" FOR AS LONG as I can remember, I have always been a fan of the Beardmore brothers and their innovative work on modified Morris Minors, so I do feel quite privileged to be featuring their latest creation right here in Minor Monthly. Robin’s modified pickup was featured in a very early issue of this magazine so it’s great to see him back with his Mazda MX5 – Minor hybrid. To find out more flick through to page 28 and then check out their website where the saga continues! There’s been a lot of talk recently on various internet forums on how we can encourage more younger people to get involved in the Minor scene and projects such as Robin’s and the Zetec powered Minor we featured a few months back will no-doubt go a long way to showing the youngsters that the Minor isn’t just a car for retired folk, its something people of all ages and all backgrounds can enjoy. Our cover car is yet another example, and whilst not being as radical as the previous two mentioned it does stand out from the crowd and with the simple modifications that have been made it is more than happy to mix with more modern cars on the road. There will always be those that turn their noses up at modified and custom Minors but I think we all need to realise that to ensure that we see them on our roads for the next 60-years then changes have to be made, otherwise they will be confined to the museum, and that’s something that I’m sure none of us want to see. The Minor was built to be driven, and driven it should be! "

Jon Betts - Minor Monthly Editor

Table of Contents

Regulars

5 Staff List & Ed Speak

6 News and Products

10 Your Views

28 Under Construction The latest creation from Robin Beardmore, a Mazda MX5 – Minor hybrid.

39 Once Loved More abandoned Minors

42 What’s on Want to know where to go this summer?

46 And Finally Mission Impossible

Features

12 Birthday Surprise. Whilst some of us have to make do with new socks on our birthdays, others get far more elaborate presents as Mike Foster explains.

16 Brooklands Austin & Morris Day. All the action from this years event.

24 Classic Motoring, what’s the deal

26 25th Birthday Celebrations of the Geelong Morris Minor Club

30 American Graffiti. Possibly one of the most famous car movies of all time, American Graffiti has been the influence for many bright yellow hot rods, including this 2-door Minor.

36 Rear Axle Oil Seal replacement and axle casing repair on the Minor by Daniel Stapleton.