Evolution of the Dashboard

The backward-looking folks over at the How to Be a Retronaut blog posted a gem from the UK's DRIVE magazine from1970 dealing with the evolution of dashboards. The post includes full page scans from the magazine so you can read the story as well as take in the images.

This is blog post number 400. Thanks for staying with me!

I Think I've Seen This Before...

New MINI Coupe

The folks behind the wildly successful MINI revival just can't get it wrong, it would seem. Every variation of the new MINI model has been well received by the public with dealers not able to keep up with the demand for the new wagons, SUVs and now the MINI Coupe.This taut little two seater features a lower roofline and an opening boot. While to some eyes it is groundbreaking design, I can see where the inspiration came from: the Broadspeed GT. 

Broadspeed was originally set up to provide hotted-up engines for racing with special expertise in Ford Anglia powerplants as well as BMC A-series engines. The firm also fielded racing teams in the 1960s where they campaigned their own Anglias and Mini-Coopers with some success. 

Broadspeed GT

In 1966, firm owner Ralph Broad developed the Broadspeed GT - a Mini-Cooper S with lower roofline and opening boot. The GT retained the four seat layout of the Mini-Cooper on which it was based, but added numerous interior luxuries like an upscale dashboard with improved instrumentation, leather seating and aftermarket steering wheel . Broadspeed was actually the manufacturer of record as the cars were badged Broadspeed and not Austin or Morris.   

I've noted in these humble scribblings that MINI is reaching way back in the history cupboard for new model ideas. Now, how about a new MINI Moke?

Jamaican Vibes - Sounds Good to Me

The most famous Jamaican - Bob Marley

SABCC made a return trip to the popular Jamaican Vibes restaurant in Mobile on Saturday, September 17th. The club was warmly greeted by the proprietors, Noel and Mona.

Regulars of the place quickly ordered their favorites from the extensive menu of authentic Jamaican cuisine with brown stew chicken quickly selling out. Newcomers were a little more cautious and Noel ("Tips" to his friends) offered small tasters to help with the decision process. While I enjoyed my brown stew chicken, my long suffering wife threw caution to the wind and ordered up a plate of jerk shrimp. 

Bring on the chow!

Members passed samples of their dishes around the table to share the experience of something exotic - for our part of the world, anyway. It was hard to not tap your feet or nod your head in time with the reggae tunes playing in the background while we scarfed down delicacies like curry goat, jerk chicken and salt fish and ackee. Noel and Mona made sure that everyone was well fed and treated like family while we were there.  

We enjoyed the dishes so much that we ordered up a couple of trays of jerk chicken wings for the SABCC British Car Festival Friday night welcome party. Wanna try some? See you at the party! 

Quite a Paperweight

Photo courtesy MG Car Club - Midget Registry

This unfortunate MG Midget gave its all in the name of safety. This is a 1979 model that was used in the Abingdon factory's crash test program. Note that it was subjected to what appears to be rather high-speed impacts both front and rear. 

The crash test rig at the MG factory was one of the most advanced in the British Leyland organization. Test cars were pulled along the track by a Jaguar 6 cylinder engine until the vehicle reached the desired speed. At the end of the track was a concrete block covered in plate steel.

The results aren't pretty.

British Car Festival Preview

Photo courtesy David Turnipseed

This is the "official" photo promoting the 2011 edition of British Car Festival. The young ladies are members of the Baldwin County, Alabama Dogwood Trail Maids and the lovely Jaguar E-Type OTS belongs to SABCC members Jack and Linda Ross. 

Mark October 22 on your calendar and join South Alabama British Car Club for the 21st Annual British Car Festival.

A Day with Mini

I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's been a while since I've had the faithful Mini on the road for an extended run. That drought was snapped when I signed up for a run with the nice folks of Panhandle Minis. The contingent was coming over from Pensacola today to visit the USS Alabama in observance of the 9/11 anniversary and decided to meet at the Spanish Fort Cracker Barrel restaurant, just a few short miles from my house.  

