This Mini is something special, not only for what it is but because I got to drive it, but more about the driving later. Once I got the offer to see it and drive it I just had to make the journey and boy was it worth it.

It started its current life as a shell many moons ago

Then it was built as a period rally car. All the nice period touches, the stick on rear window demister, strip front window demister, period navigator lighting, Halda gear, Lucas  fog light doing duty as a reversing light make this really look the part.

Not only does it look the part, it plays the part and it has been well used. The Historic Monte Carlo - no problem. Many local rallies incluing the Cumbrian Classic, which it won once. It's no stranger to hillclimbs either.

So what's it like now? It can only be described as marvelous. It's showing signs of age and hard use but that only adds to its character. I opened the door and carefully lowered myself into it. I'd forgotten just how low to the ground classic Minis were and my old body isn't as flexible as it once was. Once in I looked around. There was nothing in there but what was needed. No carpets. Rear seat - who needs one. Just two rally seats and harnesses, a roll cage and a load of instrumentation is all that's needed.

I turned the key and pressed the big black button on the floor. Yes, the starter button is just where it should be. After a couple of grunts and just as I thought it wasn't going to start it howled into life. The 1275cc engine is currently fitted with a single HS6 SU as the car was last used on a hillclimb and the HS6 just improves the torque a bit.

Snick it into first and let out the clutch and it takes off like a rocket with the howl of straight cut gears making wonderful music in my ears. The first bump I hit produced a sound like a puppy yelping in the back. It was just the rear tyre rubbing on this lowered to the max Mini.

So what's it really like? It's basic. It's fun. It's raw. It's fun. It's noisy. It's fun. It's quick and did I mention, it's Fun with a capital F.  I could go on & on about this car, but I think you have the idea now. I'm so glad I got the chance to have an afternoon with this brilliant motor.

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Chris Hobden warming the tyres of his MGB at the 2010 Brighton Speed Trials. A very rapid car with 257bhp from its 2 litre Rover turbo engine.

David Sprouse from Tennessee sent these three pictures.

He bought this lovely 1970 MGB GT for his son who dismantled it over the summer before it went to Wormans Classic Cars for a great restoration. The pictures of the restoration are at the bottom of the page in the link.

David promised the previous owner that the car would be properly looked after.  He's certainly kept that promise

This 1964 Plymouth Valiant was not considered as collectable as many cars. David rescued it before it ended up in the scrap yard and made it look good again.

Because they were never as well though of as sports cars & muscle cars, not many have survived which makes this one rather unique, especially in this condition.

It was restored in memory of David's father in law, who was the original owner who drove it daily.

Its restoration is the second set of pictures at Wormans

David found this 1955 Chevy Belaire in a nearby town. It was in a rough state and painted all black.

In David's care it became this, in the original colour scheme. Absolutely stunning!

David then gave it to his brother as a 60th birthday present.

I'd like to become a member of David's family.

John Prewer owns this MGB.  It is a one previous owner car, bought in Cambridge in the early 1980s.

John moved to his present location 8 years ago only to find that his daughter's new headmaster was the son of the man he bought it from. Small world indeed.

It is planned to fit a Shorrock supercharger kit to it. That should be fun!

Joseph Hladek's Green Goblin.

A lovely daily driver in Texas. Lowered, desmogged and retrofitted with twin SUs.

A car to be proud of.










Tim Carter's MG TF in the South African sunshine

Nice one, Tim