9 replies to this topic

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

As we all know the 2 prototype Minis were dressed to resemble the A35 to a degree for testing purposes. Thing is, does anyone know what became of them? I`ve wondered about this for years and even contemplated making one albeit without the "reversed" engine. Over to you 

[Tupers]

I'd imagine they were scrapped/ 

[mab01uk]

I asked the late Jack Daniels (Issigonis Chief Draughtsman) what had happened to them a few years back at a Gaydon Mini event. He was pretty sure BMC scrapped them both in the early 60's along with the XC9003 wooden mock-ups.
I'm also suprised no one has yet built a replica "Orange Box".........although reproducing the engine turned through 180 degrees would be a major challenge!

Most of the testing of these cars took place at Chalgrove airfield, quite close to the Cowley Plant in Oxford. Prior to this, Jack Daniels himself commuted daily in an experimental split screen Morris Minor with front wheel drive. Apparently most prototype cars were scrapped (often under supervision from the revenue) and were never registered for the road. The supposed reason for this was that a car became taxable (for purchase tax) at registration so much testing was done on trade plates or on airfields to avoid this extra cost. The few prototypes that did 'escape' largely did so via the 'back door' to a department manager or similar.

Some were also said to be stored in the tunnels under Longbridge for many years but sadly a fire down there in the later years is thought to have destroyed several of the early cars which would have been of much historic interest today.

 

Early photo from the book MINI - The True and Secret History of the Making of a Motor Car by Simon Garfield.

 

More details and photos here:-

http://www.theminifo...1958/?p=3201383

Edited by mab01uk, 26 August 2015 - 10:47 PM.

[nicklouse]

As we all know the 2 prototype Minis were dressed to resemble the A35 to a degree for testing purposes. Thing is, does anyone know what became of them? I`ve wondered about this for years and even contemplated making one albeit without the "reversed" engine. Over to you 

And why?
Body very different etc.

Or are you talking about making something that looks like?

Again Why?

[mab01uk]

Several excellent replicas of Works Rally Mini's have been created as well as '60's racers like the yellow 'Britax' Mini and the three Italian Job Mini's.

As said the prototype 'Orange Box' body differences would be difficult to reproduce but not impossible for a lookalike. I know some members of the '59 Mini Register have seriously considered this as a project so maybe one day..........

[peter-b]

Sounds like a great idea to me, sort of an orange box tribute.

[hazpalmer14]

I was at a car show, and I see a Morris minor with a transverse mounted automatic mini engine in it

[unipart]

Did the Orange Box really exist? It seems the second prototype was painted in red.

 

Michel

[A-Cell]

Yes!

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

 

As we all know the 2 prototype Minis were dressed to resemble the A35 to a degree for testing purposes. Thing is, does anyone know what became of them? I`ve wondered about this for years and even contemplated making one albeit without the "reversed" engine. Over to you 

And why?
Body very different etc.

Or are you talking about making something that looks like?

Again Why?

 

WHY NOT?