22.10.03: Very slight change to the main HOME PAGE today. I have deleted the almost useless guestbook and replaced it with a link to this page.

19.10.03: I have decided to knock the guestbook on the head. Too much hastle to maintain for the hits it received. I am always happy to receive your queries, comments and questions on info@mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk though. M.

17.10.03: This morning I have added a complete copy of an original catalogue from the Accessories company SPQR to the TUNING ARCHIVE. Although not strictly a tuning company they were very well known for some of their quality products, some of which are still available today through different manufacturers. 

09.09.03: I have added details of a sort of Speedwell badge that I have not seen before, if you have any info on this unusual but very genuine looking badge I would love to hear from you. You will find the details in the TUNING ARCHIVE section. I have also added a new Downton press review to the DOWNTON ARCHIVE.

29.08.03: I have just added another Flier to the Speedwell Documents section. This is an early one from about 1960 and covers Speedwell Exhaust systems. I have also added another company to the TUNING COMPANY archive. This one isn't strictly speaking a tuning company, its more an accessories company, but does offer a number of very nice conversions and products including Speedwell, Aquaplane, SPQR Benelite etc. Initially the only way to access these pages will be through the SUPER ACCESSORIES link, but later I will add direct links from the manafacturers pages too.

26.08.03: Speedwell Shock absorbers added to the CLASSIC TUNING section and text has been added to the NORDIC section.

22.08.03: I have added a copy of a glossy brochure for the Speedwell 1300GT (Cooper S based) conversion to the SPEEDWELL ARCHIVE. I have also added a good size chunk to the BUYING DOWNTON section regarding some of the different types of carburettors and manifolds offered by Downton. There is also the addition of some pictures and info on the Alexander H1 conversion that has been added to the ALEXANDER ENGINEERING section. Finally, I have added a new company to the TUNING COMPANIES archive. Have you heard of "Nordic" well they made some of the nicest steel manifolds I have ever seen. Theres only pictures at the moment, but the text will follow soon.

19.08.03: Just a small update today. I have added a copy of a pricelist for the Downton "Motorway Conversion" to the DOWNTON LITERATURE section and a copy of the fitting instructions for a Delaney Gallay seatbelt to the CLASSIC TUNING section. I have a couple of other nice Downton items to go up shortly as well as a very interesting Barwell Alloy head! Come back soon.

7.08.03: I have just added a selection of original Theo Page line drawings to the BMC ARCHIVE section. These pictures are saved at 150dpi resolution so in theory should save and print very well indeed.

6.08.03: I have added a few very nice pictures of Issigonis to the PRESS PHOTO section. Theres one from the launch in 1959 and a couple in the VARIANTS section featuring the Twinni & the Beachcar.This was taken at Chobham in 1959 during the official launch of the "New Mini". I have also added a selection of original "Issigonis" design sketches to the BMC ARCHIVE section. Some of these have been reproduced many times, others not so. I hope you enjoy them. At the bottom of the BMC ARCHIVE section I have added a beautiful Theo Page linedrawing of the 997 Cooper engine & box.

4.08.03: A copy of a brochure for an Australian Cooper S added today. You can find this in the NON UK BROCHURES section, at the bottom. Thanks to John Heselwood in Aus for the copy.

31.07.03: This morning I have added a copy of a very early Downton Pricelist for conversions of the BMC 'B' series engine to the DOWNTON LITERATURE section. You will find it in the bottom right hand corner.

28.07.03: Today I have re-jigged the main INDEX PAGE to make it easier to see and hopefully reduce the need to scroll through this main page. In a hope it makes the site easier to navigate. I have also added a couple of Speedwell Posters to the SPEEDWELL ARCHIVE. I have also added a few more original Speedwell items to the bottom of the 60's TUNING ARCHIVE.

For those of you interested in such things this site as of 29th July 2003 runs to some 110 pages and contains in excess of 1000 seperate images. My ISP has recently upped my web space to 100Mb so with just over 48 filled you can look forward to a lot more in the future. M.

