Where is John Lennon's Mini?
- Pete
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
Interesting stuff Jacco (well to some of us! ) , yes it could well be the car pictured through the window at Tittenhurst. It’d be nice to put this to bed one day! Jo Jo’s partner Jeremy Sumner won’t talk to anybody about it now unfortunately due to being harassed by previous characters (one of whom you mentioned above!)
Yes Nolan was selling pirate copies of the Brydor ledger on EBay a couple of years ago and plenty were happy to advertise the fact that they’d got one. Unfortunately for the scurrilous memorabilia dealer I originally bought the ledger off he made a fatal error in his little side hustle to sell copies behind my back. I was assured by him on purchase and in writing that no copies had been made, sold or would be in the future but he tripped himself up by photographing the copies he was illegally selling of the ledger (to Nolan etc) on his own kitchen table with its very distinct tablecloth he originally used to sell the ledger to me on EBay! To avoid court action by the current owner of the ledger that dealer had to sign over copyright of those images to him and therefore he was able to stop the dealer and Nolan selling those pirate copies.
I’m still quite sad that I felt the need to sell the ledger to Kearon in the first place and it certainly wasn’t about the money, especially having been given a rare opportunity to buy it in the first place but in the state I was in following the loss of my wife three years ago I was actually relieved to be rid of what quickly became a poisoned chalice, which is a real shame because there was a great retirement project there for me researching that ledger (as you have been doing Jacco ) and possibly a really interesting book at the end of it.
But there we are , and people wonder why I’m so intolerant of dishonest scumbags.
Yes Nolan was selling pirate copies of the Brydor ledger on EBay a couple of years ago and plenty were happy to advertise the fact that they’d got one. Unfortunately for the scurrilous memorabilia dealer I originally bought the ledger off he made a fatal error in his little side hustle to sell copies behind my back. I was assured by him on purchase and in writing that no copies had been made, sold or would be in the future but he tripped himself up by photographing the copies he was illegally selling of the ledger (to Nolan etc) on his own kitchen table with its very distinct tablecloth he originally used to sell the ledger to me on EBay! To avoid court action by the current owner of the ledger that dealer had to sign over copyright of those images to him and therefore he was able to stop the dealer and Nolan selling those pirate copies.
I’m still quite sad that I felt the need to sell the ledger to Kearon in the first place and it certainly wasn’t about the money, especially having been given a rare opportunity to buy it in the first place but in the state I was in following the loss of my wife three years ago I was actually relieved to be rid of what quickly became a poisoned chalice, which is a real shame because there was a great retirement project there for me researching that ledger (as you have been doing Jacco ) and possibly a really interesting book at the end of it.
But there we are , and people wonder why I’m so intolerant of dishonest scumbags.
- Pete
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
By the way an insurance cover note for the car appeared online a few years back with who named on it? I’ll find it and have a look as I’ve not looked at that for years.
- mab01uk
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
Paul McCartney with Ringo Starr! - Sgt. Pepper and Helter Skelter - (Live at O2 Arena London 19/12/24):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4t7nWz2Yy4
Paul McCartney with Ronnie Wood - Get Back - The Stolen Bass first appearance in 50 years - (Got Back Live in London):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GuFtZ_Fe10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4t7nWz2Yy4
Paul McCartney with Ronnie Wood - Get Back - The Stolen Bass first appearance in 50 years - (Got Back Live in London):-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GuFtZ_Fe10
- Pete
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
Would have loved 5 minutes to ask him a a few questions. Ive sent Mary his daughter the questions instead. Watched Midas Man the other night (about Brian Epstein) and ….worth a watch but a bit disappointing to be honest. The first person story telling format didn’t work for me and neither did the caricatures of the band. It’s a big story to tell and I think it was too big for the budget.
- Pete
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
Beatles Minis do get the odd mention in a few books. Pattie Boyd mentions her orange Radford in her book in relation to an LSD fuelled trip to a party with George and John. Harrison got done for speeding in his and then a mention in press officer Derek Taylor’s book with reference to a ‘trip’ to Epstein’s new house warming party at Kingsley Hill in May 1967 in Harrison’s Radford Mini. I can totally understand why the crashing and total rebuilding of McCartney’s Mini was covered up!
I’m currently reading Kenneth Womack’s book on Mal Evans which Evans had virtually finished when he was shot dead in LA in 1976 but took until 2023 to release. Like Terry Doran (who ran Brydor) he went everywhere with the Beatles so should be a good read and might feature some mentions of the cars.
