Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

General Chat with an emphasis on BMC Minis & Other iconic cars of the 1960's.
mk1
Site Admin
Posts: 19843
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 am
Location: Away with the Faries
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 5 times

Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by mk1 »

I have been digging around about this car for years, finally the mystery is solved.

"Hi Mark-f further to your enquiry about the Radrord mini....in 1981 I was looking to buy a mini cooper, there was one for sale in exchange and mart. The car was in Welling, I rang the person selling it,he told me he had recently bought a farm and this car was in a barn,it started well,but was no use to him. So i went down immediately,he showed me the car and i fell in love with it. It was a chocolate bronze colour,but inside the door sills you couls see it use to be blue. He gave me a bunch of paperwork that went with it.. it was bought by Donald Campbell for his wife. He had it modified to include a 'record player' electric windows full leather interior. It flew when you put your foot down. Being a young naive boy. I didnt realise its importance and unfortunately had it stolen around 4 years after i bought it. I still regret and miss it to this day. Had someone offered to swap it for a ferrari then , i would have turned them down. The last numbers on reg plate were 604B but cant for the life of me remember the first."

Image
User avatar
Pete
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 11088
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:47 pm
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 40 times

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Pete »

Interesting, so it's gone to the coachbuilders in the sky?
Nevsmini
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1346
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:03 pm
Location: ☀️ Dublin

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Nevsmini »

Very sad :( . Thanks for posting Mark. Do you know was it a Cooper or an S?
User avatar
mini63
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 938
Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 2:24 am
Location: Adelaide, Australia

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by mini63 »

was it painted blue as per his XK150 and E-Type?
"You must learn, Keats, there are more things to life than breaking and entering."
mk1
Site Admin
Posts: 19843
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 am
Location: Away with the Faries
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by mk1 »

I believe it was light metallic blue.
User avatar
Pandora
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 3105
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:01 pm
Location: Dunfermline, Fife

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Pandora »

mk1 wrote: The last numbers on reg plate were 604B

Image
Duff memory, or a different car from the pic?

Al
User avatar
Simon776
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1181
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:08 pm
Location: Shakspere's county

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Simon776 »

Nevsmini wrote:Very sad :( Do you know was it a Cooper or an S?
It was an early 1275 S.

It had a fridge in it when I saw it. I'll see if I can find the picture.
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who do not possess it.
Jono
998 Cooper
Posts: 552
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2012 12:34 pm

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Jono »

long gone, together with Mr Woppit :(
Nevsmini
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1346
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:03 pm
Location: ☀️ Dublin

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Nevsmini »

Simon776 wrote:
Nevsmini wrote:Very sad :( Do you know was it a Cooper or an S?
It was an early 1275 S.

It had a fridge in it when I saw it. I'll see if I can find the picture.
Photo would be mega Simon 8-)
turbocox
850 Super
Posts: 210
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:18 pm
Location: Milk 'n' Beanz

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by turbocox »

Pandora wrote:
mk1 wrote: The last numbers on reg plate were 604B

Image
Duff memory, or a different car from the pic?

Al

I questioned this on the bluebird project site?

And I am still confused, I asked if the '604b' was correct or 'BLT 648b' was right? Is it the one in the photograph or are we talking about a different mini?
mk1
Site Admin
Posts: 19843
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 am
Location: Away with the Faries
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by mk1 »

I reckon it is safe to assume it's a mis-remembering, I doubt that there are 2 Campbell radfords with such close reggo numbers.

I assumed it was you Stu :)
Nevsmini
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1346
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:03 pm
Location: ☀️ Dublin

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Nevsmini »

Yes that is Donalds Radford in the photo above. One of our members has a 1071 Radford with a reg very close to this one (see photo). The bluebird is only a mockup.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
rich@minispares.com
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 6806
Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 3:16 pm
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by rich@minispares.com »

Nevsmini wrote:The bluebird is only a mockup.
really! :lol: :lol: :lol:
should you wish, you can contact me on rich@minispares.com

'long beard boss'
Nevsmini
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1346
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:03 pm
Location: ☀️ Dublin

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Nevsmini »

rich@minispares.com wrote:
Nevsmini wrote:The bluebird is only a mockup.
really! :lol: :lol: :lol:
It is rough isn't it! :lol: :lol: :lol:
mk1
Site Admin
Posts: 19843
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 am
Location: Away with the Faries
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by mk1 »

It's a very quick & dirty mockup of what would ahve been CN8 A rocket car that it was proposed to have a go at the speed of sound with :)

As we all know DC came unstuck on Coniston in Jan 67 & the CN8 project never got off the drawing board.
User avatar
Simon776
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1181
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:08 pm
Location: Shakspere's county

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Simon776 »

Nevsmini wrote:
Simon776 wrote:
Nevsmini wrote:Very sad :( Do you know was it a Cooper or an S?
It was an early 1275 S.

It had a fridge in it when I saw it. I'll see if I can find the picture.
Photo would be mega Simon 8-)
I have finally found the pictures showing the unique fridge install - you Radford fans had better prepare to weep
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who do not possess it.
User avatar
Simon776
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1181
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:08 pm
Location: Shakspere's county

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Simon776 »

There you go
BLT 648B (1).JPG
The spoiler/chin must have been a later addition
BLT 648B (2).JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who do not possess it.
User avatar
Simon776
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1181
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:08 pm
Location: Shakspere's county

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Simon776 »

You can see the various colours it was painted under the vinyl roof - it had the rear roof seam removed at some point
BLT 648B (3).JPG
Rear bumper seam also removed
BLT 648B (4).JPG
Some parts of the car do survive including the engine block that was in it shortly before these pictures were taken
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who do not possess it.
App K
998 Cooper
Posts: 457
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2012 5:18 pm

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by App K »

Can't see any holes for marchel parking lights ? post 66 door handles with sliding glass no holes for chrome trim, non s master cylinder..looks like it's been through a few changes :? :?
User avatar
Pete
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 11088
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:47 pm
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 40 times

Re: Donald Campbell Radford - Mystery Solved

Post by Pete »

[quote="App K"] .looks like it's been through a few changes :? :?[/quote

Especially the fulll size fridge! When Simon said a fridge I was picturing a little wine chiller as part of the Radford interior! :lol:

I'm sure the car was actually recycled to make a fekin fridge (sadly!!), all we have to do is find the fecker and rebuild it into a genuine ex Donald Campbell Radford! :lol:
Post Reply