23.07.03: This morning I have just uploaded another copy of a flier produced in the early 70's relating to the GT-S TUNING KIT. This enabled owners of 1275GT's to upgrade to the old Cooper S spec. I have also added (where available) the original text that goes with the photos in the PRESS PHOTOS SECTION. Any photos with an original caption available is highlighted in green. I owe a big thank you to my wife Den for all the copying!

19.07.03: I have just diccovered that most of the DOWNTON section has been unavailable for a while. Sorry about this, I guess I must have lost track. It is now all fully available again via the DOWNTON front page. I have also added a selection of Passports to Service to the BMC ARCHIVE section. I have also had a bit of a tidy up, removing dead links and trying to make the site easier to navigate. I hope you like the changes. I have also rearranged a lot of the content in the SPEEDWELL & ALEXANDER sections to make them easier to navigate. I hope you like the changes.

18.07.03: This morning I have added material to the new BUYING DOWNTON section, I have also added a very nice picture to the PRESS PHOTOS section, this is from the German release of the 1275 & 970 'S' models. The most interesting thing is that the car pictured is actually not a Cooper at all but a standard model! Finally today I have added the solution to the photo question in the OLD CURIOSITY SHOP. Tero Grönfors from Finland has correctly identified the mystery part as a very early saddle seal.

15.07.03: This morning I have just added a bit about Downton & Formula Junior rockercovers to the BUYING DOWNTON section. I have also added a new item to the OLD CURIOSITY SHOP and a LANDAR rockercover to the bottom of the 60's TUNING PARTS section.

14.07.03: I have just added a very nice Remax distributor cap to the OLD CURIOSITY SHOP section. check out another classic "Tuning" part, at the bottom of this section.

11.07.03: This morning I have made a major change to the general page layout. All the pages now have a navigation bar, this is usually at the bottom of the page, but can sometimes be found at the top. I hope that it will make it easier for a newcommer to navigate the site. I have also added a BUYING DOWNTON section. This is a section I have been meaning to get round to for ages, it deals with some of the pitfalls in trying to buy 40 year old tuning parts. I hope you enjoy the latest additions. I have also added a couple of examples of Non UK Special Tuning Data sheets to the SPECIAL TUNING section. There is one from the US and one from Canada.

9.07.03: I have just added a selection of original BMC Paint chip cards to the TECHNICAL SECTION. As requested by AndyB :-) as well as nine or so original Accessory brochures to the BMC ARCHIVE section. I have also just uploaded a further 50 original press release photos of nearly all variants to the BMC ARCHIVE section, I will be adding descriptions in the near future. But having sliced the end of my finger open last night, my typing is even slower than usual at the moment. Oh I have also added some BMC Accessory brochures to this section too. Finally for the moment, I have put a copy of the original tuning sheets for the small bore minis and very early set for the Cooper 'S' in the 60's TUNERS section, under the heading BMC ST & COMPS DEPT. BTW. I have revised the about me section, please follow the link above to find out why I spend so much time running this site.

8.07.03: I have begun to add the first major new section to the site for a while. In the BMC ARCHIVE section you will now fond a link to a collection of original BMC press release photos. This will soon cover all variants including Mini, Cooper & S. At the moment there is just the structure there, the content should apear over the next few days.

7.07.03: I have just added a JANSPEED section to the 60's TUNERS ARCHIVE. It covers the main off the shelf conversions offered by Janspeed as well as some of their more interesting accessories and services.

4.07.03: As well as an example of a BMC Cowley Took Check Tag, I have added a couple more 1966 Monte Items items to the BMC ARCHIVE section, a letter from one of the large Austin dealers addressed to all the British Monte Entrants and an invitation to a party part way through that years event! I have also added a link to a very nice Innocenti Mini Minor site to the LINKS SECTION. From now on any links on this page will link directly to the item refered to not just the page the item is on, finding some items in some pages is getting a little tricky due to the weight of material on a given page. I hope you find this setup better than the previous one. As always any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

02.07.03: I have just added a picture and details on the Speedwell / BRM magnesium racing wheels to the bottom of the CLASSIC TUNING section. I have also added a link to an exceptional Speedwell site in the LINKS page.

