Minty - 1964 Aurora Gears Racing /Newtune 1071 Cooper S

[Pete]

First time back at Oulton since…when? Still need to research the later history.

[Pete]

Hope to get back to working on Minty soon, might take my mind off things and an engine refresh/upgrade is the first job as I’m flogging it to death on events so more Downton oomph coming soon before Blyton in May. Ive been planning a few nice events which I’m looking forward to, a few jobs to do on the car too.

A “new” photo to me, Gerry Marshall hustling the car around Snetterton and a really nice surprise when a very talented artist by the name of Neil Collins sent me this!

[UHR850]

WHOW

[alexm]

I've just binged this whole thread and loved it. Love the car, the restoration and the amount of history youve pieced together.

I'd be happy with a few photos and an old entry form. You could write a book!

[Nick W]

Finally a clear image of the breather pipe up the RH side of rear window...looks like you need to alter it a bit

[Gray]

Super painting Pete not many people manage to capture cars and people in the same image so well, quite atmospheric. Gray

[Peter Laidler]

Agree with that comment Gray. That's my next screen saver to replace the good Doc Mabo's surf blue Broadspeed in the next month or so!

[Pete]

Neil’s an up and coming artist in the motorsport world, featured in the last copy of Classic & Sportcar. I’m not the biggest fan of Automotive art but really like what he’s done there, even down to making me look like I’m trying.

[Pete]

Finally a clear image of the breather pipe up the RH side of rear window...looks like you need to alter it a bit

Ahh yes but I reckon they’d altered it when it was repainted by Newtune plus I don’t think they spent much time making it look neat, which I’m tempted not to copy.

[Pete]

I’m usually ok at spotting stuff on EBay but was gutted to miss this colour slide of Trevor Taylor in the 1071 Aurora BMC this weekend! (Crystal Palace 1965)

[mk1]

Not perfect, but better than with the big line across.

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[Pete]

Thanks for that!

[rpb203]

Blimey how good would it be to have both of them in the same stable?
I assume that it is still about somewhere Pete?

[Pete]

Yes it’s owned by a mate of mine in the south west.

[Pete]

Another new photo to my eyes, nice team shot from Aintree, April 1964. I’ve a few black and white shots from this same meeting. Trevor Taylor’s car parked in front of Minty, and VW single cab truck. Note the pair of red microcells, Minty had a pair of black microcells.

[spoon.450]

Great pic Pete......I'm sure it's been covered before, but does Trevor's car still exist ?

[Pete]

No idea Dave, I think Dave Mathews (Anita’s future husband) bought it from the Taylors in 1965 and raced it but more than that I don't know. Needless to say these cars changed appearance a lot and unless they were registered they were hard to spot when they move on.

[Pete]

Screen grab of Trevor and Anita at the Brands 6 Hours and the little article Marcus Pye did on my car last April in Autosport that I’ve only just seen! Ditto a piece John Fitzpatrick did in Classic Cars Magazine

[Pete]

Quick catch up.

Hoiked the engine out to change the final drive over winter (I plumped for a 3.7) as it was too sluggish for what I need. It’s now got a limited slip diff,decent light flywheel/backplate, straight cut drops on rollers, and the upgrades have not only transformed it but go really well together so it’s still very drivable. The Weston tacho is now fitted and apart from the elusive mirror the interior is pretty much there.

I didn’t go mad under the bonnet repainting everything so it’s still got some wear but swapped the fan for a period correct four blade job, spruced up the Dynamo and starter up and sealed the speedo aperture up on the bulkhead. I fitted a NOS red top Lucas coil, I need to finish sorting open breathers out and fit my correct leads and caps. Brakes are still causing me grief and need bleeding yet again so need to find the source of the problem.

I competed at Aintree on Saturday which was a lovely day and nice to take the car back there for the first time since it raced there (twice) in 1964. Ended up in a class for classics of all sizes, which meant being monstered by a very highly developed big Healey and a Cortina. Aintree is very fast and im flat in top by the finish line but I managed to stay in front of the other Minis. Still on a set of old A008s which are ok for now until I bite the bullet for a set of Avons or put some old CR65s on. Met another forum member there in a Mini who remembers Minty in the garage in Leicester when it was sold by its elderly owner to the grass tracker who then sold it again in the early noughties, he’s hopefully going to get me some more info on how it ended up where it did.

The car ran ok at Aintree apart from losing the clutch ( lost the locking nut). I just took the throw out nut off and the return spring and all was well to continue. Then the spongy brakes returned that I thought I’d sorted. Never a dull moment as the bonnet sprang up on my 2nd timed run which had to be aborted. Enjoyable day though and good to actually get out in the car.

Blyton was a blast the day after, though hadn’t sorted the brakes. Had a few passengers in during the day and by the end of play had broken the passenger seat frame which wasn’t bolted down. Felt perfect for the track though and would love to do a sprint here.

Not much progress on research though I’m slowly getting through a heap of old Autosports. Pictures and film clips do still keep turning up though!

Next up I just might do Prescott, got a press day for Yorkshire Motorsport Fest and I’ve got quite a few things on with Minty in June and July. Gregor Marshall is down to drive Minty at Shelsley Classic in July so gawd knows what I’m gonna drive!? Will be nice to meet up with Robbie Gordon (2nd owner) and David Wansborough (Newtune driver) aswell.

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[Pete]

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