Looking for Will Sparrow's Mini WNX 700H

[PeteC]

I've now sent a copy of the MN article to those who contacted me, but that doesn't mean the book is closed. Please PM me with your email address if you would like copy sent directly to you.
I have also sent to the MCR Magazine Editor to see if it can be published in the mag at some time.

Pete

[medwaybeat]

Pete, Thank you for sending the article. Top stuff!

[WNX 700H]

Pete,

Excellent info , many thanks

David

[nevsmini]

Was talking to a man today that knew the car and history when in Ireland see PM

[Itsarek]

Pictures of WNX in this book on the net

[WNX 700H]

V5 is now sorted , here are some photos of the car as I found it.

[PeteC]

Originally Posted by Itsarek

Pictures of WNX in this book on the net

I've checked in the book, and the number plate is much clearer than in the on line sample. The picture is of VNX 700H, Will's international Group 2 car, and in Nigel Raeburn's note above, they won their class and were 11th overall. A good result in what by then was the twilight years of the Mini on internationals.

Incidentally, also in the same book (RAC Rally Action!)is a picture of the Terry Kaby/Bob Freeborough Cooper S BOO 911F, which is claimed to be ex works GRX 5D. Does this give more evidence of more than two GRX 5D cars in existance? Also I thought it was always true that a personal plate (which BOO was, and appeared on many different cars) could not be used if it was of a year which was later than the veicle age?

Perhaps a new thread to explore this one more!

Pete

[PeteC]

Originally Posted by WNX 700H

V5 is now sorted , here are some photos of the car as I found it.

The dash looks remarkably unchanged from the period picture in the article I sent, which must be a big bonus! It seems to have grown some sort of strange scoop on the bonnet, but that shouldn't be a huge problem. Judging by the ride height there is no engine/box in the car. Did any of the mechanicals survive?
Pete

[WNX 700H]

Yes the car is pretty much untouched, even the original Halda is still present, engine is missing at the moment but original box is with the car , easily identified as it had some specific mods to the drop gears.

The engine was available with the car when it was sold in 1978 by a guy in the North East ( Seaham area I think ), the guy who I bought the car from though did not have the funds to stretch to the engine but did buy the box.

Anyone have any leads on who sold the car in 1978 in the North East are welcome as this guy had the original engine for it.

Owners were as follows

Will Sparrow / John Bridges ( Ireland ) / Phil Toovey ( Midlands ) ..... then was sold by Graham Lepley cars then the guy in the North East / John Innes ( Scotland ) then me.

Any leads on the whereabouts of the engine are welcome .... but a long shot after all this time I know.


Will has offered to assist in the restoration.

David

[JC T ONE]

Good work, very interesting thread to watch SUPER cool "as found" pictures.
Now for one of the "hard" questions--are you going to keep the roof, and have it recovered with Black Flock? or and what about the GT front end
you have some HARD decisions to make or maybe not?

Jens Christian