I’m currently reading Kenneth Womack’s book on Mal Evans which Evans had virtually finished when he was shot dead in LA in 1976 but took until 2023 to release. Like Terry Doran (who ran Brydor) he went everywhere with the Beatles so should be a good read and might feature some mentions of the cars.
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- MiNiKiN
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
How on earth could Harrison drive whilst high on LSD?
I know of someone who wasn't even able to crawl to the loo, whilst on the much milder mushrooms.
I know of someone who wasn't even able to crawl to the loo, whilst on the much milder mushrooms.
Yes I am a nerd: I am researching the Austrian Mini-racing scene of the 60s and 70s
- WMU 211G
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
The first time John and George took LSD was in late '65 when their dentist invited them round for a dinner party, he slipped it into their drinks and George remembered driving home at about 18mph in his Mini, probably the almond green and white 850 pictured in his garage in a well known set of photos, alongside his white DB5.Pete wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 12:11 pm Beatles Minis do get the odd mention in a few books. Pattie Boyd mentions her orange Radford in her book in relation to an LSD fuelled trip to a party with George and John. Harrison got done for speeding in his and then a mention in press officer Derek Taylor’s book with reference to a ‘trip’ to Epstein’s new house warming party at Kingsley Hill in May 1967 in Harrison’s Radford Mini. I can totally understand why the crashing and total rebuilding of McCartney’s Mini was covered up!
I’m currently reading Kenneth Womack’s book on Mal Evans which Evans had virtually finished when he was shot dead in LA in 1976 but took until 2023 to release. Like Terry Doran (who ran Brydor) he went everywhere with the Beatles so should be a good read and might feature some mentions of the cars.
Nidge
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- Pete
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
I thought Pattie says it was in her orange Mini. Will try and dig out the book, if I still have it!?WMU 211G wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 4:30 pmThe first time John and George took LSD was in late '65 when their dentist invited them round for a dinner party, he slipped it into their drinks and George remembered driving home at about 18mph in his Mini, probably the almond green and white 850 pictured in his garage in a well known set of photos, alongside his white DB5.Pete wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 12:11 pm Beatles Minis do get the odd mention in a few books. Pattie Boyd mentions her orange Radford in her book in relation to an LSD fuelled trip to a party with George and John. Harrison got done for speeding in his and then a mention in press officer Derek Taylor’s book with reference to a ‘trip’ to Epstein’s new house warming party at Kingsley Hill in May 1967 in Harrison’s Radford Mini. I can totally understand why the crashing and total rebuilding of McCartney’s Mini was covered up!
I’m currently reading Kenneth Womack’s book on Mal Evans which Evans had virtually finished when he was shot dead in LA in 1976 but took until 2023 to release. Like Terry Doran (who ran Brydor) he went everywhere with the Beatles so should be a good read and might feature some mentions of the cars.
- mab01uk
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
On the subject of Beatles Minis in books, the extract below (also posted earlier in this thread) details a story by John's sister Julia of John driving across the golf course in Weybridge. (Note: As later commented by "WMU 211G" the timeline of dates in the book may be a bit askew).
viewtopic.php?p=222878#p222878
viewtopic.php?p=222878#p222878
WMU 211G wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2019 8:27 pmI think Julia might have her time line a bit askew, the Lennon's moved into Kenwood in '64 around the time of 'A Hard Day's Night', John passed his test in '65 (in George Martin's Triumph Herald convertible), John, George and Ringo didn't take delivery of their Radfords until early '66, and Ringo's was burgundy not black!mab01uk wrote:Extracts below taken from the interesting book 'Imagine This' growing up with my brother John Lennon by Julia Baird:-
https://juliabaird.co.uk
Page 201/202
"John and Cynthia had just moved into 'Kenwood' when they took us to see George, who was living with Patti Boyd in nearby Esher. There weren't any sofas or chairs and we all sat on huge, embroidered cushions on the floor and had drinks and snacks. It was my first experience of a hippy house and I wanted a home just like theirs.
All four Beatles were now the proud owners of customised, black Mini Coopers, with darkened electric windows. Ringo's had been delivered with an outsize boot, to accommodate his drum kit. John hadn't yet passed his driving test, but still insisted on driving us to have a picnic by the Thames. John, Cynthia, Julian, Jackie and me. He drove right across the golf course in Weybridge, laughing. This time we didn't stop to collect golf balls to sell back to the golfers. The money problem had been resolved.
