Classic oddity.....

[interloper]

Foraging through the British Rally forums I came across this and I thought I would share it!


This picture was grouped under a poster for the 1970 World Cup Rally. The car itself is clearly mini based, I'm trying to find out if this four door was a factory prototype or a home made rally special, I'm not having much luck so far!

Any thoughts or info on this ladies and gents? Also feel free to share any other oddities or mystery vehicles!

[jimbob82]

looks to me like a converted mini van with a standard mini back end though, lol

[Perd Hapley]

There was a four door prototype but it was a bit neater than that.

[droopsnoot]

I just keep seeing it listed as "Austin Mini Cooper Four Door" (here: http://wcr40.org.uk/the-london-mexico-world-cup-ra... and http://motorcanalsbalil.no-ip.info/displayimage.ph...

There's a book by Graham Robson that talks in some detail about the cars, but the preview on Google books has pages missing and I couldn't see it covered. It does talk about the BL works entries and doesn't mention the car, so presumably a private entry by Conroy Motors.

[oliverb205]

At least 40+ years ago they got the door on the right side, unlike BMW!

Oliver.

[restoman]

My little book of the Daily Mirror World Cup Rally simply describes it on the entry list as an Austin Mini Cooper S 1275cc . . .



It was actually a Four Door entered by Conroy Motors and driven by Allan Keefe & James Conroy

Edited by restoman on Friday 19th April 23:18

Edited by restoman on Friday 19th April 23:19

[quiraing]

I remember reading about this car in the early 80s - it was a brand new van shell converted to 4-doors (obviously!!!) with std rear panelwork instead of the twin van doors. Have a few pics somewhere in old Mini books, probably more info, will have a look to see what I still have

Edit - the excellent post above has got my memory cells in what's left of my brain starting to move - Conroy Motors sounds familiar.

Edited by quiraing on Saturday 20th April 18:04

[S0 What]

IIRC it was to aid access to spares during the race, just a race mod not a prototype as such ?

seems later cars in 4 door were made though ?
http://s101.photobucket.com/user/sheddy-1/library/...

Edited by S0 What on Saturday 20th April 22:24

[MarkwG]

I quite like that, much neater than the German truck version!

[restoman]

No connection to the World Cup Rally car, but this 4 door Mini appeared on ebay a month or so ago:


Also, see here:
http://www.stretchmini.com/