Minty - 1964 Aurora Gears Racing /Newtune 1071 Cooper S

[Pete]

Beautiful looking car once finished, started with a 1071 in the back. Be great to get these two cars together again one day.

[Pete]

Nice Aurora Gears emblem on the front. The car was raced by both Trevor and Anita, Trevor blew an entire field of big sports racers away at Silverstone in the wet in 1965. The car was sold to Mick Clare who ran it for John Wales, I hear with an eight port in its latter years. Fantastic car. I have the advert when they sold that race transporter along with the rest of the cars and equipment in 1967, all painted in matching turquoise. Aurora certainly put some money into the team by the looks of it.

[Pete]

Later with John Wales and painted dark blue, which it still is.

[Pete]

I’ve lots to do yet but essentially the paint’s finished and I put the reg number on this morning. Really happy with it. Got a rear view mirror unit (thanks Al) and possibly located the correct arm. Side trims went on (from Minispares) with no problems.

[Pete]

I’ve got the long range tank to sort in the next month or two and tank breather pipes. The car wore a rear number plate hanger and I’ve had a plate made using original bits by a forum member, which should arrive soon, thanks James! My rose petals need to go away to be restored so it’s sat on Vortz for now. There was a story on Facebook that this car wore the first set of Vortz wheels but I knew that couldn’t be right, 1964 was too early for any Vortz wheel. Not sure when the first Vortz rose petal wheel was produced but I didn’t think they were even 60s! So I’ll be able to put the mags on with some CR65s once they’re done. Gp2 racers used all glass in 64 and 65 so I’ve some Perspex to swap out for glass. I’ve decided to keep the Aley cage in it for now as a tribute to him and the fact he owned it in 1966 but might take it out later.

I got hold of an original Speedwell anti roll bar (thanks Tim) which went on after some faffing but more on that shortly!

[Pete]

......

[jay weinstein]

Looks fantastic !!!!

[Nick W]

You'll have to make one of those Aurora gears decals for it .

[Pete]

Thanks Jay! Yeah I was thinking the same Nick!

Not sure how anybody else has gone on fitting a dry Speedwell bar but the brackets/bushes are a real tight fit with the hand brake!

[jay weinstein]

Beautiful looking car once finished, started with a 1071 in the back. Be great to get these two cars together again one day.

Pete...do you have anymore information , history , pictures , etc of the Aurora BMC ?
I looked on Maximum Mini and couldn't find anything..maybe I'm going blind.
Thanks JW

[Old English White]

It looks a corker Pete. WHAT a car with all that history8-)

[Pete]

I’m not sure Jeroen has written about the Aurora BMC racer, I’ve a few more good photos of it I’ll post up.

[jay weinstein]

Thanks

[Pete]

It looks a corker Pete. WHAT a car with all that history8-)

Thanks, so much more to find though, specifically it’s post ‘66 history, when time allows!

[InnoCooperExport]

That's looking brilliant! You must be proud.

[Pete]

Thanks, yes I’m also very skint.

[spoon.450]

It’s looking great Pete...fantastic history. Perhaps we can look forward to a feature in Cooperworld in the near future ?

[Pandora]

Got a rear view mirror unit (thanks Al) and possibly located the correct arm.

You are more than welcome, Pete.

Al

[Pete]

A few words from Stephen Hughes who came across the car in the early noughties, bought it and gave it to John Kelly to restore.

“ Still remember finding that car , it was just like yesterday , it was in the corner of a garage in Leicester, I had a tip off there was a mk1 for sale so I drove down got there about 11pm , there it was looking very sad for it’s self , but the paperwork was complete , everything present , I decided there and then it was coming back to Harrogate with me and it did , on rubbing the paint work down all the colours were there , it was the real deal , I applied for the heritage certificate, and had the car body repaired by a professional man , this was back in the early 2000’s unfortunately family issues left me no choice to sell it , I am so pleased to see it in all it’s glory and I know after speaking to peter prior to his purchase it’s going to be well looked after , I will never forget 110 NNM”

[Pete]

Some more pics of the Aurora BMC, I do have more close ups I’ll post up Jay.