An interesting Mini! check this out.

[timc]

This is a mini is cool... At least i think so.

http://www.auto-bmc.com/cata1/product_info.php?products_id=1679&osCsid=8e6373onnd4n9dg6tqrukd79h7

[Dixminion]

An original design idea well executed. I'll give it a thumbs up! Don't miss the supercharger. Don

[skip]

I am surprised that Chuck hasn't already brought up that Ringo Star of Beatles fame had a hatchback Mini so that he could haul around his drum set. I have a book with it in it, the back lifts up hatchback style. Cool idea. Yes the supercharger is a bonus!!

[Guest]

Thats pretty cool. I like how its like a LWB and a saloon in one. Mark and I were just talking the other day about how heavy rear control arms are and how it cool it would be to lose some weight. Those look light!

Chase

[timc]

http://h.twine.tripod.com/minipics/id31.html

here's a photo of ringo's mini.

[Cheleker]

Many hatchback versions were created starting in the mid-60s with the Radford versions (like Ringo's) perhaps the most often seen. The "barn door" version of this thread showed up a few months ago on the Mini Mania Forum and other sites. I believe it was featured in one of the two English-based magazines, as well. It's certainly interesting and well crafted. The French company doing the work is well known for their abilities. It has, though, the same problem that the estate Minis and the MINI Clubman have; i.e., the blind spot created by the center door posts.

[Dixminion]

Now I have an odd desire to cut my rear license plate in half. Don

[skip]

Just noticed another thing on the Ringo Mini, it has Volkswagen tail lights on it! Those are '62 - '67 European market tail lights, the US Spec VW's never had the amber portion they were all red.

Robin and I met a guy in Port Townsend a few years ago who was running VW tail lights on his MK I Mini (I like the MK I lights better). Was this a common conversion? Or just two weird people on different continents?