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The Ogle that made it to a book - but where is it now?

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When Scott Barrett contacts me it is always for something good, and this time his message was no exception. He asked me if I knew more about an Ogle SX1000 formerly owned by Sandy Skinner. This is what he wrote: "Hi Jeroen, I wonder if you recognise this car - it’s an SX1000 that was owned by my late friend Sandy Skinner. This was when he was selling it in 1973. I think the registration was 7413 MX. Somewhere we have some of the original photographs taken for this advert but I seem to remember the registration was not visible in any of them. Have you heard of this car before? Any idea what happened to it after Sandy sold it? Best, Scott"

I had never heard of that particular car and couldn't find any more pictures of it either. A day later Scott sent me another message, attaching a copy of the original photograph used for the ad also: "I have now scanned the other stuff and there is this photograph, which is much clearer too. Hopefully somebody knows what happened to the car."

And it didn't stop there. Another day, another message. Scott: "Further to what I previously sent - I’m sure you have read Sandy’s interesting piece in The Motorist's Bedside Book, which was inspired by his ownership of the Ogle Mini?" Again I had to admit I hadn't. And so the book arrived in the post a week later. Now that's what I call cooperation! The chapter written in the book by Skinner is interesting indeed. It is called 'A little doesn't go a long way' in which he tries to answer the question 'Why can't you sell a top-quality small car?'. It is full of praise on the little Ogle, comparing the qualities of David Ogle to those of Ettore Bugatti: "The man who stood out from the mob of exponents of bad taste and erratic manufacture was David Ogle. Like Bugatti, he applied design sense and determination to a wide range of interests; unlike Bugatti, he succeeded in building a team which survives him to carry on his work."

So thank you very much Scott for all this. Now let's see if anyone will be able to shed some light on '7413 MX' - Sandy Skinner's old Ogle SX1000.

The 1973 advertisement of the Ogle SX1000 as owned by Sandy Skinner
Picture Scott Barrett

And a copy of the original photograph used for the ad. What happened to '7413 MX'?
Bonnet scoop seems to be unique on this car and should make it recognizable
Picture Scott Barrett

In The Motorist's Bedside Book Sandy Skinner praises the Ogle SX1000 that he had
Picture Jeroen Booij

Skinner writes about the difficulties that car makers underwent to produce small cars of high quality
Picture Jeroen Booij


Dagobert's Cox - who knows more?

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When I wrote about a Swedish Cox, owned and raced by a man named Sagobert Swenson (or Swensson?) over six years ago, (click here) I received two interesting answers. Both implied that the car is alive and kicking and still in Sweden. One of them translated: "Dagobert's Cox is in southern Närke. It's good, more info will come later. Magnus.L". But I never heard from Magnus again, and also not from the other person reacting. I did come across a few new pictures of the car in question last week, though, showing the car at the Kinnekulle Ring in 1969. So here we go again: does the car survive?

It's yellow, and seems to be an early car. Is Dagobert Swenson's Cox GTM still alive?
Picture Svante Fredén / Sportvagn.com

Said to survive in the Närke district, the car is seen here in 1969 at the Kinnekulle Ring
Picture Svante Fredén / Sportvagn.com

Weber carburetor may say something about the state of tuning? We know it challenged bigger cars!
Picture Svante Fredén / Sportvagn.com


UPDATE 10:30: Lukas Berglund sends in a 2004 ad of when the car was offered for sale in a Swedish motoring magazine. The words read: "Cox GTM '67. Historic track racing car with central engine. Built with Mini parts. 1293cc engine. Adjustable front and rear wheel angles. Has worked very well." Thank you Lukas!

Still looking pretty much the same: the GTM as it was offered for sale in 2004
Picture via Lukas Berglund

Mobi-One found in a barn

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Stop Press!
Mobi-One has turned up in a barn in Heathfield, UK and is for sale. The ad reads:
'The world's most manoeuvrable competition car MOBI ONE. Condition is acceptable. As used by Morris Bishop to win the British Trial and Rally Driver's Association championship 2 years running. This car is capable of a 40mph opposed steering turn within a 10 ft diameter turning cycle. Mini Cooper engine.'

