Could have done without the nonsense with the kids.
Could have focused on the bodywork, subframes etc, etc.
Must admit I've heard of Downton Engineering, but couldn't for the life of me think of what car/cars they specialised in, another of those names just lurking about in your head.
As an aside, I think we're due a doc on British women in motorsport over the years aren't we.
I've seen Pat Moss's co-driver talking about hallucinating due to fatigue while on the Monte Carlo Rally.
I had a Cooper in 1965, and was "told off" by Mr Plod for having a split number plate, so I would have preferred that to be put back in the correct place, and the wheels replaced by standard Cooper ones.
The Cooper badge on the boot lid was obviously added later but apparently the car had been in a bump so maybe the bootlid had been replaced at some point.
I have just ordered one of the next generation of Coopers. The technical spec is unbelievable, as is the engine efficiency. I like the looks but not to everyone's taste, but the handling and feel is still Mini like in spite of the extra bulk.
It was a strangely unconvincing programme re the restoration.
I thought the idea was to restore the car to as good as new condition, if not better.
This one was left with the wrong wheels, an illegal number plate at the front and a tatty old one at the back, an awry Cooper badge on the bootlid and a suspect gearbox judging by the look of relief on their faces when they managed to get it into third gear.
Perhaps they ran out of money, but it will be interesting to see if they fix these things before the final auction.
We had our first mini in the family in 1963 in Fiesta Yellow (Yuck). I travelled, once, from South London to Blackpool in it to visit a friend. That journey seemed to last forever with its jerky rubber suspension.
It eventually ended up with a failed MOT, as the under floor area became perforated with rust and that's not to mention the rear handbrake cable pivots seizing many times and that ruddy electric fuel pump right up there near the rear nearside rear wheel covered all the time in Sh1t. Terrible design really, if we are to be honest with ourselves.
I think they should have just left it as it was, cleaned and recommisioned but all this over restored stuff is too much. A car is only original once and dropping on such a good example it should have been sympathetically brought back to life not had a massive makeover. The stance was wrong too, sat far too high at the front. Great cars though.
It has been bugging me since we first saw the mini, but where and when were those wheels from? They can't have been genuine sixties Mini Cooper wheels, can they? Or were they the aged equivalent of sticking Halfords chrome specials on a 12 year old Corsa?
It has been bugging me since we first saw the mini, but where and when were those wheels from? They can't have been genuine sixties Mini Cooper wheels, can they? Or were they the aged equivalent of sticking Halfords chrome specials on a 12 year old Corsa?
They weren't. They looked similar to Cosmic which were an 'after market' fit. Mini-Lites were the most sought after and fitted but quite expensive. In fact the original Coopers rolled off the production line with 10" steel wheels....can't remember the width now but they were quite skinny. Alloys were an 'extra'.
If you wanted an affordable set of wide wheels, Weller made some steel spoked ones which were quite nice, easy to source, very cheap bought second hand and if a bit 'tatty', dead easy to refurbish.
The Downton history is interesting as it never really achieved the same recognition as John Cooper who was already an established 'name'. Downton came to a sad end in the mid 70's as Dan Richmond practically drunk himself to death and shortly after, his wife committed suicide.
In my local area there used to be a small engineering machine shop known for it's high quality work. I was often down there having various 'bits' done and there was always customers engines or engine parts around, but one day i walked in to see a huge engine.....definitely not from any car!
It was a RR Merlin out of a Spitfire in for a complete overhaul and rebuild!
If it wasn't for a certain great film nobody would care.
BIB wrong there's always a group somewhere that cares about niche cars.
Gullwing doors, that body and 'nobody' would care, I don't think so.
I can only guess they're appreciating in value and that's why they are been featured.
Well blow me down, tomorrows Classic Car Rescue on C5, is a DeLorean.:)
Just like buses, two will come along at once.
I'm debating whether it's worth trawling their (Bernie and Whatshisface) nonsense to see some technical stuff about the car, although they're not too hot on factual accuracy.
They'll find some 'amusing' way of making a bollox of it, no doubt.
I'm debating whether it's worth trawling their (Bernie and Whatshisface) nonsense to see some technical stuff about the car, although they're not too hot on factual accuracy.
They'll find some 'amusing' way of making a bollox of it, no doubt.
I ringed it in the Radio Times but immediately crossed it out when I remembered what tits those two are and how transparently contrived the whole show is. Must gall C5 to see C4 nicking the format and doing it properly!
I'm debating whether it's worth trawling their (Bernie and Whatshisface) nonsense to see some technical stuff about the car, although they're not too hot on factual accuracy.
They'll find some 'amusing' way of making a bollox of it, no doubt.
I ringed it in the Radio Times but immediately crossed it out when I remembered what tits those two are and how transparently contrived the whole show is. Must gall C5 to see C4 nicking the format and doing it properly!
