Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Post by **mab01uk** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 3:44 pm

Just when you think you've seen all the amazing discoveries of this year, a bunch of rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe. In the first place there's a Wood & Pickett Mini Margrave that's been given the full treatment. Forget about the Mercedes-Benz grille, turning it into a caricature of itself if I may say, but this is one desirable car. It looks to be a sister car to '50 MAR', that was built for one sheik Omar and which is often considered to be the ultimate in W&P conversions. This car, registered '111 UN' in 1973 (on sorn since 1999), turns out to live in a Monte Carlo underground garage. And recently somebody spotted it with his videocamera. See the video here.
http://maximummini.blogspot.co.uk/2012/ ... up-in.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AO6r6RY8e0

Post by **JC T ONE** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:09 pm

Saw that, it emerged 23-12-2011, on a few dusty photos.

I have discussed it with a few fellow WP guys from UK, and we dont belive its a "sistercar" = its 5OMAR.

One of them searched DVLA for 5OMAR, and it now recides on a Bentley, from 2000 something ? (cant remember what year)

These Coachbuilt cars were so individual & bespoke, so it would be a rare sight to see 2 cars, with so many identical features.

These cars were often returned to W&P for additional jobs.

Shame that the address was leaked on youtube

now everyone knows where the car is parked

lets just hope they have some good security.

Jens Christian

Post by **Pete** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 6:47 pm

JC T ONE wrote: I have discussed it with a few fellow WP guys from UK, and we dont belive its a "sistercar" = its 5OMAR.

Jens Christian

Though a glimps of the interior may be the stongest evidence. You're right no two W&P's were identical but some from the same era were very similar.

Dean · Post by **Dean** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:34 pm

50MAR. Was that car ever red????

I have a friend, who bought a car like that at a auction many many years ago. There was 2 car in the lot. One he sold the other he rebuilt. Looking the same as 50MAR. It was finished in red, knock on wheel locks. Full leather interior. 1380 engine with JK 5 speed box. Air con, de seamed.

It was I feature( main feature) , I think in mini mag. I do have the mag some where. Been meaning to dig it out.

He sold the car and was going to find out what happened to it until this post came up.

Post by **Nevsmini** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:49 pm

Jens i think your right! Looks like an upgraded 50MAR to me. A lot of small details the same it even has the same sun roof under the white vinyl. Jens if we fly down to Monaco with a foot pump do you think she will drive back.

Post by **JC T ONE** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:32 pm

Pete wrote:
Though a glimps of the interior may be the stongest evidence.

You are right, but the 2 things one CAN see, mathces 5OMAR = rearwiew mirror,
this is not a strong indication in itself, as most full Margraves, had the Lucas Alloy / chrome mirror,
but it does show that this car was built many years before the other WP,s with Landau conversions,
as these are fitted with the later Black type mirror.

The other thing is the steering wheel = same as 5OMAR, and this is a much better piece of evidence,
as this & the mirror show the car was built in the earlier part of the 70ies = late 73, when 5OMAR was built.

Pete wrote:
You're right no two W&P's were identical but some from the same era were very similar.

Yes agree, but check the details =
you will notice that every detail on the car matches 5OMAR = the 3 roof aerials – sunroof – rear screen – boot lid –
front wing antenna – wheels & spinners – exhaust – steering wheel – rearwiew mirror – the 4 spots - Yale locks - etc etc .

Edit, was just on Eurods/WP to look at the other 3 Landau,s .

Two have no quarters, and the one that does have quarters (UYF 4S) have the Innocenti type.

W&P stopped using the James Young type around 1974, the car in the video have these,
so thats another clue to this being an earlier car, that went back for a Landau conversion.

But it would be fantastic, if it WAS another car all together

Post by **JC T ONE** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:40 pm

Nevsmini wrote:
Jens i think your right! Looks like an upgraded 50MAR to me.

A lot of small details the same it even has the same sun roof under the white vinyl.

I think so too, and many of the old W&P articles I have say that the owners kept sending their cars back for upgrades.

Nevsmini wrote:
Jens if we fly down to Monaco with a foot pump do you think she will drive back.

Dont know ? wonder if the owner would sell ? or if its ever used ?

The 3 photos I had a year ago, showed it with a lot of dust, and it seems its STILL parked in the same spot as then.

Post by **Nevsmini** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:05 am

Just had a look at the video looks like the tyre are pumped Jens

and it has got a light resto white vinyl has been removed and the roof is painted!

Post by **JC T ONE** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:11 am

Nevsmini wrote:
Just had a look at the video looks like the tyre are pumped Jens

Yes now you mention it, but thats a good thing

= this means its used

Nevsmini wrote:
and it has got a light resto white vinyl has been removed and the roof is painted!

So that was not just my eyes playing tricks

couldnt really see it, but yes - it does looks like it.

The Red door initials are also gone .

Shame they took of the vinyl

Post by **Nevsmini** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:24 am

Other than the Landau conversion the only external difference I can see is the rear bumper has only one number plate light and 50MAR has two number plate lights.

I have one of the metal sunroofs that was fitted to the late Radfords and early W&P will post some photos later.

Post by **Nevsmini** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:42 am

As promised photos of this rare early metal sunroof fitted to the late Radfords and early W&P's

Post by **JC T ONE** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:53 am

Is that a Golde sunroof ?

have you used it ?

Post by **Nevsmini** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:45 am

Jens I have no idea of the make never looked for a makers name will have a look today. Here is a link to a '71 W&P with the same roof.

http://www.edenholmmotorgroup.com/web/u ... na/358070/

I have never used it. I bought it from a guy who scrapped a Radford in the 70's. He had this roof and a Radford GT dash left over after 40 years.

Post by **JC T ONE** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:34 pm

Nevsmini wrote:
Jens I have no idea of the make never looked for a makers name will have a look today. Here is a link to a '71 W&P with the same roof.

http://www.edenholmmotorgroup.com/web/u ... na/358070/

Hi News,

its most likely the same make

but with ONE small difference = the one in the American WP is electric

I think it could be a Golde ? they were VERY big in the old days, supplying to most car companies all over the world.

jay weinstein · Post by **jay weinstein** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 11:20 pm

the green crayford is another mini on my want but can't have list. i love it!

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Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

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Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe

Re: Rare coachbuilt Minis turn up in southern Europe