It seems to wear a tax disc of 1984, so hasn't probably seen the streets since 35 years. I'm sure Morris will be delighted to see it survives. See the ad here, where eagle eyed readers will spot another gem in the background. More to follow. More on Mobi-One, including film footage and an interview with Morris Bishop here.

MoBi-One found: the Bishops speak

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MoBi-One has been found (click here) and its creator, Morris Bishop, contacts me from Spain:
"Hi Jeroen. Wow, that is a surprise. I am just coming up to my 89th birthday so it is not now of any interest in acquiring MoBi-One, but I will spread the word of its existence. Warm regards, Morris"

His son Graham messaged me also: "Thanks for spotting MoBi One still lives. Now we have to work out what to do with it if we (his kids) can club together and buy it. It needs a loving restorer. Any ideas? Graham Bishop."

Morris continues on the state of it: "Just to update you with what I believe the four-wheel steering attribute was the last time I was involved with MoBi, which was when the previous owner had it - he had replaced one of the twin steering racks on the compound front system, but he had not realised that it was a left hand drive rack and he had used a right hand drive. So when I reassembled this onto MoBi Its steering became Crab not complementary which made the car useless! This was just 5 days before I was due to compete in the BT&RDA Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1988. I went up there anyway, only to find that there was three 4 wheel steering cars competing and one of these drivers ask me to drive his car. however being unfamiliar with the car I came in second."

So... Morris is not interested in restoring the car but his children are. Perhaps anyone out here who think he could help Graham with that?

Morris Bishop in his MoBi-One in 1968. His children would love to restore it now
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

Crayfords-Radfords come in pairs

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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

Lolita Mk1 still out and about

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I understand that the great Australian Special, the Lolita Mk1 (see Maximum Mini 1), is now owned by Nigel Tait, who posted some pictures of it recently. Note the angle of the Mini-engine! Nigel added: "Somewhere down there is a 1310 cc Mini Cooper engine in my Lolita Mk1. The car was built by Henry Nehrybecki who later built my Matich SR4 and it was owned and raced very successfully for many years by a very great guy, Ian Pope."

The car is seen here at last year's Anzac All Historic Race Meeting at Mallala
Picture John Lemm

Mini engine in Australian Lolita Mk1 is a 1310 mounted at the back and canted at a firm degree
Picture Nigel Tait

A plate over the engine's backside protects block and displays double Weber
Picture Nigel tait

Stately houses invaded by Mini derivatives

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Well well, another two events missed by me! Last weekend the Chateau Impney hill climb took place in Worcestershire at the stately house with the same name, while the weekend before that saw the Marcos 60th anniversary party at Wroxall Abbey in Warwickshire. These were two events I would have loved to visit and I remember planning to do so at least with the Marcos' 60th when it was announced, thinking my own Marcos would certainly be ready by that time some years ago. No way! Fortunately there were plenty of people who took pictures, thanks for that!

That well known Unipower GT of Tim Carpenter was present at Chateau Impney
Picture The Sporting Minis

As was the Broadspeed GT demonstrator - now in the hands of a lucky new owner
Picture The Sporting Minis

And the same goes for the Broadspeed GTS, which rubbed shoulders with its sister model 
Picture The Sporting Minis

Gerry Hulford's Unipower GT racer was there and could be seen in action
Picture The Sporting Minis

As was Nick Wilkins' famous Cars and Car Conversions Cox GTM
Picture Nick Wilkins

Meanwhile, Mini Marcoses met at Wroxall Abbey to celebrate 60 years of Marcos 
Picture Guy Humpries

Jackie Oliver's GTM Rossa - still there

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This message appeared here over eight years ago, when an anonymous reader replied that the GTM Rossa in question was built for Jackie Oliver to drive in the Mini and Mini derivatives race at the 2009 Silverstone Classic.

