They said the Mini couldn't be improved. These coachbuilders begged to differ...
So many characters, including Enzo Ferrari, Peter Sellers and Steve McQueen owned a specially-tailored Mini. Yet the appeal of these cars has yet to wane. Gathered here are some of the best of a particularly British breed. Even if one of them is Italian.
But the sheer breadth of these conversions is a good reflection of the massive appeal the Mini had at the height of its powers, during the 1960s and '70s. As the standard car became too run of the mill for some owners, there were plenty of companies willing to accommodate their every whim and desire - at a price. If you fancied a slice of al fresco driving, the likes of Crayford could build you a very appealing convertible. If you craved big car creature comforts, Harold Radford or Wood & Pickett could equip your Mini with timber, leather and maybe even a record player. Then there were those firms where the standard outline wasn't sufficient and needed tinkering with. Often, the floorpan and running gear were all that was left of the donor Mini by the time they were finished.
Now, behold 10 of the best ones...
Mini ERA Turbo
In 1988, ERA set out to engineer a car to the highest automotive standards, and decided to use the Mini as a basis. Built with the intention of celebrating the car's 30th birthday, this was a money-no-object exercise in performance engineering. Despite that, it was designed to use as many tried and tested standard Rover components as possible. This would explain why under the ex-Mini City body beat the heart of an MG Metro engine, boosted by a Garrett T3 turbo. It developed a maximum power output of 64bhp at a giddying 6300rpm, and ERA claimed a 0-60mph time of 8.8 seconds, and a maximum speed of 110mph. This was pretty impressive stuff for a Mini, and thankfully its stiffened suspension and 13in wheels, shod with Goodyear NCTs was more than capable of harnessing it all. Price was also giddying at £12,000 - around twice the cost of the standard car.
Did you know? Dennis Adams, of Marcos and Probe Sports Car fame, designed the bodykit.
Minisprint Traveller
It's among the coolest-looking Minis ever, thanks to its low-line roof, combined with estate bodywork. Like its saloon cousin, it was the work of Neville Trickett and a degree of confusion has surrounded this car ever since it first broke cover in 1966. Until recently it was widely assumed that it was a one-off, built as an unofficial 'works truck'. However, photos exist which show MiniSprint Travellers with different registration numbers and slight detail alterations. Trickett himself recently confirmed that they were in fact the same car. However, the conversion was briefly offered for public consumption by Corsley Garage, with at least one ad appearing in print which trumpeted the Traveller as being 'the last word in customising for those who enjoy their driving.' Prices started at £750 and rumour has it that Steve McQueen had two, but it is now widely held that only one car was ever made.
Did you know? The prototype was recently discovered in Australia.
Radford Mini
Harold Radford introduced threee luxury Mini conversions in 1963. First of all there was the Grand Luxe which, as the name suggests, was laden to the gills with timber, leather and other niceties. It could have been yours for £1080 including the cost of the Cooper donor car. Then there was the Bel Air, which had only some of the toys, and the De Luxe which featured only cabin upgrades. There were a number of further iterations, not least the super-luxurious Mini de Ville GT (above), with a one-piece rear hatchback being available if you could afford it. This is perhaps the most desirable of all Mini conversions. Peter Sellers bought a Radford Mini for his latest for his latest wife, Britt Ekland, having already used a similar car with 'wicker effect' painted flanks in 'A Shot in the Dark.' The Radford name has since been revived, but there is no familial connection.
Did you know? Other celebrity owners included all four members of The Beatles, Mike Nesmith of The Monkees and actor James Garner.
Mini Gatto
The Gatto (Italian for 'Cat') was built for scooter magnate Vincenze Piatti. Based on a Mini Van floorpan and styled by future BMW head of design Ercole Spada, it was powered by a twin-carb Cooper motor. Though initially intended to be a one-off project, response to the car was such that a production run was mooted. Plans called for a new concern, Zagato London, to manufacture the car in the UK and the prototype was displayed at the 1962 Earls Court Motor Show. The Gatto was to have been made in limited numbers (no figure was ever released) for £1200, but there was one rather obvious barrier to success: BMC hadn't been consulted. When it was, the supply of parts wasn't forthcoming. The Gatto's styling, meanwhile was later reinterpreted for the Hillman Imp-based Zagato Zimp.
Did you know? The sole example made still exists and is currently being restored in Italy.
Broadspeed Mini GT
This Mini conversion was produced by garage owner turned race preparation guru, Ralph Broad. It was introduced in 1966, and the fastback conversion comprised glassfibre and steel. Despite tiny production numbers, five variations were offered. There was the 848cc entry level model, followed by the GT which was based on the 998cc Mini Cooper.
