22 replies to this topic

[limby2000]

After spotting an artical on my local facebook posting regarding classic cars amongst thousands left rotting on a disused runway in Bedford, it mentions they were all part of the government,s 2000 pound trade-in scrapping scheme. They can't be put back on the road as there no longer on the dvla database, and the can't be sold for spare,s as were the rules. So who now owns them?, does anyone know about this story?. The runway is at Thurleigh aerodrome, and from the limited photo,s I've seen, there,s about 30 classic mini,s there,as well as many historic cars.
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[jamesmpi]

Wow what a sad sight

[THE ANORAK]

wow, what a shame

[mab01uk]

Some more photos of some of the scrappage Mini's awaiting their fate at the airfield in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire:

 

 

 

 

702 Mini's were scrapped by their owners under the scheme including several limited/special editions.

Further breakdown of the Mini Limited and Special Editions that went to the scrappers in the sky
(or more exactly a large runway in Bedfordshire) - (number produced)

MINI SIDEWALK 13 (1000)
Mini 35 9 (1000)
Mini 25 6 (3500)
MINI RACING FLAME 6 (1000)
Mini British Open 6 (1000)
Mini Neon 6 (1500)
Mini Rio 6 (3500)
Mini 30 5 (3000)
MINI EQUINOX 5 (750)
mini designer 4 (2000)
Mini Sky Rose 3 (500)
MINI ITALIAN JOB 3 (1000)
MINI CHELSEA 2 (1500)
MINI JET BLACK 2 (3000)
MINI ADVANTAGE 1 (4765)
Mini RITZ 1 (2000)

 

Triumph 2000 behind the Mini's in this shot

Edited by mab01uk, 21 March 2016 - 07:46 PM.

[Bungleaio]

As the owner of a red italian job it makes me extra sad to see that. 

 

These all had a valid MOT at the time of scrapping too 

[New game mini]

Saw this on Facebook too. There has been a petition started which is currently collecting signatures in a hope to save some of them or at least use them for parts but many think it will fall on deaf ears unfortunately.

https://www.change.o...crappage-scheme

Edited by New game mini, 21 March 2016 - 08:02 PM.

[David128]

Absolutely scandalous .What a waste these should be viewed as potential revenue and help keep other cherished cars on the road

[CityEPete]

Total waste, the dealers would have knocked the 2k off anyway at the time so even if they were only worth say £1000 each the owners were actually 3k down, factor in an MOTd mini is now £1800 minimum on ebay and they wasted far more.

[Cooperman]

It was a good idea for the government. They paid out £2000 but got back the VAT on a new car.
All the Minis were worth at least £1500 and they could have got around 10% off the list price of a new car with no part-ex.
Only the tax man gained from this.
That is the taxpayers

[David128]

Why weren't they scrapped? What's to gain by having them sat there rotting?  If they totally fall to bits there who's going to pick up the bill to clean the land. Acids oils and so on!!!

[limby2000]

The Sceptic in me say,s there,s a reason there all stacked in order ie; mini,s ,golfs ,bettles , bmw,s ,ect,ect and there,s a reason they aint been crushed yet. Funny I did,nt see any mondeo,s , cavalier,s or average fleet car,s. Perhap,s someone has plans for them?.

[mab01uk]

You may remember BMW stepped in (after protests from classic Mini enthusiasts) and told a Scottish MINI Dealer to remove a Mini Cooper Sportpack from on display as being traded in for £2000 scrappage against a New MINI.
This was the apology later issued:-
"Douglas Park MINI of Hamilton did not intend to cause any offence by using a classic Mini to advertise the scrappage scheme in its dealer forecourt. BMW dealers in the area are using older BMW models in a similar manner and several other manufacturers have also adopted this approach. However, it is fully accepted that using a classic Mini in this way may have been interpreted as insensitive. This has been recognised and the car has now been removed."

Top Ten most "popular" cars scrapped were

1. FORD  Fiesta                   20763
2. NISSAN  Micra                 12698
3. VAUXHALL Corsa              12064
4. FORD  Escort                  10987
5. VOLKSWAGEN POLO           9629
6. VAUXHALL Astra                8066
7. RENAULT  Clio                   7606
8. FORD  Mondeo                  7067
9. VOLKSWAGEN Golf             6695
10. PEUGEOT 106                  5939

 

Full listings of all the cars scrapped here:-

https://www.gov.uk/g...-scheme-in-2009

 

I think there may be a diesel car scrappage scheme in the not top distant future........

Edited by mab01uk, 21 March 2016 - 10:57 PM.

[mk3 Cooper S]

Looks like some of them have been raped for their wheels already.

Sad as it is anything other than crushing them now will no doubt mean underhand and opportunistic gain.

It is strange why they are still about though for sure = especially as they have been sorted into makes etc?

[mab01uk]

More photos from the start of the scheme.....not sure if all these are still there?

 

 

 

The Top Gear 20 saddest scrappage scheme victims:-

http://www.topgear.c...-scheme-victims

Edited by mab01uk, 21 March 2016 - 11:24 PM.

[Itsaminithing]

This is just so utterly wrong! ....Everyday hacks OK, but not classic cars.

Anyone thought of contacting Prince Charles, the Royal family had their fair share of Minis & this is the motoring equivalent of pulling down St Pauls Cathedral to build one of those nice new glass monoliths that are all the rage in London now.