6.06.03: I have just finished adding a copy of a fairly late "Radford" flier to the bottom of the NON BMC VARIANTS section. This gives the outline of the basic specification and some of the options available for this "Mini RollsRoyce. The flier here is a fairly late one, I would estimate it being from 1967 or so. The earlier ones are about, but can be very expensive, or should I say too expensive for me!

2.06.03: Added a "Special Tuning Pin Tray" to the OLD CURIOSITY SHOP this morning.

28.05.03: Back from holiday now. This morning I have added a link in the LINKS section to the Supreme Minis South Africa site. This has some info about the SA built minis and the Kwa Zulu Natal Mini Club. This site is run by my good friend Sean Brenan who I have been staying with for the last 2 weeks. I have also added the details of the Camber GT Mini based Kit car to the bottom of the Mini VARIANTS section. I have also added another ST flier to the bottom of the BMC ARCHIVE section. First full day back from holiday and new content already!

9.05.03: I am away on holiday between the 10th & 26th of May so you won't find any updates until after these dates. I will also not be able to answer queries or sell any items via my ebay store during this time. I apologise for the inconvenience but I guess everyone needs a holiday once in a while. Needless to say I will be doing some Miniing while I am away and will tell you about it upon my return. Regards, Mark F.

7.05.03: This morning I have added an absolute classic to the bottom of the BMC ARCHIVE section. Thanks to Andy Barrass I have been able to add an MP3 version of a BMC advertising single that was circulated by BMC Sweden in the mid 60's. This is an absolute classic and is not to be missed! Once upon a time I am sure this was a serious attempt at selling cars, but now it is hysterically funny. Or at least I think it is!

2.05.03: SORRY! No magazines left. This offer is now CLOSED! If you have not sent money for postage or arranged with me personally to send postage you are too late. I have just added a series of brochures to the NON UK section. Thanks Andy B.

1.05.03 My best update for months! I have just uploaded a complete copy of the ORIGINAL team orders for the 1966 Monte-Carlo Rally. Here you can see EXACTLY what the BMC Works crews of the 60's had to work with. This genuinely historic document has been added to bottom of the BMC ARCHIVE SECTION. I have also added a copy of the official results for this rally. The final item added to the BMC Archive section today is the script for the last BBC report from the Monte of 1966. This is written on the back of the official results officially & finally excluding the Mini Cooper S's. If they had not been excluded they would have completed a unique 1st, 2nd & 3rd overall!

30.04.03: WOULD YOU LIKE SOME FREE MINI MAGAZINES? As part of my massive Mini clearout I am getting rid of all my Mini Worlds & Mini Magazines. If you would like some for just the cost of postage, follow THIS LINK

28.04.03: Sorry about the recent lack of updates! I have been extrodinarily busy at work recently and unfortunately the site has had to take a back seat, however things are looking up so watch out for (hopefully) regular updates again. Today I have started a new section entitled NON UK BROCHURES. This will feature some of the Mini Brochures published by and for BMC dealers around the world, theres not much there yet, but I have lots to follow. I have also added small bits to the DOWNTON & SPEEDWELL sections regarding what happened to the companies.

30.3.03: Just one addition this morning, I have added pictures of the "Speedwell Lucas" Revcounter to the CLASSIC TUNING section.

19.03.03: I have added a couple of new links to the LINKS Page. Some defunked ones have been removed and a few new ones have been added too! I get nothing from any of the links on that page, they are merely sites and people I have known and used over the years that I have found to be useful.

14.03.03: I have just addes a fantastic new Mini only search engine to the main INDEX PAGE, you will find it down at the bottom, thanks to Stuart Wilson for this very usefull addition.

