Early adopter
The article on John Bolster’s Mini (C&SC, October) stirred enormous personal nostalgia. Like Bolster, I took delivery of a Clipper Blue Morris Mini-minor Deluxe in 1959. The only difference between the two cars seems to have been that I paid for mine (£555 plus a few shillings and pence, including delivery, numberplates and road fund). To me, by then with five years’ experience of both driving and riding, VTP 709 combined the precision and response of a good motorcycle with the comfort and convenience of a car. To this day, it amazes me that such a revolutionary concept was given the go-ahead by the BMC management.
In common with other early Mini-ists, I soon discovered the downside of the car’s inadequate pre-production testing and development. The slightest rain would soon affect the distributor, exposed immediately behind the grille. The aftermarket purchase of a spray shield (a small piece of bitumen-coated cardboard) solved this problem, years before it was fitted as standard; I was surprised to notice this essential item missing in the underbonnet photo of Bolster’s car. If the rain became more serious it came up through the floor or down around the scuttle. A glance at Issigonis’s well-publicised sketches reveals a number of details that would allow this to happen, and my car was frequently back at the supplying agent to have yet more bitumen squirted into the offending panel joints.
Another bone of contention was servicing. On each side of the car there were three points on the front suspension and one at the rear that required a shot of grease every 500 miles. And it was recommended that the engine/gearbox/final-drive oil be changed every 1000 miles. The most costly problem, however, was the front tyres. The original Dunlops would only last 8000 miles if the car was driven gently, so any fun was obtained at a hefty price! Fortunately, Michelin came to the rescue with its Radial Xs, which were good for at least 30,000 miles.
By the time it had done 35,000 miles the shock absorbers were no longer serviceable and I traded my Bolster-like Mini for an Austin Se7en, which in turn was replaced by a 998cc Mini Cooper. When I married we needed a second car so four elderly but usable Minis took it in turns to fill this role, the last one departing our ownership in 1987.
I keep thinking that I might try a BMW Mini now…
David R Woods
Via email