Later Works Minis

[Pete]

Martin's point is interesting as a general point on registering a car.If a car is already on the road and registered I didn't think you could apply for another V5 to replace the one that's already on it. It's not the same process as applying for a logbook for a car that doesn't have a current registration document (because it missed computerisation, or just has no documents) , which is a common practice. Isn't this the reason that was given to Ronnie as to why he couldn't get LBL 66D back, ie his bona fide works Mini was registered with a different number like GRX 309D was after leaving Abingdon?

[smithyrc30]

A thought occurred to me on reading through the latest posts.

All the cars sold on with 'non-works' recognizable numbers must have had VIN/chassis plates in order for them to be registered.

Logically (given the we know GRX309D left Abbingdon with a B suffix) these would have come from the 'new' cars taken from the production line to rebuild lets say 33EJB (another 1964 Abbingdon car). Therefore as both cars have been modified by Abbingdon, does that not make the B plate that 309D wore a works number, just not one that appeared on an international rally car?

I guess all the records of the cars that were used as rebuilds have gone but it would be interesting to see which 'new' cars became a recognizable works entry and then where the original ID went.

I wonder if some went on to Cooperise a standard car? (I've heard that can happen.....)

[Pete]

The registration GMM 51B wasn't put on the original GRX 309D at Abingdon when it was sold off (it's a Middlesex number). It must have been sold on without any registration as 'salvage' as I suspect many others were, including LRX, and LBL discussed in this thread. The cars were registered post Abingdon using the paperwork from either (unofficially) scrapped cars or registered as built from parts?

[Pandora]

My memory is that when Garry Corpe went to collect LRX 827E in Abingdon, 829E was parked in a drive on the same street, albeit not on that reg, but was still Red/white and in his words, this wasn't yet that common. He realised it was a works shell as it still had various holes and grommets etc. which he managed to match to 829E along with certain damage to the shell.

Don't recall the reg no though.

Didn't he have a 3rd ex works car too?

[spoon.450]

That's right Pete, GMM 51B was the original identity to a 1964 Mini 850. The scrap remains of that car turned up when the owner of Pauls car at the time did some digging in the 70's. It seems likely that when Johnny Organ took Pauls original GRX 309D remains from Abingdon ( complete car built from surplus comps. dept. parts ), he needed an identity so went to the local scrapyard and bought the identity ( log book ) from a scrap car, changed the cylinder capacity to 1275 ( adding the works engine number ) and added Cooper S as the model. Apparently it was easy to do back then.

[spoon.450]

My memory is that when Garry Corpe went to collect LRX 827E in Abingdon, 829E was parked in a drive on the same street, albeit not on that reg, but was still Red/white and in his words, this wasn't yet that common. He realised it was a works shell as it still had various holes and grommets etc. which he managed to match to 829E along with certain damage to the shell.

Don't recall the reg no though.

Didn't he have a 3rd ex works car too?

That sounds familiar, wasn't that story in one of the Mini mags years ago ? Perhaps someone has a copy and can confirm ??

[Pete]

I presume (and stand to be corrected) that LRX 827E was also registered for the road when found as it was reported at the time as in use. It was re registered with LRX 827E in 1992. (not sure how that works!)

https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

I've never seen a photo of either LRX car 'as found' so to speak, not sure if there's any pictures in old copies of the MCR mag. Any in the Miniworld article? Non of either car here either..

http://www.theitalianjob.com/worksminis_LRX829E.htm

[smithyrc30]

I remember seeing it back in the 80's just after it had been 'found' and there was a picture montage of it as found. One of the pictures was on a driveway with snow on the roof. It was wearing the LRX 827E registration in that picture.

It did look a bit tatty and used, rust in a number of places, with quite a lot around the lamp socket.

[spoon.450]

I remember seeing it back in the 80's just after it had been 'found' and there was a picture montage of it as found. One of the pictures was on a driveway with snow on the roof. It was wearing the LRX 827E registration in that picture.

It did look a bit tatty and used, rust in a number of places, with quite a lot around the lamp socket.