10.03.03: I have just added another item to the CLASSIC TUNING page, this is a Speedwell Bulkhead shiled, thanks to Ian Gray for the pictures. I have also added a fantastic article about the Works Mini AJB 44 B to the SPECIAL TUNING / COMPS. DEPT. section , this is an article originally taken from a German Motoring Mag so has probably not been seen much in English speaking countries. I would like to thank Karsten (again) for the fantastic translation!

08.3.03: Have you seen the review of this site in MiniMagazine this month? Thanks Minimag, I'm glad you like ithe site! CLICK HERE to see it for yourself.

25.02.02: I am currently assembling a few new pages featuring material sent by Karsten, this mainly relates to the Targa and the BMC Works cars. This material should be posted within the next day or two.

24.02.03: I have opened an ebay store where you can purchase some of the items on this site, if you would like to see these, go to the ITEMS FOR SALE page and follow the link. I have decided to ONLY sell items through my ebay store or ebay auctions as it is safer for all concerned. I can no longer fulfull orders for items placed directly here.

23.01.03: This morning I have just uploaded four more fantastic previously unpublished photos that were taken during the 1962 Targa Florio, these feature the car (176 NWL) that was driven by Messrs. Bernard Cahier and Prince Metternich, their car was prepared for the event by Downton. Needless to say thanks to Karsten Stelk for the pictures. You will find these pictures in the DOWNTON PHOTOS section. I have also just uploaded a very nice picture of the dash of AJB 44 B as it was during the Monte. This picture is the first item added to the BMC SECTION. Karsten has very kindly provided a translation of the original german anotation, this can be downloaded from the page in question by clicking on the icon.

21.01.03: A big thank you to John Heselwood in Australia! He is currently restoring a MK1 1275 S that was extensively modified by Downton in 1969. The car started out as a standard 1275 S in 1965 and (unusually) didn't receive its "Downtonisation" until some 4 years and 60 odd thousand miles later. The bill for this work was very expensive to say the least. Check out the details HERE.

17.01.03: I have added an entirely new archive of SHORROCK SUPERCHARGING information today, I hope you enjoy it. I have also re arranged the 60's TUNING ARCHIVE so it is easier to see.

15.01.03: One picture added to the Downton PICTURES section today, this is another previously unpublished shot of the "Twini-Mini" taken during the Targa. Thanks to Karsten yet again.

7.01.03: I am no longer selling items from this site, if you wanted something you are probably too late. To see what I am offering on ebay this week check out the link below. Coming in the next few weeks are original items from BMC, Special Tuning, Comps. Dept., Downton, Speedwell, Alexander, original items including autographs, paperwork , original tuning and competoition parts and who knows what else.

2.12.02: SORRY, BUT I HAVE HAD TO DISCONTINUE OFFERING THE WICKER BASKETS.

Due to ongoing supplier problems (I have been awaiting a delivery for 8 weeks!) I have had reluctantly discontinue my very popular Wicker baskets. If you have already placed an order DON'T PANIC! Any orders placed (with payment) will be honoured as soon as possible. BUT I cannot take any further orders in future. I VERY MUCH REGRET HAVING TO DO THIS BUT I HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH NO OPTION. On a similar downbeat note, I can no longer offer photocopies of any material that apears on this site.

11.02: A complete new section added today (once again thanks to Karsten Stelk) I have added a section on HARESPARES / AUTORAMA to the 60's TUNING ARCHIVE. While they were not a tuning firm, they did produce one of the finest quality colour catalogues of the 60's. It is absolutely packed with interesting information and equipment from the likes of Speedwell, Taurus, Aquaplane etc.

20.11.02: Today I have added a couple of very nice pictures of the Alexander / HRG Alloy cylinder head for "B" series engines. You can see these pictures at the bottom of the ALEXANDER section. A big thanks to Alexander Moentjens from the Netherlands!

