56 replies to this topic

[Lowestoftmodder]

Having been to 25+ runs I had to say I found this years the most boring..
nothing against anyone or anything in particular including it’s exemplary organisation.. it was just boring.
Row after row of “look there’s a green one with bolt on bits” “oh there’s a red one” and blue etc etc
The modified and unusual were all of the “usual items” I’ve seen for many years now.
I guess it’s fun for a newcomer of anyone who doesn’t remember just how entertaining it used to be?
Like I said this is not an attack but I’m sure I will be lol

Is the scene that stale now? Has the outspoken act of intolerance of others and their ideas and individuality finally killed the “fun” in the run?

I’ve seen some great minis at custom shows so I know they are still being built. I know the owners are having great times with their cars but when I ask why they don’t go to mini shows they tell me that the mini scene is toxic?
I don’t think that’s true to say it’s toxic.. what do you think?

I know it’s likely a contentious subject but just keep in mind this is for open opinions and truthful reflection.. not to attack each other please

[stuart bowes]

Never done l2b but I went to the brands hatch meet last year and while it was nice to get out and watch a few races I have to admit the 'show' part of it wasn't particularly interesting, it's definitely a case of 'seen one seen them all'

I can see the value of the 'authentic' build and that's fair enough but where's the sound system builds or the rows of engine swaps or the random jacked up monster trucks etc etc there used to be at least a handful of those sort of things knocking about.

Personal taste obviously comes into it but where did this sudden rush of everyone wanting bog standard historically correct minis come from and why is it so prevalent

Do other car scenes see the same thing these days (like fast Ford, nismo, etc) or is it a mini thing

Edited by stuart bowes, 04 June 2023 - 05:45 PM.

[sonscar]

I stopped going to MG shows when the owner of a cheque book restoration,he admitted that all he had done was pay for it,said whilst pointing at mine"it's not very good is it?".I do not know but I suspect that mini shows are similar.
Also there is a new breed that seem to delight in proclaiming"not legal!,ringer!etc"
This is just my experience,yours may differ.Steve..

[beardylondon]

I didn’t go this year, but I did go for a wonder round last year in the pouring rain and I agree to some extent.

My girlfriend and I have 4 classic minis between us, and so we have been there and done that with minis in the last 25 years.

I think perhaps it’s the fact Classic Minis are no longer cheap cars, and new owners buying in might be put off modifying to the hilt, as it would potentially affect the cars future value. Hence the majority are focused on preserving the originality of cars and the future value. Yes there will always be the modders, and there a place in all scenes for them, but alas I think the heyday is perhaps over.

[Spider]

Personally, I think for anyone who's never done one of these runs or been to one of the bigger shows, it's a must do.

But, for me personally, one or 2 is enough and if it's more than one, make it a good 4 or 5 years before going to the next, especially of it's the same location / run as previous times.

[Bungleaio]

I did it once in 2009 and that was enough for me. Chaotic and long queues to get out of Crystal Palace then a complete free for all with no organised route then very little parking in Brighton so we had to park a long way from where the show was. The show was some of the cars that we saw in London with a a couple of trade stands.

 

After having minis since 1998 I'm pretty much over mini shows, I'd rather go to multi marque events and look at vehicles from all manufacturers 

[stuart bowes]

I stopped going to MG shows when the owner of a cheque book restoration,he admitted that all he had done was pay for it,said whilst pointing at mine"it's not very good is it?".I do not know but I suspect that mini shows are similar.

 

Any old mug can just buy a car and ask someone else to fix it what's fun about that

 

seems strange to me that such a person would then take it to shows and masquerade as someone who has a personal interest in the actual workings of the thing

 

(with exceptions made for anyone who perhaps used to do it but is now too ill, or for some other reason had no choice, I suppose..)

 

I suppose in a way that's just me being snobby about it which is just as bad but in a different way lol everyone's got their views on 'the way things should be'

Edited by stuart bowes, 04 June 2023 - 08:16 PM.

[Midas Mk1]

I stopped going to MG shows when the owner of a cheque book restoration,he admitted that all he had done was pay for it,said whilst pointing at mine"it's not very good is it?".I do not know but I suspect that mini shows are similar.
Also there is a new breed that seem to delight in proclaiming"not legal!,ringer!etc"
This is just my experience,yours may differ.Steve..

I did my first show and shine 13 years ago (aged 17), having rebuilt mine with my Dad, every nut, bolt, paint etc.

Remember the mk1 next to me, speedwell blue, well known in the circles, kept on showing the big photo album of the resto to crowds, how much work it was, how much ‘effort’ it was . Thing is, somerford restore it on a cheque book build, they didn’t even do the oil themselves, - but as they paid for it they did it - as they kept telling people. I was baffled.

Completely get what you mean, and that was the tipping point for me, rather go on something like the Thistle Run and have a 650 mile
round trip than park up next to things like that.

[mab01uk]

These old photos below show what the variety of cars on display at Mini shows used to be like back in the day, long before 'high classic Mini values' made factory original Mini restorations the preferred choice by many Mini owners today.....however the quality levels and attention to detail of restored Minis at shows is much higher today as is the cost of buying a restoration project. Many of todays expensive ebay 'barn finds' would have gone straight to the scrapyard as totally uneconomic repair jobs.

 

'Custom' Mini's from the Mini 20th Birthday Extravaganza at Donnington 1979.
(All b&w Photos: Jon - Old Drag Racer)

Edited by mab01uk, 04 June 2023 - 10:41 PM.

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