Downton V997
- Pandora
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Re: Downton V997
Funnily enough, I was just thinking "I wonder if there are any photos of it racing in period"
Al
Al
- Simon776
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Re: Downton V997
And here it is @ Bo'Ness Hillclimb in 1962
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The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
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Re: Downton V997
Pandora wrote:Interesting comments on Facebook for a chap who recalls the car arriving with GH as an original ex-racer with lots of documentation etc, but missing windows and with very minor rust on a wing. Apparently GH made only minor changes - wheels / steering wheel etc.
Interesting to hear another view on it, anyway
Al
That would be me

- mini63
- Posts: 933
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Re: Downton V997
that is a bloody awesome picture......sideburns are proper period too!!!magna0266 wrote:Here's a photograph of it in the paddock at Silverstone in the late sixties during the annual MGCC race meeting.
"You must learn, Keats, there are more things to life than breaking and entering."
- mini63
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Re: Downton V997
when was the 'V997' plate applied to it Simon?Simon776 wrote:And here it is @ Bo'Ness Hillclimb in 1962
"You must learn, Keats, there are more things to life than breaking and entering."
- mk1
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Re: Downton V997
Why are you judging classic cars by modern standards?
Or is there something I'm missing here?
I think you are. Back in the late 80's early 90's there were very, very few Minis in the UK that were "tuned" in a traditional 1960's manner. And most of the ones that were suffered from glaring anachronisms like 80's "GB" Minilites or a Momo steering wheel. There were very few that looked like they fell through a worm hole directly from the time when they were new.
Nowadays, thanks in no small part to the info on the MK1 site & forum there are many of these type of cars at shows & on the scene in general, all correct in every period detail. In all fairness, it was V997 & that article in Mini World that got a lot of people interested in classic tuning.
So, back then (in the early 1990's) , it was an outstanding car, but by "modern standards", i.e an era where most 60's Minis seem to be presented in this fashion, it's not as outstanding.
Is that clearer?
M
Or is there something I'm missing here?
I think you are. Back in the late 80's early 90's there were very, very few Minis in the UK that were "tuned" in a traditional 1960's manner. And most of the ones that were suffered from glaring anachronisms like 80's "GB" Minilites or a Momo steering wheel. There were very few that looked like they fell through a worm hole directly from the time when they were new.
Nowadays, thanks in no small part to the info on the MK1 site & forum there are many of these type of cars at shows & on the scene in general, all correct in every period detail. In all fairness, it was V997 & that article in Mini World that got a lot of people interested in classic tuning.
So, back then (in the early 1990's) , it was an outstanding car, but by "modern standards", i.e an era where most 60's Minis seem to be presented in this fashion, it's not as outstanding.
Is that clearer?
M
Mark F
General dogsbody.
General dogsbody.
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Re: Downton V997
I seem to recall that the plate V997 was originally fitted to a vehicle in 1929.
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Re: Downton V997
Wasn't it a Vicent motorcycle?nick rogers wrote:I seem to recall that the plate V997 was originally fitted to a vehicle in 1929.
Not sure where I heard that...

- UHR850
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Re: Downton V997
An other one who looks almost the same !
http://english.delta-classics.net/car/c ... on/02.html
Kees
http://english.delta-classics.net/car/c ... on/02.html

DOWNTON Mini is what I like a lot.
Collecting 60th wooden steeringwheels.
Collecting 60th wooden steeringwheels.
- Pete
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Re: Downton V997
I think he had the cage off me for that, looking at it.
Not that any Minis raced with cages like that in before the end of the 60s.
