6 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

From AROnline:
"The ease of adding an extra engine afforded by the Mini’s subframe configuration wasn’t lost on several ‘special’ builders. One of the most entertaining was concocted within earshot of the Longbridge plant, in Barnt Green village. In the mid-1960s, Tony Fisher, in conjunction with friend Dave Butterworth, built a twin-engined Autocross special. It was called the ‘Bufi-Mowog’ – Bu= Butterworth, Fi=Fisher and ‘Mowog’ was the parts trademark cast into things like BMC cylinder blocks.

– it would be good to get together all its competition history and find out what became of it?"
More here:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/blogs/blog-the-story-of-the-other-twini-mini/

[A-Cell]

Around 1968/69 the Bufi mowog special was a regular competitor at Autocross events around the Midlands. Many of us Austin Apprentices also competed or went to watch. The FTD usually went to this car and both Tony and Pat drove it at the same events. It was phenomenal to watch, 4 wheel drifts on long bends flat out. Tony and Pat ran the Post Office in Barnt Green. Lots of Apprentices lived in digs in Barnt Green as it was close the plant. I know the Fishers were active members of Hagley and District Light Car club they run Loton Park hillclimb every year and are quite a rich club as a result. It is a Ltd company and the records show Pat Fisher was a founding director, finally quitting as a director April. 2012.
So it would be possible to contact Pat through Hagley car club.
In any case the Blog was written by Ian Elliot another ex Austin App from my time who knew Tony, so I expect he will probably try to get together some more information.

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

Aha, I recently bought the magazine from many moons ago that had a short article about the "bufi-mowog" twini. Unfortunately when I say "short article" I mean it. Still, least I got it. I`ll dig it out and scan it onto here a bit later (up to me eyebrows in coach work at the mo).

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

A day off!!! lol And here are the scans of the Bufi Mowog twini terror article. It`s not that easy to read from the mag itself so please excuse the quality of the scans.   Hot car 1 rs.jpg   49.77K   11 downloads  Hot car 2 rs.jpg   50.16K   16 downloads  Hot car 3 rs.jpg   49.74K   10 downloads

[Cooperman]

Tony Fisher was a friend of mine and he was a member of 'ECF'. Since he passed away I've not seen Pat, but my good friend Barrie Williams went and helped her clear out all the stuff from Tony's workshop. I'll ask Barrie if he knows what happened to the BufiMowog when next I speak with him.

Tony was one of life's gentlemen and a really ace rally driver. He won the Motoring News Championship with Brian Melia navigating in a 997 Mini-Cooper in the early '60's.

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

I`ve just remembered (scuse me, old age aint recommended) that the reason for buying this mag was because said car had recently re-surfaced and if you go to the "Maximum Mini" website, which is dedicated to all the Mini derivatives, you`ll find details on there. The site is set out in date order so if you stay fairly recent you should find it. Having said that it`s like a good book and difficult to put down again lol. 

[whistler]

Not sure if this is the correct place for 'another' twini mini story but I remember a couple of Cardiff lads built a twini mini for autocross back in about 1970. Forgive my memory if I don't get all the facts right. They had a 1293 in the front and I think a 1071 in the back with an auto box. Seem to remember the auto box was put in 'because they couldn't sort out the 2 gear changes satisfactorily. The front engine used I think a 46 IDA Weber which stuck up through the bonnet like a steam funnel.

Anybody else remember this car and the two lads that built it. They were panel beaters and sprayers by trade.

 

They were Alvin and Richie and had a bodyshop under Ely Bridge.

Edited by whistler, 23 August 2015 - 02:51 PM.