Works Mini Support Vehicles ???

[restoman]

I'm trying to find info on any Works Team Support Vehicles used to service and back up the Works Minis on the Monte Carlo Rallies in the mid 1960s. Anyone have any idea what was used? Pics would be great!

Thanks.

Have a pic of the 1967 winner

[john2443]

From BMC Competitions Dept Secrets book.

1964 RAC rally - Princess 4 litre R.

1964 Liege - 6/110, Traveller (I assume Morris 1000), A110, MG1100

1966 Monte - A110

That's all I spotted when flicking through, there might be more in the text, I'll have a look later.

John

Edited by john2443 on Monday 8th February 17:53

[restoman]

Excellent - much appreciated.

[neutral 3]

Hi, I did a lot of reasearch into the Austin Gipsy 4X4 some years ago , with a view to writeing a book about these very underated vehicles, of which only just over 22,000 were built , particularly the MK4 Leaf Spring Models ( 62-68). This version was superior to its competion in many ways, particularly its Engine G.Box , Chassis and off road performance . Much of what has been written about the Gipsy is incorrect and most of it complete and utter tosh . The Gipsy was produced from 1958-68 . Ime sure i remember seeing a photo of a Works ? Mini being towed out of some rough ground by a 62-68 model Gipsy ( think it was a short wheelbase version) that was used by the BMC Factory . I beleive that it was taken in Britain .

However the Gipsy sold very well in Switzerland and Austria ,with some also going to France and Italy . BMC were very keen to promote the Gipsy in any way they could and its very likely that they would have supplied a Works Gipsy to support the Works Mini Rally team , particularly if a rally was takeing place in poor weather conditions and where a 4x4 would be essential.
The only person i know of who could confirm this would be the Late Lamented Dudley White ,he was reckoned to be the finest Off Road driver of his generation , he pulled many amazeing stunts in the Gipsy , includeing in 1964 or 65 driveing up the shear face of the Avon Gorge and then doing several circles at the top ! The competition were unable to match this ! Dudley travelled all over the World for BMC selling and promoteing the Gipsy but He sadly passed away in 1992 . Another Gips factory man was Len Ainsley who was the factory Head Engineer ( Comercial vehicles) he worked with Freddie Dixon of Brooklands fame before the war , but sadly he also passed away some years ago .

Hope this is of some use and for further info check out my friends Glen Kemp Austin Gipsy Site and also Mike Gilberts Gipsy Register site .

[heebeegeetee]

john2443 said:

From BMC Competitions Dept Secrets book.

1964 RAC rally - Princess 4 litre R.

1964 Liege - 6/110, Traveller (I assume Morris 1000), A110, MG1100

1966 Monte - A110

That's all I spotted when flicking through, there might be more in the text, I'll have a look later.

John

Edited by john2443 on Monday 8th February 17:53

That's the book you need. A superb read about a superb chapter in a fantastic era.

Also is 'The BMC/BL Competitions Department' by Bill Price, a former comps dept man and still involved with the HRCR and the historic rally scene. Him and Brian Moylan still mechanic on big classic rally events.

Brian also has a book published, 'Works Rally Mechanic'.

That BMC comps shop was the best in the world, during the 50's and 60's.

[heebeegeetee]

The bible.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMC-BL-COMPETITIONS-DEPT-Bil...

The books mentioned also have lots of juicy info about the various routes used for the mountain circuits on The Monte over the years.

[mrchrisdavies]

Hi, just came across this thread. I was told this was the BMC A110 Service vehicle used in 1965 and 1966

[mrchrisdavies]

Here it is on a service stop at Monte Carlo



taken from here: http://www.smithmaps.fsnet.co.uk/montetext.htm

[restoman]

Thanks for the pictures though I'm certain that is not the same car in both.

[mrchrisdavies]

yeh you're right. the unipart vehicle was for the 70's team, sorry. I'd love to see pics of all the mini support vehicle

well due to another thread, I did however come across where the BMC Unipart Westminster ended up...






The rare Countryman pictured with the mini probably had a similar fate

Edited by mrchrisdavies on Saturday 25th June 21:27

[mark387mw]

^^^^^^ makes you want to cry.

[restoman]

Bl***y Banger Boys

[TonyBrooks]

Try contacting Bill Price via the HRCR web site. His background is all works Abingdon and just 3 weeks ago he did a superb talk on his time at Abingdon with many unpublished photos. He undertook many servicing responsibilities all over the world for the factory.

[guru_1071]

there was one of those countymans on ebay about three months ago.

it was very very ripe, but still sold for fairly good money

in fact, here it is...


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...