To further quote him: "Jackie Oliver ran it in practice but it overheated due to an inadequate intercooler on the supercharger. It was retired before the race. The engine was built to deliver 200bhp but only achieved 158bhp on the dyno. It had a Jack Knight six-speed box. After SC09, the engine and gearbox were removed and replaced with a 1300cc Hayabusa engine (187bhp) and 6 speed sequential box for track days. The final drive is through a Qaife unit. The ensemble delivered astonishing performance and, at Goodwood, the 11000rpm rev limit blew away the sound recording equipment so we had to limit it to 9000rpm. Unfortunately, the driveshafts proved inadequate during fast runs at the SC11 media day. Replacements are being specially built with the objective of enabling the engine to be enhanced by changing the barrels to 1500cc and adding a supercharger which should deliver 400bhp. The car was beautifully restored and has a full roll cage and all the usual race refinements but with the added benefit of a passenger seat and full harness. The car is still road legal and will be used on the road when the work is completed over the winter of 2012/13. At the same time, an electric reverse will be installed."

Although it seems to be not anymore powered by a Mini unit, it's still an interesting car. I found a few pictures of it, supposedly taken recently and I'd still love to see more of it.

Built for Jackie Oliver in 2009, this GTM Rossa Mk2 now uses motorcycle power
Picture powerbaseservices.co.uk

It was had a a Jack Knight six-speed box mated to an engine "built to deliver 200bhp but only achieved 158bhp on the dyno". It supposedly is much more powerful now
Picture powerbaseservices.co.uk


Healey WAEC - More info wanted

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Some of you will know that Donald Healey - of Donald Healey Motor Company fame and the man behind the Nash-Healeys, Jensen-Healeys and Austin-Healeys - tried his luck with a Mini based car also. His roadster was in fact based on one of three hand built pre-production Mini prototypes and is now the oldest Mini alive.

However, it wasn't on its own. There was a later prototype - probably dating to 1965 - built to become a possible Sprite successor, which supposedly used a 1275cc Mini Cooper 'S' drivetrain, placed behind the driver and passenger. The car came with a Targe roof into which the hood cleverly could be folded away. It used a combination of Sprite (front) and Mini (rear) suspension with hydrolastic (note different wheels). Handling was said to be 'astounding', though less stable than that of the Sprite. The prototype was named WAEC for 'Wheel At Each Corner' and I have only been able to source one picture of it. Supposedly it never made production because BMC thought 'Sports car owners are too conservative'...

I have no idea if the prototype could survive. Over the years I have asked several Healey enthusiasts and connoisseurs for more information about the car, but no one appears to be able to tell me more than just this. Perhaps a message out here may help..?

Healey WAEC used Mini Cooper 'S' power and hydrolastic suspension
Picture 'More Healeys'

More action shots of Spanish Unipower GT

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A series of photographs of that Barcelona-registered Unipower GT raced in Spain in the 1970s was uploaded on the world wide web recently by Miquel Brunells junior, who's father - Miquel Brunell senior - raced it throughout the 1973 season. More, including moving images can be seen here. I do not know the exact locations where these photographs were taken, but Brunells entered it in at least four events at Montserrat, Castillo Montjuich, Sant Cugat-Tibidabo and Montseny that year.

Picture Miquel Brunells jr. / brunellscompeticio.com

Picture Miquel Brunells jr. / brunellscompeticio.com

Picture Miquel Brunells jr. / brunellscompeticio.com

Picture Miquel Brunells jr. / brunellscompeticio.com

Picture Miquel Brunells jr. / brunellscompeticio.com

Picture Miquel Brunells jr. / brunellscompeticio.com

Picture Miquel Brunells jr. / brunellscompeticio.com

Picture Miquel Brunells jr. / brunellscompeticio.com

Pellandinis make it to the market

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Always dreamt of owning an ultra-rare Pellandini? Now is your chance. Pellandini-enthusiast Max Kinsmore (see Maximum Mini 1) has  devided to part with his two (of 8 made!) cars. This is from the ad:

"We have two of the rarest kit cars in Australia. The red one of these was featured in the Maximum Mini hardcover book and the yellow one was restored later on after the Maximum Mini writeup. These cars are fitted with 1275 micra twin over head cammed EFI 5 speed engines. Would like to sell as a pidgeon pair, a his and hers as they were in our family. The drivers seating arrangement is unadjustable as the seat is moulded into the body and the foot pedals made specifically for the driver. Fully fibreglassed." See the ad here.

