The MINI Club of Ireland » restoration

Restored Dutch-built Classic Mini On the Road Again :

Fergal Mc Dermott — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:23:25 +0000

Car number 983 is back on the road, heralding a revival of MINI production in the Netherlands in the near future. A 54-year-old classic Mini has been fully restored at the VDL Nedcar car manufacturing plant in the town of Born, the precision work lasting around six months. The historic Austin Seven with production number 983 dates back to 1959 and was one of the first examples of the classic Mini to be assembled in the Netherlands. The car was unearthed last year in an old barn in Groningen, ravaged by the passage of time and as such an ideal candidate for the “reBorn” mission. The classic machine has since been imbued with a fresh injection of sparkle, making it the perfect scene-setter for a new chapter in Dutch-British car making relations. Next year VDL Nedcar will begin production of MINI models under contract; MINI will be the only manufacturer having vehicles series-produced in the Netherlands.

And so MINI is poised to retrace the steps of its historic forebears. Just a few months after its launch in August 1959 – in Morris Mini-Minor and Austin Seven form – the classic Mini found itself an additional birthplace in continental Europe, the Amersfoort-based firm J.J. Molenaar’s Car Companies turning its hand to assembly of the classic Mini between 1959 and 1966. More than 4,000 units were built over this period, using components delivered from the United Kingdom, plus one or two special additions only found in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Among the select group of 30 cars built in that first year in Amersfoort was the Austin Seven now making its post-barn comeback. This may therefore be the oldest example of the Dutch-built classic Mini currently in roadworthy condition; it is absolutely one of the oldest representatives of the brand anywhere in the world. But to top it all, it is a genuine “barn find” having been hidden away in said abode for almost a quarter of a century before being re-discovered and examined by BMW Group Netherlands employees. The decision to restore the car was taken quickly, aided by the certainty regarding its origins. The car’s chassis and production numbers were easily identifiable and the seats were upholstered – in traditional Dutch style – using real horsehair.

A five-strong team from VDL Nedcar took on the restoration challenge, stripping the classic Mini down to its bare bones before gradually piecing it back together again. The quintet were able to tap into a reliable well of experience and specialist knowledge in the fields of body and engine construction and apply this expertise extensively. The small 34 hp four-cylinder engine and the gearbox were given a total overhaul and some body parts and the door panels had to be rebuilt by hand. The restorers used faithful replicas of original parts wherever possible and enjoyed valuable assistance from the MINI Community in tracking them down. The restoration process was documented in full at www.facebook.com/Mini.reBorn1959, and that attracted a flood of helpful tips – not to mention the odd long-lost part – from sources around the world. The classic Mini set off on the first test drive of its second life like it was 1959 all over again; the “reBorn” mission had been accomplished. Another contributory factor in the freshness of the car is its new paintwork in the original shade Farina Grey.

Around 1,500 employees will be responsible for building MINI cars when production starts in Born in summer 2014, and among their number will be the five “midwives” who helped deliver the forgotten Mini back into the world. Their efforts are now concentrated squarely on preparing for the future of MINI production at the plant. But they are given daily reminders of their journey back into the brand’s past as car number 983 – “reBorn” in the Netherlands – looks over them from pride of place in the foyer of the new MINI focused production facility.

Source: MINI

MINI – ReBorn in the Netherlands :

Fergal Mc Dermott — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:21:06 +0000

As soon as the second half of 2014 MINIs will once again be made in the Netherlands. To mark the occasion BMW is sponsoring the restoration of a 1959 Mini originally assembled at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland. We’ll be talking more about MINI’s production plans and how they will be tweaked for the introduction of the 3rd generation later this year.

Official Release: Today VDL Nedcar employees started the restoration of one of the first Dutch Minis. This classic Mini – one of the oldest Minis in the world – was assembled in 1959 at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland and is now being completely rebuilt by a team of five VDL Nedcar employees.

They were selected from the pool of 1,500 VDL Nedcar employees who will be involved in the future production of MINI at VDL Nedcar in Born. The plant is currently in preparation for MINI contract manufacturing starting in the second half of 2014. It makes MINI the only car brand that will be in series production in the Netherlands.

MINI built in the Netherlands.

For the second time in history this British icon will be produced in the Netherlands. From its year of introduction (1959) up until 1966 the importer J.J. Molenaar’s Car Companies in Amersfoort assembled over 4,000 Minis. BMW Group Netherlands initiated a search for one such Mini built in the Netherlands.

Having found this Classic Mini, VDL Nedcar reacted enthusiastically and put together the restoration team, made up of a bodywork builder, a welder, a painter, an engine specialist and a project manager.

Before the end of this year the genuine Dutch Mini ought to be reborn in the same factory in which a new generation of Dutch MINIs will be produced in the second half of 2014. The restoration process may be followed every step of the way on MINI’s Dutch Facebook page.

After the start of the MINI production in Born this oldest of Dutch Minis can be seen at VDL Nedcar. The Mini – officially recognized by the international 1959 Mini Register – will then be put in a prominent place in the Dutch factory as a token of the 1,500 employees’ pride.

1968 Morris Mini Cooper, 998cc – Show Winner! :

Fergal Mc Dermott — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 17:53:53 +0000

Registration: STG 95F

Chassis Number: KA256-115421OA

Engine Number: 9FD-SAH34665

Number of cylinders: 4

CC: 998cc

Year of Manufacture: 1968

Sold for (£): 22,960.00

Designed as project ADO15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), the Mini came about because of the fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis. Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped, but the market for German ‘bubble’ cars boomed. Leonard Lord, the somewhat autocratic head of BMC, reportedly detested these cars so much that he vowed to rid the streets of them and design a ‘proper miniature car’.

