Works car found

[Pete]

That Acropolis recce...

[LMM76C]

what was the reason for replacing the shell when it appears to be so original and undamaged.

The "Works Cars" section of the Mini Cooper Forum gives an indication of the reason cars were replaced (and how often, where known/suspected), as does Brian Moylan's "Anatomy" book. Often for purely cosmetic reasons. After a rough event (and a few tarmac ones too) a car that was supposed to be representing the best of BMC might appear superficially straight but would not stand close scrutiny. Complete new cars, not shells in most cases, including this one.

[spoon.450]

There's a photo of Paul's car in this months Cooperworld, included in an informative article about Ron Crellin, written by Peter Barker ( page 23 ).

[Martin Price]

Wasn't it Peter Barker who wrote the Mini World article on the RAC rally ringer of GRX309D chaps?

[davidnutland]

a picture paints a thousand words

29541757_1911347402209780_9214605462469574451_n.jpg

[spoon.450]

Wasn't it Peter Barker who wrote the Mini World article on the RAC rally ringer of GRX309D chaps?

Yes, that's right, MiniWorld June 2005, the Tony Arnold car. Peter was a regular contributor to MiniWorld, and very knowledgeable on all things ex-works. Off the subject of GRX 309D, but I recently re-read an interesting old MiniWorld ex-works article ( April 96 ) which Peter contributed to, featuring 977 ARX (which Peter owned at the time ), URX 560G and CRX 89B. Some great pics. with the late Tony Fall.

[Pete]

I've edited this thread by snipping a few posts as I really don't think we need any more spats on here about clubs or works cars that are not related to this one.

[spoon.450]

I've missed the posts that have been snipped.....must have been snoozing ! ....but thanks. We don't want this thread to get locked....there's still lots more to come yet !

[spoon.450]

Thanks to an old MCR magazine we have found another previously unseen to us photograph of the underside of ( possibly ?? ) Paul's car. It was featured in a 2008 article detailing Works sumpguards and describing the unique way that early '66 heavy duty guards were fitted. The photograph was identified by Bill Price as being one of the two '66 Flowers cars, either Paul's GRX 309D or the Tony Fall driven GRX 5D. The accompanying photograph in the article shows Paddy and Ron in Paul's car.
The article was passed on to us during a meeting with Margaret and Martin Pacey, owners of the lightweight GRX 311D, arguably one of the most modified of Abingdon Works minis, which is currently awaiting restoration. This sounds like a fantastic car which I look forward to seeing soon. Thanks to Margaret and Martin for sharing this information.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=949

[LMM76C]

Not GRX5D on that event as that was a Group One car (standard exhaust manifold necessary).
However, no sign of "skidding" of front tie bar mountings which would surely have been there on Group 2 car on an event with some rough roads. Maybe left off after Monte troubles as it was decidedly "iffy", even on a Gp2 car?

[spoon.450]

Not GRX5D on that event as that was a Group One car (standard exhaust manifold necessary).

So....the photograph must be Paul's GRX 309D then. Thanks for the confirmation Keith...

[SMOKE GREY]

Not GRX5D on that event as that was a Group One car (standard exhaust manifold necessary).

So....the photograph must be Paul's GRX 309D then. Thanks for the confirmation Keith...

And no 'lines' underneath, as for Group 1

[spoon.450]

Thanks to Keith ( LMM76C ) we have another new to us photograph of Paul's GRX 309D in action on the '66 Flowers. Believed to be taken from a period Italian magazine which also contained details of the route and interesting pics of other Works cars.

[LMM76C]

HopkirkCrellin 66 Flowers.jpg

Hopkirk 66 Flowers.jpg

[spoon.450]

Bloody ell Keith....fantastic !!!...thanks for posting. It's brilliant when new info / pictures turn up

[LMM76C]

66 Flowers HopkirkCrellin.jpg

Not sure if you already have this one.

Did you not see PM suggesting you view the link again! (he's now moved on to 1967 so I don't think any more 66 photos will be on there). All on Mini Cooper Forum.

[spoon.450]

Yes, I have the PM, thanks Keith. The previous two pics are new to us.....we do have the last one.
Really appreciate the results that you are sharing from your research. You never know what interesting photos are going to turn up next !!
Thanks again, you have PM

Dave

[Pete]

The one on the LH bend is cracker, not seen that one before.

[LMM76C]

The one on the LH bend is cracker, not seen that one before.

One might assume that the steering angle was the result of normal Mini attitude compounded by use of 3.5 in wheels after years of 4.5 in use - except that photos of Vic Elford's Lotus Cortina from the same source show exactly the same amount of understeer - and if that might be put down to Elford's propensity to drive Cortinas much more on a "racing line" than R.Clark or the Scandanavians, Soderstrom at the same point is just as bad.

[spoon.450]

More pics to come soon.....as ever....a little bit more work than anticipated was needed