Friday 30th July 2010

Pic Of The Week: A Rally Good Mini

A POTW for Mini fans, Rally fans, or just those who like black and white photos...

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Today's POTW was a bit of a no-brainer. In a week where Mini officially announced its return to rallying, a BMC-based nostalgia trip was all but inevitable.

The news that Mini was coming back with a Prodrive-run WRC team had us immediately all rheumy-eyed for the halcyon days of the 1960s, when the plucky Mini took on the likes of Lancia, Porsche and V8 Fords - and won.

This shot is taken from the 1968 Monte Carlo rally, where Rauno Aaltonen and Henry Liddon took third place behind two Porsche 911s. We particularly like the flanges (for want of a better word) on the front wings of the car, even though we have no idea what they are. We think they're probably snow guards off some sort, but they almost look like a rudimentary aerodynamic aid...

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[randombloke]

Firstly, that is a cool pick, and lets hope the new mini will have as much success as the old one.

Secondly, the "flanges" are a form of splash guard, they are to stop water or slush being thrown up in front of the car and hampering visibility.

[mybrainhurts]

Service crews used to roll that onto its side to work on the underside.

Not a lot of people might know that...

Makes me feel old...bugger it

[uremaw]

Greatest.
Car.
Ever.

[Oddball RS]

mybrainhurts said:

Service crews used to roll that onto its side to work on the underside.

Not a lot of people might know that...

Makes me feel old...bugger it

Yes onto old tyres, best access to underneath!!!!!

[Riggers]

olly22n said:

I know, I know - my excuse? Editor Chris-R has the hi-res images and he's on hols this week. We haven't forgotten you...

[FWDRacer]

uremaw said:

Greatest.
Car.
Ever.

[Flat6]

Great car. Great pic.

The new abomination can only be welcomed as a much needed new manufacturer in WRC.

MINI it most definately is not. "Maxi"? Maybe..

[Eviltad]

Annoying, need to choose between the Porsche 908 from a few weeks ago and this now.

I think I may have a preference for the retro POTW's.

[Mini1275]

Best POTW for a while .

Edited by Mini1275 on Friday 30th July 12:44

[Whiters]

Flat6 said:

Great car. Great pic.

The new abomination can only be welcomed as a much needed new manufacturer in WRC.

MINI it most definately is not. "Maxi"? Maybe..

Got me thinking in a quiet, bored, Friday kind of way...

1969 Austin Maxi - Length(mm)4013 Width(mm)1626 Height(mm)1384 Kerb weight(kg)979

2010 Mini Countryman - Length(mm)4097 Width(mm)1789 Height(mm)1561 Kerb weight(kg)1335



Obviously cars have changed greatly over time, but the shocker there is the kerbweight of a mid-size family saloon in '69!

I have my coat...

[coopersworks]

Best car in world ever, by a country mile. Love the pic.

[NWVT]

I love that shot its epic

but really needs at least two wheels off the ground lol

[CooperD]

Mini1275 said:

Best POTW for a while .

Edited by Mini1275 on Friday 30th July 12:44

+ 1

[robg2]

NWVT said:

I love that shot its epic

but really needs at least two wheels off the ground lol

I'm not really impressed by that...

[robg2]

...this is a much better effort!

[mybrainhurts]

Essence of Abingdon Mini...




And some more...

[soad]

Black & White one - looks damn good!

[SleeperCell]

Whiters said:

Obviously cars have changed greatly over time, but the shocker there is the kerbweight of a mid-size family saloon in '69!

As someone who once owned a Mk2 Cortina, which is a similar age and kerb weight (supposedly 908kg and that was for the well equipped GT, lesser specs are well under 900kg) and it's not hard to see why old cars dont weigh much, there is virtually nothing in them. Sound deadening was pretty much non-existant, hardly any wiring, very, very basic trim, no centre console (only on some models), the door trims only cover about 2/3rds the door, basic leaf sprung rear suspension and live axle which are much lighter than IRS. I ripped out the horrible standard seats and they were very, very light although also offered zero support and weren't comfortable (basically wire springs covered with a thin layer of foam and vinyl). I replaced them with seats from an Escort RS2000 that were much nicer but also much, much heavier.

[Jont999]

The early minis weighed just above 600kg, with a tuned engine these little ones could shift

[VEA]

New background on my Blackberry!

Awesome pic!