Alec Issigonis, had been working for Alvis, but had now been recruited back to BMC in 1955. So with his skills in designing small cars, he was a natural for the task. The team that designed the Mini was remarkably small: along with Alec Issigonis, there was Jack Daniels (who had worked with him on the Morris Minor), Chris Kingham (who had been with him at Alvis), two engineering students and four draughtsmen. Together, by October 1957, they had designed and built the original prototype, which was affectionately named “The Orange Box” because of its colour.

Issigonis’ friend John Cooper, owner of the Cooper Car Company and designer and builder of various Formula One and rally cars, quickly saw the potential of the Mini for competition use. However Issigonis was initially reluctant to see the Mini in the role of a performance car, but after John Cooper appealed to BMC management, the two men collaborated to create the Mini Cooper. It was a nimble, economical and inexpensive car. The Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper debuted in 1961

Built on the 18th of April 1968, finished in Snowberry White with Black roof, STG 95F was supplied by City Motor Company Ltd, Cardiff and was issued with a Glamorgan registration mark. Amazingly the car stayed in the same family ownership until 2005. Prior to restoration the car was last issued with a valid MOT certificate on the 13th of September 1986 at which point it had a recorded mileage of 43,466. It was then used periodically before being taken off the road 12 months later. Then the car was kept in storage right up until 2005.

This particular car has had over £6500 of brand new parts fitted with invoices available to support this and many hundreds of hours of dedicated time were devoted to recreating the original magnetic appeal that this car represented when new.

The vendor, who purchased the car in the same year, began a photographically documented removal of all parts which was painstakingly done over a period of three years. In 2008, the rebuild began in earnest- the attention to detail in the rebuild of this car is truly staggering. The restoration was to original factory specification, a full description of this restoration is available in an album that has been put together by the vendor (available to view at the auction and included with the Lot). Also included in the restoration was a complete body shell rebuild with all new panels. The bodywork was completely re worked to very highest standard including the trial fitting of all the panels prior to painting. The underside of this Mini Cooper is every bit as good as on the top being fully painted and detailed throughout.

The engine has been fully rebuilt to standard specification. During the restoration new piston rings and oil pump were fitted along with a complete new cooling system. The cylinder head has been converted to run on unleaded fuel and the engine bay is detailed to ‘show standard’.
Many new parts have gone into this restoration including a new rear sub-frame, the front sub-frame has been stripped rebuilt and painted, there are new brake calipers, master cylinder, brake lines, steering rack, tie rods etc, the list goes on and on.

Our car offered here is a national show winning, totally concours car that is as immaculate underneath as it is on top!
We are informed by the vendor that STG 95F won the following events, just in 2011:

National Mini Show 2011-Class winner.

National Mini Show 2011-Car of the year.

National NEC Classic Car Show selected for display on Meguiars concours stand

National Mini Cooper Day 2011-Beaulieu master class winner

Mini Fest 2011- First class winner

From our past experience show winning Mini Coopers do not remain unsold for very long, so if you are looking for a stunning example with great investment prospects – then this is the one for you. She really is a turn-key completed project. So there is nothing to do other than enjoy this ‘Mini Adventure’ and admire the attention to detail that has been put into this beautiful restoration.

For full photos see :

http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/best-of-breed-concours-1968-mini-cooper

Featured Member – Jon Alexander

Owen — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:05:24 +0000

For our third featured member, Jon was extremely eager to tell us a bit about himself, and his very very special Innocenti Mini. Despite Jon being exiled in the outer regions of Mayo, he’s still one of the most active online members of our Club. Click the ‘Read More’ link below to see the answers Jon gave to our list of all important questions, and of course, to see more of Jon and his pride and joy.

Jon Alexander, MCOI member, and his Innocenti Mini

Name :

Jon Alexander.
From :

Mayo, the county, not the sauce!

Age :

Current Cars :

A 1975 Mini Cooper Innocenti 1300 Export.

Favourite thing’s about my classic?

Everything,it is a Mini,but finished of with a bit of Italian flair.

Insurance costing?

I think it is about 300 euro’s fully comp.

If you could buy a MINI/Mini, what would it be?

I think it would be a new Mini because i have a classic already,so i would opt for one of the new Mini Cooper “S”,with the JCW pack,and the colour would be a Cream body,and a Black roof,to match my own classic Mini colour’s.

Best things about being a Mini driver?

Well most people on the planet have heard of the mini car,it is Fun,and if you are lucky to own one ,it is a bit of motoring history you are driving around in.

Do you wave to other Minis?

Oh yes!

Advice to others?

Enjoy every minute of Owning,Driving and Fixing them,it’s Great.

Best Mini moment?

It would have to be owning Mini’s of all sort’s over the last 25 year’s and i am still counting,the enjoyment of owning a mini,getting in to my first mini when i was 17,Joining various Mini club’s like this one,Making New Friend’s,Meeting Old One’s,Going to Mini show’s,Going on Mini Run’s,Getting to meet some of the Famous name’s in the Mini’s history the list could go on and on,so that would be my Best Mini Moment,the last 25 year’s of my life and Counting.

Jon Alexander's Innocenti Mini from the front

Jon Alexander's Innocenti Mini rear end

Jon Alexander's Innocenti Mini pristine engine bay

Jon Alexander's Innocenti Mini in motion

Jon Alexander's Innocenti Mini in profile