On a separate note, last night I found this picture it shows a very nice Morris Cooper (or is it an 'S') parked alongside Donald Campbell's prototype Bluebird CN8 Jet car.

DONALD CAMPBELL was one of the greatest Record breakers of all time and is still the only person to hold the World Land & Water Speed Records simultaneously. Bluebird CN8 would have been his first Jet Powered Car, enableing him to compete with rocket powered Craig Breedlove, and maybe regain the record he had held previously. Sadly Donald was killed on the 4th of January 1967 when his Jet Powered Boat Bluebird K7 left the water and summersaulted at over 320mph. Follow the link above for more info on Donald & his record breaking achievements, including an AVI clip of his last ever run..

14.11.02: I have just added a copy of the original handbook supplement for the Cooper S to the bottom of the BMC ARCHIVE. I have also added full copies of the original Austin & Morris Coopers 'S' brochures to the COOPER BROCHURES section. Details of the "Spin On" Minilite wheels added to THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP.

31.10.02: Not much activity today, I have just uploaded a very nice photo of an Alexander 7 port head to the ALEXANDER page, thanks Vegard.

30.10.02: First thing to go up today is an addition to the ALEXANDER section. If you scroll down this page you will find links to a copy of the original brochure for their superb semi downdraft 7 port head. The ARDEN section has been added to with the addition of some scans of original Arden paperwork & a press review. A big thanks to Craig McGuire from Canada for sending the excellent set of pictures of his Aquaplane alloy cylinder head that I have just added to the AQUAPLANE section.

As usual all scans are 1:1 and should be totally legible on any monitor. Sometimes the images apear smaller than they actually are, if this happens maximise the image.

29.10.02: OVER 30 SEPARATE IMAGES ADDED THIS MORNING! I have just uploaded a complete copy of the 1965 Speedwell catalogue to the SPEEDWELL ARCHIVE SECTION. This is the catalogue that covers the entire Mini range from 850 through to 1275 'S'. These catalogues are not only extremely rare but unbelievably expensive too. Here's your chance to learn about Speedwells products without having to break the bank or put up with the bu**shit from the supposed experts. As usual all the images are download able and make pretty good reference material. I have also just added copies of the cover, inner fly leaf & introduction from the 1965 Speedwell catalogue for the Morris 1100 to the SPEEDWELL DOCUMENTS section. If you have time, print out the one from the mini and the one from the 1100. Can you spot any similarities?

28.10.02: So far today I have added a few details and the brochure for the Crayford Minisprint. This was one of the very, very few factory approved Convertible Minis from the early 60's. Crayford went on to make many, many factory approved conversions for Ford (spit) cars throughout the 70's & 80's. Check out the VARIANTS section. Lots more stuff to follow over the next few days including a full Speedwell Catalogue for the BMC Mini Range. I have just started the TAURUS SECTION here. There is very little there yet, but thanks to Andy Barrass & Edward Preiswerk, this is going to be very full soon.

25.10.02: This is the first really big update I have done in about 6 months. Last night I prepared about 40 pages and have just "Put them up". You will find masses of original pages from the Speedwell catalogues from 1963 & 64, I will also be adding some stuff from 1965 soon. In the next few days I aim to get the SPEEDWELL DOCUMENTS section to the same sort of state as the Downton section currently is.

24.10.02: Firstly, I have actually started the long awaited SPEEDWELL ARCHIVE. There is not much there yet, but I will try and add at least one item every day to begin with. . Nice picture of 931 RFC added to the Downton pictures SECTION.

On a seperate note I have been doing a bit of tidying up and have checked the site statistics. I now have over 75 seperate web pages up, these contain in excess of 450 images, and more than 5,000 words of text, in total thats about 20 Megs, so only another 30 or so to go. While I think about it, I have decided to run a special Christmas competition over November & December with a really excellent MK1-ish prize for the winner. This competition will be free to enter and open to anyone who surfs in.

