Minty - 1964 Aurora Gears Racing /Newtune 1071 Cooper S

[spoon.450]

Had a good chat with Steve Myers from Coldwell engineering today who remembers the Aurora Minis being in the showroom of the garage when not in use and seems to think Dave Mathews (who Anita later married) possibly bought the Trevor Taylor Mini. More chats to come soon. Here’s Anita with the Automobile Racing Drivers School 970 S she raced in 1965, her last year in Minis before she went to Broadspeed. Spot the Vita truck Trevor!

Nice pic......very pretty Lady.

[Pete]

Got an interesting message from Graham Smith about a Newtune Mini he bought from the firm’s boss Brian Claydon :

“This was my first car which I bought from Newtune in the late 60s. it was finished in the same colour as their racing Minis .
I believe it was originally their tow car for their racing Minis. When I bought it it was fitted with a 998cc engine but I think it had a 1275cc engine in previously. There was an interesting power bulge in the fibreglass bonnet. Interior was green and cream from a Cooper S, Cooper grille and front discs.
Brian Claydon denied the engine had been tuned, but it went like the clappers.
I went to a number of race meeting with Newtune and met Gerry Marshall and Bill McGovern who both drove for him.”

[Pete]

Managed to collect a long range tank yesterday, originally fitted to another race car. It’s the smaller one as fitted to GRX 309D the Sebring car but the larger one I had planned to buy is just too corroded. More on that soon. Also very lucky to pick up an Irvin GQ belt the same as Anita’s. Doubt I’ll ever see another come up for sale mainly cos I got it from a collector who’s specialised in rare belts for many years and he’s never seen another come up for sale either! Nice piece of kit ..

[InnoCooperExport]

What a brilliant find! and in such good condition too. I think you're right, you wouldn't come across another in a month of Sundays.

[spoon.450]

Lucky with that Pete....brilliant !

[jay weinstein]

Nice belts....Your car just gets better and better with
all the details.

[rpb203]

Just worried you’re going to post a picture of you in the drivers seat now Pete!

[Pete]

Nobody wants to see that Gary!

Nick’s done a great job of straightening the long range tank out which had a huge ding in it. It was a choice of this one (which came off another Downton racer) , a bigger one in Canada which was bit too corroded to justify using or a new repro tank which was kindly offered, which did look good and was cheaper! Decided on satin black once Nick had worked his magic and I’ll repaint the LH tank to match.

[Pete]

Been fitting all the glass back in (had Perspex in it which Gp2 racing didn’t allow 64-66), rear screen is tight! Trial fitted the Eversure mirror which to my surprise didn’t line up with the holes so will need some fettling. One of them has a snapped screw in it aswell so I’ll get that out. Sorted pretty much all the chrome out now except the moustache if anyone has a really nice original chrome one? Also put some driver names on the car and picked up some lovely period race stickers. The harness arrives next week, then Ive got the speedo to sort (dial bounces around all over the place), steering wheel to sort, some interior bits to do, tacho, fire extinguisher, and then engine bay to tackle. On which subject I’ve found a complete Downton 1275S engine and box with its original head, badge and H4s which may well be going in as it would have been in mid ‘64.

[rpb203]

That is going to be one cracking car when done Pete!
Do like this long range tanks as well, certainly not a lot of them about either.
Will be great to see it finished.
Cheers

[roger mcnab]

hi pete
how much petrol does the long range tank hold and how much space does it use up in the boot
cheers roger

[Pete]

This one’s a ten gallon version, the bigger one is 13 gallons, not fitted yet but will update when I have.

After my recent chat with Steve Myers from Coldwell Engineering about him thinking that Dave Mathews bought the Trevor Taylor Mini it was interesting to find this programme from Mallory Park in 1965..

[roger mcnab]

hi pete
it is amazing that so much old info is still available even today
cheers roger

[Pete]

screen.jpg

Fekin hate putting screens in!

[Pandora]

Pedantic point, Pete, are you allowed to display the BRDC badge?

I thought they were dead sniffy about 'non members' having the shield on their cars, as it has to be 'awarded' - I'm sure I heard of them challenging car owners over it (in that case a car had been bought from a member, who was meant to have removed it).

stuffed shirts? not 'arf!

Al

[hanlminiman]

"Rally Drivers do it Sideways" a sticker available from an advert in Motoring News in the day!

[Pete]

And...I’ve cut the screen rubber, twice.. New one required. Start again. I’ve never struggled this much before but the good news is I’ve sussed a better way to do it.

[harrymini]

Whos rubbers are you using Pete?

Used phoenix with no troubles at all, the rear was a doddle especially!

[goff]

And...I’ve cut the screen rubber, twice.. New one required. Start again. I’ve never struggled this much before but the good news is I’ve sussed a better way to do it.

Pete fitting the front and rear windows to a standard mini is a doddle , you using the wrong tool !!! far to wide , take a look at the bmc tool ?? , i always use soap and water and a blunt screwdriver to price the rubber over , then the proper tool to fit the beading strip in , i think some of the new rubber is shite , really hard to bend , work and rips really easy !!!

car is looking good .

[GraemeC]

I always use plastic bike tyre levers - nice size, strong and generally non-marking when they slip