15 replies to this topic

[Lennyliverpool]

Well another good show but I dont think there were as many traders this year?
Also has anyone worked out the ratio between classic and new minis?
I happen to like both but I can sadly see the classics disappearing within 5 years

[mini-mad-mark]

I really enjoyed it too - good autojumble which I love scratching through but maybe less traders with neither Minisport nor Minispares attending.

 

RE the MINIs  - a great debating subject and I would love some kind of poll to happen!

 

I gave MITP a miss this year because last year there seemed to be just so many MINIs in ratio to minis, equal or probably more MINIs I thought.

I perceived more MINIs at Stanford this year, outnumbered by classic minis this time I think, but for how long? no idea in terms of ratio though; 2 to 1 maybe 3 to 1?

 

I'm not against or particularly dislike the MINI, I just don't have the interest in them, in the same way I'm not that interested in Honda Civics or Vauxhall Corsas

 

I chatted to the two Metro guys that were there as I would deem that to be one of the nearest "blood relatives"  along with the ADO16

 

If the MINI merits a link to the mini then surely Metro (A-series), ADO16 or even stretch to the Allegro (!) and before long you could make a case for the Maxi, the 1800/2200 Landcrab and finally a Princess or Ambassador (aargh where will it end)

 

I just don't see the connection between mini/MINI notwithstanding the fact that BMW kept the mini going whilst it got the MINI off the ground

 

Guess its similar for the VW Beetle folks (do they say Beetle and BEETLE    ) Fiat 500s and what about the Mk1/2 Escort vs Mk3 onwards.....

 

I would suggest that the Vauxhall Corsa has a better link from early to late models, also VW Golf and Polo and there are probably others I don't know that can link better than mini/MINI

 

Controversial suggestion: Make Stanford Hall classic mini only and turn MITP into the MINI show or start a MINI only show (maybe there is one already). 

 

I also own a mini based kit car - are there any MINI based ones yet?

 

I probably would stop my magazine subscriptions to MiniWorld and/or MiniMag if they start putting MINIs in them but I guess there is a MINI publication?.

I note that we swerve round them on here and send them packing to MINI2 (is that the right name?)

 

 

Just my ramblings

[Lennyliverpool]

Totally agree
Himley and Stanford should be classic mini only and MINI should get their own show venue
I dont have any issues with the new Mini I mean I have been looking at an R56 but just think both can easily have their own shows
I wonder what happens with other classic new combos
Do they have the same issues or concerns??

[mab01uk]

The problem is big shows need big ticket sales at the gate of participants and vistors to make them financially viable to run them. If you exclude the MINI visitor numbers will drop and shows will be much smaller affairs and far less in number, like many other classic cars which have long gone out of production.

eg. The annual Beaulieu Mini Cooper Show could no longer afford to use that venue if the large numbers of tickets now sold to MINI owners were lost. Years ago in the 1980/90's when the classic Mini was still a common sight on the road as a daily driver, the big shows had many more classic Minis through the gate but sadly those days are gone. In many ways we are lucky the MINI is filling the gap and if you are not interested in them it is not that difficult to pass on by. At Beaulieu most of the visiting MINI's are parked in a separate adjacent field which you don't even have to visit!

 

Same goes for the clubs, I believe the largest groups of members in the Mini Cooper Register (who run the Beaulieu Mini day) own Rover Mini Coopers, closely followed by MINI Cooper owning members. (Some of course like me own both)

I can remember when the Rover Cooper was launched back in 1990 the MCR had to have a vote on whether to allow the new Rover Mini Cooper owners to join the club or enter the show concours.......many MK1/2 & 3 Mini Cooper owners were against them joining at the time....but in the end they lost the membership vote and the Rover Cooper was allowed in !

Edited by mab01uk, 17 September 2019 - 11:41 AM.

[greenwheels]

I really enjoyed it too - good autojumble which I love scratching through but maybe less traders with neither Minisport nor Minispares attending.

