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Hi All. Took my S for a blast up to Gaydon yesterday. What a hoot driving a 1380 Mini, albeit I feel like I have had my head in a metal bucket being beaten with drumsticks for 6 hours. The car performed fantastically, with the exception of a (new!)coil break down and my next task is to try to improve the cabin noise/droning which does make it a bit wearing. Despite a relatively good turnout I was really disappointed with the feel of the show. Weather was good yet it seemed to be more or less a Mini car park with very little in the way of cohesion or imagination from the organisers. The trade stands seemed dumped on a dusty corner of the land and there seemed to be no real attempt to get people involved or having fun. Perhaps the 'fun' took place on the saturday night??
One good point was that I met Len Chandler up there. Having seen his products in the flesh I can honestly say his replica Springall/Les Leston wheels are exceptional and one is definitely on my shopping list. Nice to meet you Len. I also picked up a repro binnacle with the offset rev counter from Brian Hore. Again look fantastic. Thanks Brian.
I suppose this thread counts as a moan but I would prefer it is taken as feedback by the organisers as, if the majority felt like i do without change it will not be supported in future years. Cheers. Long may the sunshine continue!

Went along early yesterday, overall had a very good day. Nipped home for something to eat then came back in the afternoon, I thought it seemed a bit more lively mid afternoon-ish, then folk started leaving. The feedback from that guys microphone was driving me up the wall though

Met up with some nice Mini bods and had a good old chin wag, some were saying there was more to see and do last year with Russ Swift in attendence and the organisation this year (ie: where people were supposed to park) was a bit untidy.

Still a good day mind... there were some very tasty cars on display, I spent more than I intended and came away with some shiny bits for my Mk2. Next years Cooper 50th anniversary might make it a touch more lively perhaps?

Nidge

i was there mid-late afternoon ish... wasnt great.... got some hardy spicers for the mk2, thats about it.... :/

I've been to Gaydon for several years now and it does not seem to get any better and this year it seemed to be a carpark full of Minis with no activities to report on. The car of the show was chosen by applause after most people had left. I don't think the traders did very well either. Anyway, on a positive note I joined Stuart and Don on the Heritage Run from Cowley to Gaydon and add a link to a selection of my photos.
http://gallery.me.com/cliffporter#100251
Cliff

Snap! Sooo boring. Hope Stanford is as good as ever. Cheers

As it's not organised by a club it's not bound to be too well put together, reminds me of the Crich show which is also just a 'cash-in' for the venue. Stanford's the only Mini show I bother with which is consistantly good, along with Bulee.

What annoys me is that it's not even an organised car park ! You got walk round the big wheels and body kitted minis not my thing at all ! Haven't been for a few years ! Probably won't go again for a few only went as I had to drop some parts off at southams !

James

I have been to a couple of shows / events at Gaydon & to be honest, I have always been very disappointed. There seems to be very little to do & invariaby few cars of interest.

I agree with Pete that it is probably down to the fact that the event has nopt been organised by a club, its been run by a business who want to make more profits & Mini fans seem like a ripe target.

As has already been said, Beaulieu & Stanford hall are the only two mini only shows I get tempted out by nowadays.

Entry to the Mini Show was, I believe, £11 if you had to pay - entry to a Ford show there in a couple of weeks is apparently only £5!

Simon776 wrote:Entry to the Mini Show was, I believe, £11 if you had to pay - entry to a Ford show there in a couple of weeks is apparently only £5!

Sure was !

Cheers for the comment about my steering wheels rolesyboy, nice to meet you too. I will not be back at that show again.

Len.

The original and long established club based shows like Beaulieu and Stanford are still the best, there are just too many Mini shows now for them all to be worthwhile attending and it depends on how far you want to travel in a car which is no fun driving on a modern motorway.
However, the Beaulieu Cooper day won't be happening next year unless the MCR can recruit a complete new team of volunteer organisers from the membership soon............