In the meantime, I also understand that another Pellandini changed hands in December last year. This was in fact the prototype car, also named 'Old No.1'. The ad for that car stated: "It's on a space frame unlike the others which were fibreglass monocoques with front and rear sub-frames."

Max Kinsmore's two Pellandinis in his garage - they are both for sale now
Picture Max Kinsmore / Gumtree

Sold as a duo, both come with 1275cc engines, with twin over head cams and 5-speed boxes
Picture Max Kinsmore / Gumtree

Meanwhile Pellandini 'Old No. 1' was also sold in Australia in December last year
Picture Gumtree

We're all going on a summer holiday

Euregio Meeting 2019 in pictures

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Only just back from my holidays in Sweden, I went to the very south of the Netherlands for the Euregio Meeting 2019 last weekend. And there were some good surprises there, first of them being Tobias Kasimirowicz' Mk2 Mini Jem. Tobias of Germany owned another Mk2 Jem in the 1990s, but was involved in a heavy crash in 1997 in Ireland when the car, in his own words 'totally carambolized'. He came out unhurt and has now just finished  the 12-year long restoration of a second Jem, which is absolutely stunning in its golden paint job.

Another great surprise from Germany came in the shape of Klaus Tweddell. Klaus is well-known in racing circles, with his great love for anything produced in small numbers in general and for Marcos cars in particular. He races a 1965 Marcos Fastback and took that car with him, too. But he also took some of his slides for a very entertaining talk held before dinner. It was great to finally meet up and hear him comment his own great photographs, some of which he took as a 12-year old boy. Another talk was held by Joost van Dien, who went into detail about the differences between Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 Mini Marcoses as there was one by myself about the Minis with Italian 'carrozzeria' bodies. Pictures below will give you an impression about the meeting.

A lovely line-up, starting with Tobias Kasimirowicz' freshly restored Mini Jem. Frank Morskate's Mk3 Le Mans replica is third in line
Picture Jeroen Booij

The Mk2 Mini Jem with owner Tobias (right) and his dad Helmut of Dusseldorf
Picture Jeroen Booij

Tobias owned another Mk2 Jem before, but crashed that heavily in Ireland in 1997
Picture Jeroen Booij

The restoration of this car took twelve years and was finished just before the meeting. There's a 1275 Cooper 'S' unit under the bonnet
Picture Jeroen Booij

And the car's interior is just as good as it is from the outside. Star of the show!
Picture Jeroen Booij

Lillo Trovato's Mk4 Mini Marcos with its signature carbon fibre bonnet
Picture Jeroen Booij

Joel Nootermans' Midas. He thinks it may well be the only one on the roads in Belgium
Picture Jeroen Booij

Jouke and Daphne Boersen with little Tess and their Mini Marcos. 
You may have seen this picture before..?
Picture Jeroen Booij

Organizer Rolf Roozenboom's Domino Pimlico was driven over b-roads to the location.
Thanks for another great meeting Rolf!
Picture Jeroen Booij

Anne Nobels and Joost van Dien were there, too, and took my Marcos' doors with them as Joost will now be further preparing them for paint. Stay tuned.
Picture Jeroen Booij

Marcos historian Klaus Tweddell had come over from Germany to share some of his tales
Picture Jeroen Booij

Klaus showing his slides. He photographed races at the Nurburgring and other European circuits since 1958, when he went there for the first time with his dad
Picture Jeroen Booij

Klaus Tweddell's racing Marcos Fastback: an early plywood car with appropriate registration
Picture Jeroen Booij

Low slung and fast - This historical Marcos is still being raced and hill climbed regularly
Picture Jeroen Booij

More big Marcoses: Robin Hughes 1969 1800 and Wim van Steijn's Mantara Spyder
Picture Jeroen Booij

And a rare Minus Maxi. This one is owned by Keith Rose for a couple of years now
Picture Jeroen Booij

Keith with the car. He's had a variety of Mini based vehicles in the last 30-odd years
Picture Jeroen Booij

The 'Järnsängen' story (1)

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In March this year I was contacted by Nils Holm of Sweden, who wrote to me: "Hi! My name is Nils Holm, Living in Stockholm, Sweden. Today I got in contact with the blog Maximum Mini and read about the 'Holmbarth 1100' also called 'Automec Special'. I got very excited because this car was build by my brother Per-Henrik Holm (not Per-Erik as in the text - amended now-JB) together with Kjell Andersson in the 1960's. My brother - called Pelle - has now restored it into what I would call 'mint' condition.