Next there was GTS, which was effectively the same as a GT save for a bespoke dash, extra gagues and moulded plastic bumpers and the GT SUper de Luxe (above) which featured all of the GTS' goodies plus uprated 1275cc power. This cost £1511 at a time when a regular Cooper cost £600. Finally, there was the GTS competition variant which, according to the brochure, was 'available to special order and selected clients only.' With its low-line rear end, you can be sure its maximum speed was off-the-scale.
Did you know? The GT was a casualty of Broadspeed having to move premises due to a compulsory purchase order.
Wood & Pickett Mini
Formed in 1947 by Bill Wood and Les Pickett, this London firm picked up from where Radford had left off as the leading 'boutique' Mini customiser. The 1970s was a boom period for the firm, with city dandies craving something more economical during those fuel-conscious days. For the Clubman-based Margrave, a cut-down Vauxhall VX4/90 grille and quad headlights was standard equipment. to this, chrome bull bars and panelled-over rear side windows were usually added, often with a padded roof and fake hood irons.
Did you know? WP offered trim and styling upgrades forthe Metro and the Montego in the 1980s.
Tickford Mini
There is a degree of speculation regarding who commissioned this carand if any replicas were made subsequently. What is know is that it was constructed in 1985 by Aston Martin subsidiary Tickford for £50,000. The most controversial element of its design was the stacked rectangular headlights. Well, that and the blanked off grille with its supplementary driving lights. Inside, it featured burr walnut dash and leather upholstery, There has been internet chatter which states that as many sa eight Tickfords were made, but evidence hasn't been forthcoming.
Did you know? Tickford customised all manner of vehicles during this period including a Triumph Stag, Mercedes-Benz SECs and a Carbodies taxi.
Ogle SX1000
Admittedly,this was perhaps a step beyond mere coachbuilding, but it did retain much of the Mini's structure. Introduced in December 1961, the SX1000 kept the donor car's fllorpan, inner wings and running gear, but the rest was largely bespoke. Customers were obliged to supply a new Mini along with a cheque for £550. In return, you received a glassfibre-bodied baby GT car. Options included a Cooper-spec 997cc A-series engine, which meant a top speed of 95mph. 69 cars were made through to late 1963, marque instigator David Ogle having been killed in the previous year after colliding with a lorry while en route to Brands Hatch aboard his Alexander-tuned SX1000. The car was revived by boat builder Norman Fletch but just four restled Fletcher GTs were made up until 1967, with one being campaigned by touring car star, John Handley. More recently, Nostalgia Cars has offered a replica with the Ogle family's blessing.
Did you know? Ogle also made a one-off Ford Cortina MkI-based coupe for Stirling Moss.
Euxton Caraboot
Of all the many weird and wacky Mini conversions ever offered, few can match the Caraboot for left-field thinking. Devised by Euxton Coach Craft Ltd of Lincolnshire, it combined a Mini, a camper and, get this, a boat. By means of a simple crank handle at the rear of the vehicle, the clamshell camper moved rearwards along grooves inset into some rather natty spats attached to the Minivan. At a stroke, your camper was now considerably longer than when you left home - about 15ft all in. There was allegedly enough room in the sleeping quarters to accommodate four in comfort. The roof of the converted van itself, could be unscrewed and used as a two-man row boat. How many were converted remains a mystery, but at least one still survives virtually intact in the UK.
Did you know? A film made by Pathe called The Caraboot is available on YouTube. It's a hoot...
Mini Wildgoose
OK, calling this camper conversion a coachbuilt Mini might be a bit of a stretch, but it certainly attracted plenty of press in the mid-1960s. Wildgoose (Worthing) Ltd of Sussex produced several iterations of Mini camper. For the princely sum of £998 in 1966, you too could have owned a Wildgoose Brent, which featured a 'Super VEN' (vertically extending body), operated by a push button sited on the dashboard. As standard, you received a table, wardrobe, bed, two-burner Elton hot plate and four seats in the 'dinette area.' According to the press bumf, with its odd grammar and random use of capitals, the Wildgoose was 'Especially designed for retired couples who, being freed from business, desire the carefree life. There is no more reasonable way of seeing the country or the Continent or the World in 'COMFORT' than by Wildgoose'. With a top speed of 50mph, we beg to differ.
Did you know? If your push-button vertically extending body failed, there was the peace of mind of an emergency winding handle too.