A few of the MINIs at Battleship Park

I got the little car started and it was not at all happy, wanting to buck and snort more than usual while it warmed up. I got it out on the road and gave it an "Italian tune-up" and within a few miles, it was its usual docile self. I pulled into the Cracker Barrel parking lot - the first to show up, natch - and waited on the MINI group to arrive. And show up they did. About a dozen MINIs made the journey and soon our little corner was filled with bulldog goodness.

About 25 hungry MINI owners made their way into the breakfast emporium and I was pleased to see SABCC's Richard Cunningham had dropped in to have a bite and hang out with the group before he attended to some business in Mobile. We chatted with Justin Octavi and John Genduso, of British Car Festival sponsor MINI of Penscola during breakfast and heard about all the new stuff that is coming from MINI.


We plowed through breakfast and saddled up for a drive up Alabama Highway 181 to Bromley Road where we were treated to some excellent twisty bits and interesting elevation changes. During the drive, I discovered that I had been more concerned about my personal fuel level than the amount of fuel in the Mini's tank. Yep, she was dead on "E" and we had about 15 miles to go before I could get to a gas station. I think the car ran on willpower as it never hiccuped once and got me back to Spanish Fort where I peeled off from the group and dropped a quick $10.00 in the tank.

Can you fit a classic Mini in a C47?

I zipped back out on the Causeway and caught up to the group as they were paying their parking fee at the Battleship. As I drove to the parking lot they proudly showed me the special reserved spot they had for me at the end of the row. Thanks, guys!

Once on the battle wagon, we broke into small groups to follow the self-guided tour route. I spent about an hour on the vessel and then dropped into the aircraft pavilion for a quick visit before I started for home.

The drive back across the Causeway was pleasant and the little car seemed to enjoy the day as much as I did.  

Still Another Golden Anniversary

Unless you've been living under a rock (and being the height of hurricane season along the US Gulf Coast, it doesn't sound like a bad idea) you'll know that 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the iconic Jaguar E-Type. It is also the 50th anniversary of the revival of the midget name by MG.

Click the image for a larger version

Followers of all things Triumph will point out that this year is also the 50th anniversary of the launch of the venerable TR4 sports car. Like the soon-to-come MGB, the new Triumph TR4 brought such niceties as roll up windows, high sided doors and face level ventilation. And when compared to its TR3 predecessor, the TR4's boot was absolutely cavernous. Essentially, the TR4 was the TR3 chassis with a new body styled by the Italian design house Michelotti.

The TR4 soldiered on with the same basic engine as the TR2 and TR3, however a displacement increase from 1991cc to 2138cc along with some improvements to the intake manifold and cylinder head made for more urge when the loud pedal was pressed. Getting the power to the road was made easier with a new, fully synchronized four speed gearbox. Of course, a Laycock overdrive (operating on second, third and top) could be specified.      

In 1965, the TR4A was introduced which brought with it independent rear suspension and some minor trim changes. Curiously, a number of TR4As were not fitted with the new rear suspension, an effort by the factory to offer a less expensive version. TR4As with independent rear suspension carry discreet "IRS" badges on the boot lid. 

The TR4 remained in production until 1967 when it was superseded by the TR5 (TR250 in the USA). 

Happy birthday, bruiser!

MINI 2 Million

David Cameron in MINI 2 Million

The two-millionth MINI produced at the BMW Plant Oxford (that would be the Morris Cowley Plant to many of us) rolled off the line yesterday driven by Prime Minister David Cameron for the press.This event occurred near the tenth anniversary of modern MINI production.

Mini 2 Million. Issigonis must have an appointment

Interestingly, the two-millionth classic Mini was produced in 1969, also ten years into its long life. The classic, however, was essentially the same car over this period while the modern is nearing its third redesign. 

Just sayin'.