 

RE the MINIs  - a great debating subject and I would love some kind of poll to happen!

 

I gave MITP a miss this year because last year there seemed to be just so many MINIs in ratio to minis, equal or probably more MINIs I thought.

I perceived more MINIs at Stanford this year, outnumbered by classic minis this time I think, but for how long? no idea in terms of ratio though; 2 to 1 maybe 3 to 1?

 

I'm not against or particularly dislike the MINI, I just don't have the interest in them, in the same way I'm not that interested in Honda Civics or Vauxhall Corsas

 

I chatted to the two Metro guys that were there as I would deem that to be one of the nearest "blood relatives"  along with the ADO16

 

If the MINI merits a link to the mini then surely Metro (A-series), ADO16 or even stretch to the Allegro (!) and before long you could make a case for the Maxi, the 1800/2200 Landcrab and finally a Princess or Ambassador (aargh where will it end)

 

I just don't see the connection between mini/MINI notwithstanding the fact that BMW kept the mini going whilst it got the MINI off the ground

 

Guess its similar for the VW Beetle folks (do they say Beetle and BEETLE    ) Fiat 500s and what about the Mk1/2 Escort vs Mk3 onwards.....

 

I would suggest that the Vauxhall Corsa has a better link from early to late models, also VW Golf and Polo and there are probably others I don't know that can link better than mini/MINI

 

Controversial suggestion: Make Stanford Hall classic mini only and turn MITP into the MINI show or start a MINI only show (maybe there is one already). 

 

I also own a mini based kit car - are there any MINI based ones yet?

 

I probably would stop my magazine subscriptions to MiniWorld and/or MiniMag if they start putting MINIs in them but I guess there is a MINI publication?.

I note that we swerve round them on here and send them packing to MINI2 (is that the right name?)

 

 

Just my ramblings

Some interesting thoughts there.

Is there nobody on here willing to take the lead to organise a "TMF" show for, say, any car that was ever equipped with an A series engine, i.e. Mini, ADO16, Allegro, etc. I bet there would be no shortage of helpers and the sponsors are obvious. Start small, I know a pub with a field, and I bet you would be surprised how quickly it would grow.

[mab01uk]

Is there nobody on here willing to take the lead to organise a "TMF" show for, say, any car that was ever equipped with an A series engine, i.e. Mini, ADO16, Allegro, etc. I bet there would be no shortage of helpers and the sponsors are obvious. Start small, I know a pub with a field, and I bet you would be surprised how quickly it would grow.

 

 

The 'Pride of Longbridge Show' happens every year and includes anything with an A series engine as well as anything Issigonis like the Mini, Morris Minor, ADO16, Maxi, Landcrab, etc......

 

Edited by mab01uk, 17 September 2019 - 07:02 PM.

[mab01uk]

I happen to like both but I can sadly see the classics disappearing within 5 years

 

The classics may reduce in numbers but only the last of the daily drivers that used to be owned by young drivers on a tight budget. Valuable and enthusiast owned classic Minis will if anything increase in number judging by what features in the various Mini magazines. There may be fewer classics at shows but the quality should be high and the MINI will make up the majority of everyday drivers at shows but with less rust....however the R50/53 MINI is already reducing in numbers as they become uneconomic to repair after 10 years or so like many modern cars......

Edited by mab01uk, 17 September 2019 - 07:17 PM.

[mini-mad-mark]

Good point about the numbers needed to make the big shows happen and needing to include the MINI for that reason but the Morris Minor seems to manage OK (similar or smaller volume to the mini I would say?)  - Never been to the MM show - I guess it is a smaller show but is there anything wrong with a smaller show? 

 

Probably not enough Metros, ADO16s and Allegros left to boost the numbers at a mini show by much even if they were included - I think all these have separate clubs already not sure about their national shows, do they have them, no idea?

