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Who knows more about this desirable hatchback Mini, based on a '65 Morris Cooper S?
It was used as a tender to a coachbuilt camper and was last on the road in 1985.
http://maximummini.blogspot.com/2013/06 ... rabus.html

This one? http://www.aronline.co.uk › AROnline › Events

Can't get link to post. Type in Earnest Marples mini into search and it comes up on "aronline". He's the guy who bought the original.

Jeroen Booij wrote:Who knows more about this desirable hatchback Mini, based on a '65 Morris Cooper S?
It was used as a tender to a coachbuilt camper and was last on the road in 1985.
http://maximummini.blogspot.com/2013/06 ... rabus.html

What a story! Fantastic stuff. I bet this Radford is sitting in a garage waiting to be found. Let the hunt begin

Looks like this Radford did not get the electric window conversion.

As you say Jeroen according to DVLA it's not been taxed for a while or is sat in a drawer somewhere.I've got a photo of the Carabus and hatchback together from an old copy of (I think) Motor with the back end sticking out on the ramps. A great assembly isn't it ? Beats a smart car on a trailer (though doesn't leave much room inside the bus !)

Excellent story Jeroen, never noticed that Pathe footage before, I'm sure the story will unfold....

Sheffield registrations on both bus and car which might mean they were suppled by Kennings.

nick rogers wrote:Sheffield registrations on both bus and car which might mean they were suppled by Kennings.

You can think about that next time you're watching a movie !

(joke explanation : Nick's local cinema used to be Kennings, beautiful building )

Pete i reckon Nick as it stashed away somewhere in South Sheffield

Goff

Amazing.....thanks for posting the links.

Thanks for the comments, chaps.
And as Nev says: let the hunt begin.

The car's not lost! PK.

Welcome to the forum FWA

Would love to hear more.

M

FWA100C wrote:The car's not lost! PK.

Hi & welcome inhere


May one asume you are the same Peter, who posted on Jeroen,s Maximum Mini ?

Your forum name is also "in sync" with the bus & hatch .

Hope to hear more



Jens Christian

It's with great pleasure that i can confirm the carabus car is indeed safe and being well cared for by FMA100C,

In Dec last year, following an article on a 970s in classic car magazine, we received a call from Peter offering a cooper S for sale, after a lentghy conversation is was confirmed to be FWA98C (the carabus car) the one that i'm sure everyone has been searching for, including Me.
I'm very delighted to be able to say, that a deal has been done and the future will see the car restored to the condition you see in the Pathe news,
between Peter and ourselves we can follow the history from before it left Radfords to when Peter bought the car in the early 80's and shortly after put it away for a later day. more details and photo's will appear shortly,
I wish to than Peter for selling me the car and loo forward to showing the car when finished.

regards Fred

nippycars wrote: I wish to than Peter for selling me the car and loo forward to showing the car when finished.

regards Fred

So that's what you've been up to ! Congratulations all round on a great car , so what colour was it originally before the repaint ? Also, I wonder what happened to that fantastic bus ?

Great News! And well deserved by Fred and his dad Tony. True mini enthusiasts that will treasure the car and have the skills to bring the car back to its former glory!

careful nev, if your tongue goes any further, you will be tickling his tonsils!

Ian I'd lick the carabus but not Fred or Tony LOL

Thanks everyone. I have invited peter to answer your question pete as he owned the car in the era in question.

Hi,a few words.I'm Peter I have been the car enthusiast since birth and have a collection of cars,it was 80 odd,mainly mga,bv8s,cs and cooper /s minis +others.After an illness I realise I need to thin them down,so the cull started 2yrs ago.It was decided the Radford should go to someone who would appreciate what it is.A few years ago a mini spares chap in Sheffield no names N.R suggested it was'nt worth much but would be worth something for spares,just as well I'm not as green as cabbage looking.Back to now,I approached some one on the mini cooper stand at the nec18mths ago.but he wanted to picture it(some chance) see Fred,and eventually contacted Nippy cars after reading the 970S article.Fred passed the interview and the rest as they say...In answer to some of the questions,I have known the car most of it's life,I had a Saturday job at Coldwell Engineering,who were into race/tuning etc.The Radford was originally very pale green,then brush painted a darker green.Never got to be black,I was going to paint it black with a silver roof but never did.As the years passed it was obvious to me it was very special and should be returned to original.In my possesion it was destined for completion June 2075 So its hopefully going to a new carer,anyone for a doze mgcs,thanks PK. next chapter soon!

Ps not emptying the chickens out of the coach+ where would I keep the inlaws