He and his son Mikael (Micke) are working on the 'Holmbarth' making it even better and trying to get it accepted again as a veteran racing car. I tried to find out how to add a post on the blog... but could not. Therefore I write this mail to you, hoping you can tell how my brother Pelle can get in contact with someone interested in the 'Holmbarth' status today. I talked to Pelle and he is very interested giving more information about the 'Holmbarth' and what has been done last years. I have asked him put together some info we will send to you as well as some pictures.

Fast forward a couple of months and Nils' message arrived just before I went on my holidays (to Sweden). He added: "I apologize for the long story about the 'Holmbarth' (a name Pelle does not prefer), and I hope it can interest you what has been done. Since the car now has become a 'family interest', we will continue to add more facts and data about coming events. My best regards, Nils"

So that's the introduction to what Nils now calls - The 'Järnsängen' story.
Here we go:

The racing car build by Pelle Holm (Per-Henrik Holm) and Kjell Andersson, later on called the 'Holmbarth 1100' and / or 'Automec Special', was build during the 1960's. Pelle started in 1962 and did most of the work on his spare time at BMC in Södertälje Sweden. Due to some personal circumstances the work was delayed and the car got into a mode as the 'sleeping beauty' for a couple of years mid 1960's.

Pelle and Kjell ended their employment as mechanics at BMC racing competition department in Södertälje and started the company 'Automec' in Bredäng, Stockholm in 1967, and continued the work from there. The working name Pelle and Kjell used during the process was 'Järnsängen' (the iron bed). 'Holmbarth 1100' was a name given much later and not made up by Pelle and Kjell.

First test when it had to confess its power and performance was held at Uppsala airport somewhere around 1966 / '67, and it went well. Most of the components were from the BMC Mini, in Sweden called 'Hundkoja' (the Doghouse)… and at first it was equipped with a 1275 cc Cooper 'S' group 4 engine, later on replaced with an 1100 from an MG.

Pretty soon it got a bit crowded at the Automec garage. They also had a Cooper Formula 3 standing in a corner, earlier bought from Rolf Skoghag, who in his turn had bought a F3 Tecno from Ronny Peterson, later on our great Swedish F1 driver. Pelle and Kjell decided to sell the F3 Cooper, but when a buyer came up and showed more interest for the 'Iron bed' they sold it to him 1968.

Pelle and Kjell split up in 1971. Pelle left Automec and started his own business now with excavators and construction machinery instead of racing cars, while Kjell continued with Automec for a couple of years. The Cooper Formula 3 stayed with Pelle for a few years but was later on sold due to lack of time for it. Where it is today is hard to say.

Up next: part 2 about the rediscovery of the car. Thank you very much Nils!

The Holmbarth 1100 / Automec Special before it was called that. 
At this stage it was only known as the 'Järnsängen' or 'The Iron Bed'
Picture Nils Holm

The boy in these pictures is 'Micke', now the owner together with his father 'Pelle'
Picture Nils Holm

Pelle and his mate Kjell had been mechanics at BMC racing competition department in 
Södertälje but started on their own in 1967
Picture Nils Holm

It used a 1275 Cooper 'S' group 4 engine originally, which was later replaced by an MG 1100 unit
Picture Nils Holm

The car seen at an unknown racing venue in Sweden somewhere in the 1960s
Picture Jeroen Booij archive / Claes Boreus


This ad shows the car for sale in 1970 when it was known as the Holmbarth 1100
Picture Jeroen Booij archive


Half a decade of Scamping

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You won't have missed that the Mini is celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer. But how about the Scamp? That's been around for 50 years also. Scamp-boss Andrew McLean was at the celebration and wrote: "Very proud, pleased and privileged to have been part of the 50th anniversary of Scamps at the Owners Club annual Picnic gathering on this fine bank holiday weekend. Amazed to see so many Scamps of all shapes and sizes, 29 Scamps in attendance. Thanks to the club organizers and to everyone who put in huge efforts to make it such a smashing weekend." Great stuff indeed!
Now, on another note: somebody sent me two photographs of the 1969 prototype in action with Robert Mandry behind the wheel a while ago, but I seem not to be able to find them back at the moment and can't remember who sent them over. Do you remember?

