65 replies to this topic

[A-Cell]

Would the 911 be the one that took over 50 years to move away from air cooled to water cooled, enabling heat to be available for passenger comfort. LOL
Mini was so so revolutionary, it went into production with innovations that were 40 years ahead of its time. I know because Issigonis said so!
Wonder what cars introduced today will a) be as iconic as Mini in 50 years and b) have so many Forums dedicated to it?

[A-Cell]

Also 621 AOK isn't as original as you'd think. I'm sure I've seen pictures of it having been fitted with spotlamps and I'm sure I heard from somewhere it's even had a new roof at some stage.

In 1969 I changed the rear subframe on it as the original one was well rotted. I just fitted a complete assembly. (I was an Austin Apprentice) and I did it in the rectification area at the end of CAB1 using the current parts from the stores. Complete rear assembly. The old parts were scrapped

I am willing to bet that other parts were changed before this and many others since.

Just like any othe classic car, like Triggers broom! LOL

[hunterg30]

621 aok is not original,here it is with a full sun roof

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•  _wsb_523x370_621.jpg   59.47K   38 downloads

[mab01uk]

I believe BMC had to buy 621 AOK back from the original owner........when they sold the first Mini they did not know how important it was going to be to keep it, so was used on the road and modified with sunroof, etc then restored by BMC with a new roof panel around 1965 I think for the 1 million Mini celebration?

Edited by mab01uk, 30 January 2013 - 09:20 PM.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

I believe BMC had to buy 621 AOK back from the original owner........when they sold the first Mini they did not know how important it was going to be to keep it, so was used on the road and modified with sunroof, etc then restored by BMC with a new roof panel around 1965 I think?

That's unreal, I never knew that. Does anybody have any more information on this story?

I looked at pictures of AOK since I was about 12, and fell in love with that car. When I finally saw it at the IMM in 2009 I was suprised at it's mileage, and its general tattyness in some areas. This explains it, brilliant

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 30 January 2013 - 09:20 PM.

[huntface]

Auxiliary locks. Mirrors and an aerial too.

[Noah]

Its had a full re-build before I think.....

[Black.Ghost]

That is a pretty cool little history for 621. Its definitely better this way than simply rolling out of the factory and straight into the museum!

[hunterg30]

i wonder what happened to this 57 proto

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•  mini 57.jpg   9.85K   7 downloads

[MaxAndPaddy]

i wonder what happened to this 57 proto

Bad grill bad bad bad...... basket!

Got confused with grills and the dog then

[mab01uk]

Photo and caption below from Page 39 of Jon Pressnell's book 'Mini The Definitive History'
"Donald Harrison, then Nuffield's (Morris) Sales Director, contemplates 621 AOK in the state in which it was bought back by BMC. Note the sunroof and the rubber overiders."

[mab01uk]

i wonder what happened to this 57 proto

A few years back I asked the Mini Draughtsman Jack Daniels that question at a Gaydon Mini Show............he was convinced they were all scrapped like most of the early BMC prototypes. At the time no one ever thought they were worth keeping purely for historic reasons. Often you don't realise what things will be valued in the future which is also why 621 AOK did not go straight into a museum but was sold and bought back by BMC several years later.
Jack Daniels: http://www.telegraph...ck-Daniels.html

(The A30/35 Grille was a disguise as much of the testing was done on public roads at night).

Edited by mab01uk, 30 January 2013 - 11:27 PM.

[minimarco]

^
That bumper was actually rusting during development?

A sign of things to come....

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

I think it's made of wood

[minimarco]

Oh I didn't know wood can rust =P