Did you literally "ring it" or is that just a metaphor for setting the riminder on you PVR?
I only ask because I didn't realise that people still did that sort of thing.
Radio Times, crikey, memories. That Radio Times aroma, too.
Grandad's glasses resting on the open page. Nostalgia.
We had our first mini in the family in 1963 in Fiesta Yellow (Yuck). I travelled, once, from South London to Blackpool in it to visit a friend. That journey seemed to last forever with its jerky rubber suspension.
It eventually ended up with a failed MOT, as the under floor area became perforated with rust and that's not to mention the rear handbrake cable pivots seizing many times and that ruddy electric fuel pump right up there near the rear nearside rear wheel covered all the time in Sh1t. Terrible design really, if we are to be honest with ourselves.
Similar story though a decade and a half later. I got a away with filling the rust holes and sills then painting the underneath with a rubberised under body protector paint to hide it all (for a few years anyway). One of the worst things that happened was that battery fell through the bottom of the housing box in the boot. My dad patched it with fibreglass and we filled the bottom of the box with resin. Then came a disastrous MOT - rust, brakes, steering, ball joints, sub-frame, so I sold it for £50.
Comments
Could have focused on the bodywork, subframes etc, etc.
Must admit I've heard of Downton Engineering, but couldn't for the life of me think of what car/cars they specialised in, another of those names just lurking about in your head.
As an aside, I think we're due a doc on British women in motorsport over the years aren't we.
I've seen Pat Moss's co-driver talking about hallucinating due to fatigue while on the Monte Carlo Rally.
I had 8 in my Allegro when I smashed it into an Avenger.
The Cooper badge on the boot lid was obviously added later but apparently the car had been in a bump so maybe the bootlid had been replaced at some point.
I have just ordered one of the next generation of Coopers. The technical spec is unbelievable, as is the engine efficiency. I like the looks but not to everyone's taste, but the handling and feel is still Mini like in spite of the extra bulk.
Are they thick or just willfully ignorant about geography...
I thought the idea was to restore the car to as good as new condition, if not better.
This one was left with the wrong wheels, an illegal number plate at the front and a tatty old one at the back, an awry Cooper badge on the bootlid and a suspect gearbox judging by the look of relief on their faces when they managed to get it into third gear.
Perhaps they ran out of money, but it will be interesting to see if they fix these things before the final auction.
It eventually ended up with a failed MOT, as the under floor area became perforated with rust and that's not to mention the rear handbrake cable pivots seizing many times and that ruddy electric fuel pump right up there near the rear nearside rear wheel covered all the time in Sh1t. Terrible design really, if we are to be honest with ourselves.
If you wanted an affordable set of wide wheels, Weller made some steel spoked ones which were quite nice, easy to source, very cheap bought second hand and if a bit 'tatty', dead easy to refurbish.
The Downton history is interesting as it never really achieved the same recognition as John Cooper who was already an established 'name'. Downton came to a sad end in the mid 70's as Dan Richmond practically drunk himself to death and shortly after, his wife committed suicide.
In my local area there used to be a small engineering machine shop known for it's high quality work. I was often down there having various 'bits' done and there was always customers engines or engine parts around, but one day i walked in to see a huge engine.....definitely not from any car!
It was a RR Merlin out of a Spitfire in for a complete overhaul and rebuild!
Agree, but at least it wasn't the same blue as the American one.
Just like buses, two will come along at once.
Lotus body & chassis with Renault mechanics.
If it wasn't for a certain great film nobody would care.
BIB wrong there's always a group somewhere that cares about niche cars.
Gullwing doors, that body and 'nobody' would care, I don't think so.
I can only guess they're appreciating in value and that's why they are been featured.
I'm debating whether it's worth trawling their (Bernie and Whatshisface) nonsense to see some technical stuff about the car, although they're not too hot on factual accuracy.
They'll find some 'amusing' way of making a bollox of it, no doubt.
I ringed it in the Radio Times but immediately crossed it out when I remembered what tits those two are and how transparently contrived the whole show is. Must gall C5 to see C4 nicking the format and doing it properly!
Ant said he could triple the amount. So are they expecting £30k plus at auction?
Glenister was on The One Show a couple of weeks back and said that non of the cars had been to auction yet.
I thought was of the best parts of the episode was the look on the girl's face when he was driving in the rain
They'll probably paint it.
Did you literally "ring it" or is that just a metaphor for setting the riminder on you PVR?
I only ask because I didn't realise that people still did that sort of thing.
Radio Times, crikey, memories. That Radio Times aroma, too.
Grandad's glasses resting on the open page. Nostalgia.
Missed it, got in late from work and forgot to set the pvr anyway.
Looking at the Radiotimes, it's painted red before they get started c0cking about.
Hells teeth, yes people still mark bits of paper with pens and pencils.
Yes, I actually ring it! RT stopped smelling of newsprint when they shifted from black and white interiors to full colour throughout.