When we remonstrated with John, laughing, about driving on the greens, he said, 'I'm a Beatle. I can do anything.'
At that time, that was the feeling, everywhere.
- WMU 211G
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
The date was definitely late '65 Pete - when did George buy Patti the orange Mini...?Pete wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 4:33 pmI thought Pattie says it was in her orange Mini. Will try and dig out the book, if I still have it!?WMU 211G wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 4:30 pmThe first time John and George took LSD was in late '65 when their dentist invited them round for a dinner party, he slipped it into their drinks and George remembered driving home at about 18mph in his Mini, probably the almond green and white 850 pictured in his garage in a well known set of photos, alongside his white DB5.Pete wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 12:11 pm Beatles Minis do get the odd mention in a few books. Pattie Boyd mentions her orange Radford in her book in relation to an LSD fuelled trip to a party with George and John. Harrison got done for speeding in his and then a mention in press officer Derek Taylor’s book with reference to a ‘trip’ to Epstein’s new house warming party at Kingsley Hill in May 1967 in Harrison’s Radford Mini. I can totally understand why the crashing and total rebuilding of McCartney’s Mini was covered up!
I’m currently reading Kenneth Womack’s book on Mal Evans which Evans had virtually finished when he was shot dead in LA in 1976 but took until 2023 to release. Like Terry Doran (who ran Brydor) he went everywhere with the Beatles so should be a good read and might feature some mentions of the cars.
Nidge
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper S
1992 Maserati Biturbo 430 2.8 litre V6
2014 Fiat Abarth 595 Anniversario
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper
1968 Mk2 Morris Cooper S
1992 Maserati Biturbo 430 2.8 litre V6
2014 Fiat Abarth 595 Anniversario
- Pete
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
Harrison bought the orange Radford Cooper in late November 1965. The supplying dealer was Basil Roy Ltd of Portland Street London, same place McCartney’s car was sourced and already converted by Radford when delivered. From then on Brydor tended to buy from dealer stock and then send off to Radford themselves, or Hooper whoever.
- Pandora
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
If they bought them post conversion, do you think they set the spec? I always assumed, perhaps wrongly, that you went to Radford or Hooper and they arranged the base car as part of the conversion, assuming it was on a new vehicle. But maybe they had agents? Was that what Basil Roy was? Maybe to do with dealer warranty etc?
Al
Al
- Pete
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
You could supply Radford with your own used car and they’d still do the conversion, Gordon Spice did that. All Brydor did eventually was cut out the middle man and supply Radford / Hooper or W&P with a new car directly as they did with George’s, John’s, Ringo’s and others. GUU707C the orange Radford Pattie got was probably a Cooper not an S because it was about a grand cheaper than George’s.
- Pandora
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
Yes, I get that. It's the bit about pre converted cars sold that I was wondering about. I've always thought being the Beatles, by '65, they would only be buying new, but to buy a pre- converted mini seems a bit odd. Wouldn't they want to spec it?
Of course, maybe some were done to a 'safe' spec of black or blue, leather, dash, stereo or what not, so folk could just walk in and buy one, but I always assumed the market they were in was very much bespoke.
And orange was an odd colour? Were most buyers from the 'better' (in name, if not quality of build!) Coachbuilders not older, more Conservative?
Interesting stuff.
Al
Of course, maybe some were done to a 'safe' spec of black or blue, leather, dash, stereo or what not, so folk could just walk in and buy one, but I always assumed the market they were in was very much bespoke.
And orange was an odd colour? Were most buyers from the 'better' (in name, if not quality of build!) Coachbuilders not older, more Conservative?
Interesting stuff.
Al
- Pete
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
No we’re just tying ourselves in knots they would have spec’d all of em and they were all brand new. It’s just the first few were bought by Brydor fully ‘Radfordised’ from the dealer then from 66 they bought the standard cars and sent them off themselves to be converted. That’s how they’re recorded anyway. Virtually no difference, just a minor detail and I’m wishing I hadn’t mentioned it.
- goff
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Re: Where is John Lennon's Mini?
Just seen this photo on Facebook jukebox page , it says it is John Lennon's Jukebox , Wurlitzer 1961 2500 model.
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