I would like to see that picture ' just after it had been found '

[Pete]

I remember seeing it back in the 80's just after it had been 'found' and there was a picture montage of it as found. One of the pictures was on a driveway with snow on the roof. It was wearing the LRX 827E registration in that picture.

That's interesting, thanks for that. Must have been stored on the drive then but maybe missed the cut to get a V5 when DVLC went computerised, hence registered in 1992?

[smithyrc30]

Personally I don't have it, it was on one of those 'display boards' that people put by their cars at shows but I do remember seeing it. It was taken from the left hand front three quarter on a concrete driveway which sloped down from the roadway and if I recall correctly, the driveway was the two lines of concrete with stones (and weeds) in the middle.

The lamp bar and brackets were not there but the grill had been cut for them. The lamp socket was fitted but rusty all around and I think the left hand headlight had had a small knock and had a dent around it. The bonnet strap was not there but the holes could be seen where it had been fitted. There was no heated screen I think but not sure on that as it is 30 plus years ago.... Pretty sure the wipers were chipped black paint and chrome..... I think it was sitting on 'normal' mini wheels (not S ones) but again not sure.

[Pete]

LRX 829E was found in a similar fashion wasn't it, though was described as a shopping car which suggests it was registered already aswell?? It's evident that both cars were found in a very similar way to Paul's original GRX 309D , the difference being that being a rally car 309D still had it's works engine, though hasn't been received in quite the same way. In fact the discovery of the LRX pair was featured in Miniworld , I seem to remember there was even a postcard!

[spoon.450]

Personally I don't have it, it was on one of those 'display boards' that people put by their cars at shows but I do remember seeing it. It was taken from the left hand front three quarter on a concrete driveway which sloped down from the roadway and if I recall correctly, the driveway was the two lines of concrete with stones (and weeds) in the middle.

The lamp bar and brackets were not there but the grill had been cut for them. The lamp socket was fitted but rusty all around and I think the left hand headlight had had a small knock and had a dent around it. The bonnet strap was not there but the holes could be seen where it had been fitted. There was no heated screen I think but not sure on that as it is 30 plus years ago.... Pretty sure the wipers were chipped black paint and chrome..... I think it was sitting on 'normal' mini wheels (not S ones) but again not sure.

This is just the type of exciting photo we would all like to see of 'as found' works cars, and they give the cars so much more credibility.
It's just a pity, as Pete says, that they're not received the same way.

[VKA305H]

Does anyone know if LBL 606D sold when it was being offered recently? They were asking £95,000 I believe. Cheers. Brian

[Pandora]

LRX 829E was found in a similar fashion wasn't it, though was described as a shopping car which suggests it was registered already aswell?? It's evident that both cars were found in a very similar way to Paul's original GRX 309D , the difference being that being a rally car 309D still had it's works engine, though hasn't been received in quite the same way. In fact the discovery of the LRX pair was featured in Miniworld , I seem to remember there was even a postcard!

An A4 pull out poster / card if I recal, showing 3 crs yogether in the garage unrestored. The article would have been in the mid '90s. Certinly showed both LRX cars pre restoration, though one of them was minus a front wing. I gave my copy to the buyer of 827E when he bought the car (seemed the least I could do!)

Al

[VKA305H]

Re LRX 827E and LRX 829E do you mean the photo in Peter Brownings book under the heading "A pair of 1967 Tulip Rally cars are undergoing restoration by Guy Smith" ? 827 is missing drivers side front wing.

[Pandora]

sounds like the photo, but it was definitely in a mini world article, and I'm sure there was a 3rd car?

[spoon.450]

sounds like the photo, but it was definitely in a mini world article, and I'm sure there was a 3rd car?

Possibly EBL 56C ??

[Longbridge 1]

Am I correct in saying I think the article's were in Mini World and the 3rd article was about the restoration of the Freebrough car EBD 90C.

I think Guy Smith still owns one of the LRX cars and I think it was shown on the ex works display at Beaulieu,
A couple of years a go.

Steve

[InimiaD]

I think this is the pic in question. October 93 Miniworld.