A field full of Scamps at Coney Green Farm at Stourport to celebrate the 50th
Picture Andrew McLean

Scamp owners have always been up for a little mud. It was no different this time
Picture Andrew McLean

This is the eldest Scamp advertisement I could find. 50 Years old now!
Picture Jeroen Booij archive 

And this is how you got your kit back in the day. 50 Years later the Scamp is still attractive
Picture Jeroen Booij archive


The 'Järnsängen' story (2)

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Over to part 2 of the history file sent to me by Nils Holm and known as the 'Järnsängen' story. Click here for part 1. Now over to Nils again:

From 1968 to 2013 the story is a pretty 'dark hole' for us, meaning we don’t know what actually happened to the car together with the new owner (it was spotted by a reader back in 2008 - see here-JB). It was registered between 1968 and 1971 at 'Stockholms Sportvagnsklubb' (The Stockholm Sports Cars Association) and was raced at least once at a club event. The new owner tried to sell it in 1970, according to information given at the 'Maximum Mini' blog, but did not succeed in selling it.

In 2013 Pelle came in contact with the owner and they came to an agreement letting Pelle take over the car to start a major renovation, now with his son Micke (Mikael Holm). First thing to do was to disassemble it into pieces, renovate part by part and then rebuild it slowly. The work has been going on for a number of years now, and the final result is amazing.

But that's for the next time.

The car in 'as found' condition in 2013. More pictures of its discovery earlier in 2008 here
Picture Nils Holm

And here without most of its bodywork. Space frame is well visible here
Picture Nils Holm 

As is the A-series engine at the back. It's still the MG 1100 unit as in the 1970 advertisement
Picture Nils Holm

Radiator is fitted at the front in a steeply raked position. Note air duct behind
Picture Nils Holm 

The front from the other side. Note the angle of the steering set-up here
Picture Nils Holm

The engine used to be a 1275 Cooper 'S' in Group 4 guise before 1100 unit was fitted
Picture Nils Holm

Gearbox lever is redirected to the very back of the engine / car
Picture Nils Holm

The car's history from 1968 to 2013 is still mostly shrouded in mystery
Picture Nils Holm

Luna Bug brochure found (cars still missing)

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When I came across a brochure for the ultra-obscure Luna Bug lately I just had to buy it. Made in Fratton, Hampshire, the Luna Bug was a rather shameless copy of Stimson's Mini Bug, with similar framework and a body that looked much alike and even built around the corner. The thing was offered for sale in late 1970 from 145 GBP as a basic kit and two are believed to have been made, one with steel body and one in fibreglass (story here). The steel bodied car supposedly was the one offered for sale exclusively by Self Fit ltd. of Portsmouth in 1970. While the other car (or so it seems) was found a couple of years ago (click here) only to disappear once again soon after. It was registered 'PBK 714H', while the demonstrator used 'PBK 705H'. I would still love to find out more.

A Luna Bug brochure has to be rare. Just two Luna Bugs were made
Picture Jeroen Booij

Prices appear to have been lowered at one stage. Self-Fit Ltd. has forgotten all about it
Picture Jeroen Booij

The car as it could be seen in an advertisement in November 1970
Picture Jeroen Booij archive

And a Luna Bug as found in early 2013. The same car? Or a different one after all?
Picture Jeroen Booij archive via Paul Wylde

It disappeared off the radar as soon as it had appeared. Where is it now?
Picture Jeroen Booij archive via Paul Wylde



Quasar Unipower returns to the roads in Austria

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Good news from Austria! The Quasar Unipower found in a shed in the UK and brought over to Vienna by Wolfgang Buchta is ready to be enjoyed on the roads once more.
Wolfgang wrote: "The Eagle has landed! A small step for mankind but a giant leap for the Buchta Family! After a long time of being quiet I finally can report on some progress on the Quasar. The Cube is thoroughly cleaned, partially repainted and up and running! Next it will be road registered and then... Then you will be most welcome in Austria! All the best, Wolfgang. That's just perfect. Now let's see when I can make it over to the Buchta's place.

