from the Isle of Man: MAN 321A

Picture Jeroen Booij archive