18 replies to this topic

[Tim Edwards]

Could someone tell me how late Downton Minis were made ,I heard stories that Ripspeed had something to do with later conversions.Any info or sites where I might look would be appreciated!!

[ashby_steve]

just googled it and i cant find anything on it mate
why you interested?

[Tim Edwards]

Got a 83 Mini with Downton bits and VIN or ID plate on it,just interested in its history or is it a fraud?Not bothered if its is fraud because it looks nice!

[Pitcrew6464]

PHOTOS...... please

[Tim Edwards]

PHOTOS...... please

Only bought it last week ,will take some photys tomorrow and post them!

[Teapot]

Probably 1975 according to this.

[Shifty]

Nope, dude on here, "Ilovethemini" sure that was his name had an '85ish Downton one.

Not sure but I seem to recall the conversion was something to do with MINISPEED?

I could be wrong though and will have a dig around

[62S]

A new Downton with no connection to the original company emerged in the 1990's. They did an improved model called the Club Sport that looked something like this



About 30 cars were built in total.

[Tim Edwards]

A new Downton with no connection to the original company emerged in the 1990's. They did an improved model called the Club Sport that looked something like this



About 30 cars were built in total.

How can I check what mine is ,does anyone have a register of Downton chassis numbers?
Iwish mine did look a bit like that!!

[Ouster]

One of those Club Sports just sold on Ebay.

[Tim Edwards]

couple of photos to show the Mini,anymore ideas anyone if there is a register of Downton chassis numbers?  IMG_0016.JPG   2.09MB   104 downloads[

[MiniKay]

Paul and Stuart Mickleborough owned the name for a while and did the Club Sports etc. They sold it a while back but the people who bought it don't seem to have done much with it other than sell some regalia etc. http://www.downton.com/

They also did conversions on customers own cars like John Cooper did, so you can't always tell by chassis number.

I have an Mpi with a Downton Touring Conversion on it.

I don't think you'll find that the new company have records of chassis numbers, in fact they were asking people to contact them to register their cars at one stage.

However if you want to check out a car to see if the engine conversion is genuine, you could always try contacting Bryan Slark of Slark Race Engineering. He did the heads for Downton (the recent company as well as the original one!) When our car was there for a rolling road day Bryan recognised the head and looked up the number in his little book and told us exactly when he had done it.

[DowntonMini]

I have a 1999 Downton Sport Touring 1 of 5 biult and my brother has a Downton Sport 40 again 1 of 5. Minikay is right no Downtons have been produced since late 1999 early 2000

The original company stopped trading in the mid 70's and the Mickleborough brothers brought the name for a rumoured £10 the last cars were offered for sale through All Electric Garages in Halesowen although a majority of the cars were sold by Downton themselves.

When I last spoke to the new owner they were looking for suitable premises to set up a base to do conversions etc. Bu I have no idea how far they have got with that plan.

When I first loked at buying a new classic mini I was looking at one of the last John Cooper Sport 5 but when I read about the Downton Sport Touring it was the same sort of money and a bit different in terms of not many being around.

It is very difficult to prove if your car is a Downton without paperwork and sadley not many have that now.

[rick.spi]

i like the discreet bonnet air vent

[Tim Edwards]

Just wanted to re air this topic to see if anyone has anymore info.Been using the Mini for regular transport and it now goes well with a 1293 with Weber 45 on it.Might sell it soon to move on to another project.