Thoroughly cleaned, partially repainted and up and running once again
Picture Wolfgang Buchta

 And this is what it looked like a year ago when dragged from a shed in the UK
Picture Wolfgang Buchta

 The 850 Automatic is refurbished and now up and running again
Picture Wolfgang Buchta

 A repaint in its original bright white was necessary also
Picture Wolfgang Buchta

 The Quasar's interior needed lots of cleaning and a repaint also
Picture Wolfgang Buchta

 But now 'The eagle has landed!' as Wolfgang says
Picture Wolfgang Buchta

Market round up (Autumn 2019)

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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

The 'Järnsängen' story (3)

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Click here for Part 1 and Part 2 of the 'Järnsängen' story about a rediscovered Swedish Special. Over to Nils Holm for Part 3:

In 2013 Pelle came in contact with the owner and they came to an agreement letting Pelle take over the car to start a massive renovation, now with his son Micke (Mikael Holm). First thing to do was to disassemble it into pieces, renovate part by part and then rebuild it slowly. The work has been going on for a number of years now, and the final result is amazing.

One goal with the renovation was to get it accepted by the 'Swedish Classic Racing Car Assosiation'. In June 2019 it was tested at 'Gelleråsen Areana' in Karlskoga, Sweden during the event 'Karlskoga Velodromloppet Historic GP' and in July 2019 Pelle and Micke got a final notification that it most probably will be accepted and appointed registration in the 'Sport-cars' class as a prototype.

A few things need to be done before the final registration. The cooler – now placed beside the driver seat – need to be moved, and the gas tank has to be replaced to fullfill all security regulations.
These requirements will be maintained as soon as possible.

During the test at Gelleråsen Arena the engine was the renovated 1100 cc from the 1960's. Now to get it back to its originality the engine is replaced with an upgraded 1275 cc Cooper S group 4 with a Weber 45. Next step in the 'Iron bed' story is to get it inspected, approved and finally registered as a Historic Classic Racing car... there will be more to come!

Chassis is fully restored here and in primer paint 
Picture Nils Holm

There is no doubt that this is one particularly low machine
Picture Nils Holm

Mini subframes refurbished, too, and ready for a new coat of paint
Picture Nils Holm

A few steps ahead and a rebuilt 1275 engine to Group 4 spec is back behind the seat
Picture Nils Holm

2016 - time for test drive at the 'Malsta GoCart strip' in Norrtälje, Sweden
Picture Nils Holm

The two drivers are 'Micke' and his grandson 'Albin'… the fourth generation now
Picture Nils Holm

And look at that! Fully restored and ready to go once again after all those years
Picture Nils Holm

This pictures shows very well that the front of an Ogle SX1000 was used as a back!
Picture Jeroen Booij / Nils Holm

At the Gelleråsan Arena in June 2019, when there was a great interest in the car
Picture Nils Holm

And it made it to the track, too. Catching up on the Lotus here…
Picture Nils Holm

Micke back in safety. Now time for inspection and check up, wrote Nils…
Picture Nils Holm

One more message coming in from Nils with some additional information: "I'd like to add a few facts about the modifications to be done before it can be fully accepted. One thing is to restore the radiator as from the early days in the front. When shown at 'Gelleråsen' it was placed beside the drivers seat. But since this is not accepted now, Pelle now puts it back in the front with a different mounting. The petrol tank is today an aluminum high pressure oil tank from an airplane. This does not fulfill all the security regulations and must be replaced. Finally I can tell that the 1275 group 4 engine is back but not with the Weber yet. That's all for now, I'll be back, Nils."

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