Unless you’ve spent the year on a rival planet, you will be more than aware that 2019 has been the 60th anniversary of Issigonis’s immortal baby, that’s led to a bout of unparalleled Mini mania. Doubtless just about everything that could be said about the world’s favourite pocket rocket has been uttered by now. But, not to be denied our three pennyworth, we’ve compiled a collection of 60 facts you may or may not know about the model.
Such matters as having no fuel and only sufficient finance to reach Cairo were paltry problems to be resolved en route!
| Publication Information |
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| Cover Price: Free |
| Page Count: 20 pages |
| Subject: Cars, Motorsport, People |
| Format: Digital (pdf) |
| Frequency: Quarterly |
| Publisher: British Motor Heritage |
| Boat Race on Wheels |
Download British Motor Heritage’s Winter 2019 Motoring Classics Magazine below!
Motoring Classics Winter 2019
Unless you’ve spent the year on a rival planet, you will be more than aware that 2019 has been the 60th anniversary of Issigonis’s immortal baby, that’s led to a bout of unparalleled Mini mania. Doubtless just about everything that could be said about the world’s favourite pocket rocket has been uttered by now. But, not to be denied our three pennyworth, we’ve compiled a collection of 60 facts you may or may not know about the model, by which all small cars have subsequently been judged; including today’s BMW Minis that are…. well…. anything but mini!
Self-propelled vehicles have been the basis of adventure since the dawn of the motorcar, and there remain few greater tests of man and machine than traversing the African continent. By the ‘50s, privateers and manufacturers alike were increasingly pitting their wits against its hostile combination of deserts and jungles, and numerous related records had been established; including the time taken to travel from London to Cape Town and back again. It was this and others that an intrepid team of six Oxbridge undergraduates set out to beat in the summer of 1954. You can read about their heart-stopping expedition on pages 10-13, where the text is illustrated by a mesmerising collection of previously unpublished images.
This issue’s Classic Character is A.F.P Fane, who not only excelled at the wheel of various race and rally cars, but was sufficiently skilled at the controls of a WWII Spitfire to singlehandedly aid the destruction of one of Germany’s most formidable weapons.
Our Missing Moniker on this occasion is a more peaceful German product – the wonderfully named Goggomobil, the final versions of which were manufactured by BMW.
Passive safety technology was in its infancy when the E-Type was born, examples of which either had no seat belts or fixed-point ones. I had grown to hate the static set-up in my Series II coupe, so researched the fitment of an inertia reel system. In doing so I discovered Quickfit Seat Belt Service – a company I feel many fellow enthusiasts could benefit from learning about (see pages 14-16). Add in the latest news from BMH and a round-up of the MD’s racing season, and that’s almost it from Motoring Classics for another year, though, if you’re struggling for Christmas presents for motoring friends and family, be sure to check out our pages 18-19 – they might just solve your problem.
Have a good one!
Gordon Bruce, Editor
For all the latest news, offers and great tips … Motoring Classics
Classic Character: Alfred Fane Peers Agabeg – aka A.F.P. Fane (1911-1942)
A.F.P. Fane earned considerable respect for his prowess at the wheel of various competition cars, but is perhaps better remembered for locating and photographing Tirpitz, Germany’s infamous WWII battleship, that was subsequently destroyed by the RAF.
60 Mighty Mini Facts: How Many Do You Know?
In celebration of its 60th anniversary, we’ve assembled 60 items of info about the model once voted ‘The Greatest Car Of All Time’.
Missing Moniker: Goggomobil
Once heard, the splendid name of Goggomobil is never forgotten, yet these cute little microcars have remained relatively unknown outside of their native Germany – as has the story of their place in BMW’s history.
News From BMH
Managing Director John Yea reveals all.
Boat Race On Wheels: A brief account of the 1954 Oxbridge Trans-Africa Expedition
Adventurous drivers have been racing around and across the continent of Africa for over a century, but often without success – a 1914 attempt to drive from Cape Town to Cairo ended abruptly when the driver was consumed by a leopard. The first successful trip from London to Cape Town is considered to be the 1933 one of Alan Gilg and Walter Kay, who completed the journey in five months aboard the former’s Morris Eight convertible.
All Belts & No Braces: We Visit Quickfit Safety Belt Service Of Stanmore
We classic car owners have a list of views as long as the Kings Road on how far or not our cars should be modified. The ultimate purists say not at all, some less conservative keepers sanction amendments in the interest of greater safety, while others welcome upgrades in performance. Then, of course, there are the customisers, for whom visibly personalising their chariots is the over-riding priority.
Motoring Classics in Motorsport
British Motor Heritage MD John Yea reports from the cockpit.
Perfect Presents For Petrolheads: Motoring Classics has the answers
Trying to find that special present for the motoring guy or gal who appears to have everything can be quite a teaser, one the ever-expanding line-up of Motoring Classics items might just solve for you. There’s something for everybody – and every pocket too, with prices ranging from £9.50 to £14,606.00.
Note: Prices correct at time of publication (Winter 2019)
British Motor Heritage
British Motor Heritage Limited was established in 1975 to support owners and the marketplace by putting genuine components for classic British cars back into manufacture, using original tools wherever possible. Since 2001, when the company was acquired from BMW, it has been successfully run as an independently owned company.
British Motor Heritage is the largest organisation of its type in the world. With access to unparalleled knowledge, authentic production information and original drawings and patterns, the company manufactures previously unobtainable body parts for British classic cars.
It occupies a unique position since it assembles 32 derivatives of body shells and has built total production volume of over 7,000 for the MGB, MGR V8, MG Midget, Austin-Healey Sprite, Triumph TR6, Original Mini and Mini Clubman using original press tools and assembly jigs.
Website: https://www.bmh-ltd.com/
Tex Automotive
Tex Motor Accessories have been manufactured in England for over fifty years, and many of our products are still produced in our factory in Witney on the original tooling.
Since their first appearance on British cars in 1947, Tex products evolved over the years to keep in step with changing car designs. The current range includes wipers and mirrors that were original equipment on a huge range of Austin, Ford, Morris, MG, Triumph, Vauxhall, etc. from 1974 to 1983.
Tex are also major distributors of the Renovo car care product range (specialising in hood refurbishment) and Samco Silicone hose Kits.
Website: https://texautomotive.com/
Motoring Classics is the printed and online publication of British Motor Heritage and its retail trading arm.
Motoring Classics reproduction in whole or any part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
The publisher makes every effort to ensure the magazine’s contents are correct but can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.
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