 

Separate subject: How about a new MORRIS MINOR anyone !!! - If it was a BMW one maybe it would be a BORIS MINOR (like the BINI gets called sometimes)

[mab01uk]

Smaller shows are ok and older Mini enthusiasts will remember these very first Mini shows in the links below which were small but friendly.........however we have got used to much larger shows over the years with lots to see and do, I often hear people today complaining if a show is poorly attended or only has a few trade stands, so not sure todays Mini enthusiasts would travel very far for a 'small' show?

 

First MOC Meeting 1982 - Twycross Zoo

This show eventually developed into the MOC National Show at Stanford Hall:-

http://www.theminifo...2-twycross-zoo/

 

Mini Cooper Club - Beaulieu Show 1982 & 83:-

http://www.theminifo...aulieu-1982-83/

Edited by mab01uk, 17 September 2019 - 09:45 PM.

[greenwheels]

Nobody has mentioned the Himley Hall show last May.

Me and my GF had been regular attendees to the Castle Combe show for almost as long as it existed, but stopped going when it became overwhelmed with BINIs. Being a track day it always used to attract a range of interesting Minis. We had never made it to the Himley Hall show but decided we were missing Mini shows and decided to go. We were pleasantly surprised! Not only was it not dominated by BINIs as we feared but the few there were placed in a corner. The show reminded us of the old days of Mini shows with good traders and autojumble, with lots of Minis and clubs on display. It was a great atmosphere. If no BINIs had turned up I feel sure the show would have been a financial success.

Following Himley Hall we were planning to go to Stanford Hall, a show which was at one time on our 'regular visit' list. However something came up and we could not make it, we were disappointed. Imagine our surpise when this thread came up saying it was dominated  by BINIs. Why did that happen? It seems most odd.

I've nothing against the BINI, in fact it helps to pay my pension, so buy one if you like to, but why does it have to interfere with proper Mini shows, cannot it have it's own show?

[62S]

Part of the reason Stanford Hall show was smaller this year must be down to the clash with the Goodwood Revival. There was 100+ classic Minis and their owners there, many of which would normally have been at Stanford.

[Shifty]

I don't get where the hate is coming from for Stanford Hall, we went and had a brilliant time.  

 

Also to anyone moaning about the Bini to classic ratio, the answer is simple.....bring your car to the show!!  It's really that easy.

 

I had 4 (FREE) spaces left on the TMF stand and had no takers.  

[Icey]

Part of the reason Stanford Hall show was smaller this year must be down to the clash with the Goodwood Revival. There was 100+ classic Minis and their owners there, many of which would normally have been at Stanford.

We also ran our Isle of Wight event on the same weekend which had 160 cars, mostly classics (80-90%) and we know we were down a few because of Goodwood.

Personally I’ve rather tired of shows like Stanford. We’ve dialed back what we go to because they are just very samey.

Edited by Icey, 23 September 2019 - 07:43 PM.

[roberts]

This years Stanford was the biggest yearly outdoor Mini show for at least 4 years (so minus IMM), well at least it was from where I was stood - granted I didn't get much time to have a proper walk around though, as we were so busy.

 

But from what I did see - lot's of trade (the usual traders attended and if anything I would say that there were more than at most outdoor shows), loads of show 'n' shine (both Classic Mini and MINI), an incredible concours and thousands of people enjoying themselves.

 

I can't think of a better attended outdoor Mini show since Mini In The Park was at its peak between 2012 to 2014.

 

Not sure where this negativity is coming from - if you thought Stanford was rubbish I wouldn't bother attending any other Mini shows, as you will be massively disappointed.

 

In my opinion British Mini Club have transformed Stanford (since taking over the ownership 3 years ago), thought it was the best show of the year by a country mile (helped obviously by glorious weather) - we can't wait for next years!

 

I actually can't quite believe what I'm reading in this thread, wow.

 

 

Regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[WMU 211G]

I've been going to Stanford Hall for almost thirty years and thought this year was as good as any other. I actually thought there were more traders this year, not less! The only downside for me was my Mk2 S almost boiling over in the queue to get in the gate.