Well, it's about time I weighed in with a bit of info.
Firstly, I appreciate ALL the comments, negative as well as positive. I have to say though, that so far, the only mail I've received directly (ie: people prepared to put pen to paper or finger to keyboard and address it to me personally) has been overwhelmingly positive. If you send me something negative about the magazine, or just a suggestion about content, it is still likely to get published. We can only really go on what people tell us (not what they seem to tell other people, who tell other people and so on) so if ALL the mail we get says we are going the right way, why change?
In terms of the Bini stuff: At first I had no idea what you guys were talking about and it took me a while to realise you were talking about the new MINI (made by BMW). Well, get used to it. In 40 years, 5.3 million of the Classic Mini were sold. So far, in 4 years, over 500,000 new MINIs have been sold. That's about the same yearly average. The Classic Mini hasn't been available in Australia, except as a private import, since 1978 (1982 if you're into Mokes). Do you really think we can just ignore the new MINI? Okay, the new MINI probably won't be around for more than 10 years, but by then there should have been at least 2 million of them sold.
Remember, when the Cooper S (and all round nose Minis) was replaced in 1971 the new Clubman-style Mini was derided by many Mini enthusiasts as not being a real Mini. In Australia the replacement was the Clubman GT - mechanically virtually identical to the Cooper S. Yes, it never won Bathurst, it wasn't very competitive on the race tracks of the day, but it was up against the likes of the Alfetta and Twin Cam Escort. The replacement in the UK was the 1275 GT. Mechanically much more like our own 1275 LS, very much detuned from the Cooper S. People bagged it. Yet, the 1275 GT outsold all forms of the Cooper S, combined, in the UK by about 3 to 1. Hands up all those people who would like a 1275 GT or a Clubman GT now?
Now, put your hand up if you don't like the new MINI. Keep your hand up if you've driven one......Not many hands still up. My personal opinion (if anyone is interested) is the new MINI is a terrific car to drive. Huge grin factor. But I prefer the Classic. I love small cars, especially my Mini van and my Moke.
Looking at the technical side of things. Easier said than done. Someone hit the nail on the head when they pointed out the problems with endorsing radical modifications and the letigious nature of today's society in general. It is also important that you get someone who is universally respected, has incredible, long term, in depth knowledge, is independant of any Mini specialist business (so as not to be seen as pushing one's own barrow) and is virtually infalible when it comes to working on Minis. If you fit the bill, drop me a line.
We will be having a bit of retro tech in the magazine, but don't expect some of the things you were discussing on the forum. That dizzy conversion in Mini Magic was a waste of time, when you can get electronic ignition that fits straight into the Lucas dizzy and makes the thing bloody reliable. I ran Luminition on my wife's Moke for nearly ten years and it never gave an ounce of trouble. Honda disc brakes on a Mini? No thanks. I'd prefer to spend the extra and get, say, a set of KAD alloy discs from the UK. Anybody making that sort of thing locally? We'd like to hear if there is.
I'd also like to have a bit of technical stuff for the new MINI, but that is proving a little difficult to come by as well.
Modified Minis in The Mini Experience? You bet. But, don't expect me to go down the same path as the UK mags. One thing that will make our magazine stand out is our unique approach. I won't copy anyone for the sake of being like them. I might pinch the ocassional idea, but use it in my own way.
Aussie originals and specials? Absolutely. How about Pelandini, Bulanti, Jem, Project X, Buckle, Ecurie De Des, motorkhana specials, Sports Sedans and more. These are all planned for future issues.
Clubmans? Of course. But remember, round nose Minis were more succesful, are more sought after and are generally more valuable. There may be more Clubbies out there, but finding those worth featuring (while there are certainly plenty around) isn't as easy as finding the round noses.
Also, each issue of the magazine will have a fairly major theme. Issue 2 is on the Works Minis. There weren't many Clubbies, but we might have found one.
Can't find a copy of the magazine in your local newsagent? We had 4,000 mags distributed nationally to just under 2,000 newsagents. If you can't find a copy, drop me a line. I've still got plenty for shows, promotions and subscriptions.
Anything else you want to say, send me an email.
[email protected]
Cheers, Watto.
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at City Newsagency in Murray St - next to Hadleys.