Details coming soon!

17.10.02: A few more pictures and details added about "Speedwell" Badges HERE. Hopefully this will put an end to any doubt, once & for all. I have included a couple of higher definition images as well as tracings of both the original & repro badges, as well as a very clear illustration from a 1966 Speedwell catalogue.

04.10.02: There won't be any activity for the next week or so, I am going on holiday. A few people are awaiting delivery of baskets that they have ordered. These will be sent out week commencing 14th October upon my return. See you soon. Mark F.

19.09.02: I have added a complete copy of the brochure for the Stewart & Arden Minisprint to the VARIANTS section. Details of the replacement Speedwell Valve Guides added.

18.09.02: Added the BMC Tyre Gauge HERE, as well as an example of the keyring given away by Stewart & Arden, the Minisprint manufacturers HERE.

29.08.02: OK, so I am the first to admit that I have not been doing too much recently, but since the weather hasn't been too bad I have been driving my cars instead of writing about them, the good news is that the weather is getting colder & wetter so I am sure I will have more to add soon. In the meantime I have received a very interesting copy of a review of the "Bob Soper Ram Pipe" that I have added to the tuning section HERE. As you may be aware, Bob is my Godfather and I am particularly attatched to this strange "backwater" of Mini tuning. I would like to say a very big thankyou to Simon Wheatcroft for finding this article and thinking of sending it in. Thanks Simon!

08.07.02: Alterations made to some text on DOWNTON PICTURE ARCHIVE (courtesy of Simon Wheatcroft of the MCR) . Shot of Karsten Stelk's 1275 Cooper S at the start of the Targa Florio added at bottom.

02.07.02: OK so I have taken a bit of time off! Since I finished my Moke I have found it hard to sit down in front of my Compy and do more site, but thanks to a few serious Mini fans I now have a massive backlog of items to add to this site. The first of these is a copy of the Homologation Papers for the 997 Cooper, these have beed added to the Archive section, to access them CLICK HERE. You will find all 7 sheets at the bottom of the page. In the next week or two I will also be ading more Downton material, some Taurus stuff, and loads more images. Watch this space!

31.05.02: To read the review of my 1071 Cooper S published in the July 2002 issue of Mini Magazine CLICK HERE.

29.5.02: No new content today I am afraid, but I am very pleased to report that this month this site has been reviewed in Mini Magazine. I am glad to say it received a favourable one, and amazingly, totally independently, you can read a report on My 1071 "Downton" Cooper S in the same issue. By the way, Thanks to Mr E. Preiswerk of Geneva I am currently compiling a lot of new content, a whole new section on Taurus, another great tuner from the 60's, as well as more Downton stuff. In addition to this I will be posting a very interesting article about the BVRT Mini-Buick e-mailed from "Mr JP8" a mystery visitor to this site. Thanks to everyone who has sent me content, there is a limit to the stuff I have, and any interesting additions are always appreciated.

22.05.02: Sorry about the lack of activity recently, I have been incredibly busy preparing the Moke for this years IMM in Scotland. It went for its MOT test this morning, so keep your fingers crossed. I will be doing a new section on the Moke from hell shortly. In the meantime, Karsten has sent me a very interesting set of Special Tuning Sheets published in Germany in 1966, there are 7 full sheets of info on the 970, 1071 & 1275 varieties. They are in the BMC ARCHIVE section, at the bottom.

07.05.02: A very interesting article about Downton added to the DOWNTON PRESS REVIEW section this morning, this was first published in "Motor Week" magazine and is an excellent insight into this legendary tuning firm. Thanks Karsten. Remember! All scans on this site are scanned and saved at 1:1 either, 150 or 75 dpi, and should be legible! If they are small, hit the enlarge button that should appear at the bottom right hand corner of the image, if this doesn't work, press print, then cancel, then the button should appear. Also a new DOWNTON ADVERTISING section added to the downton archive, talk about understated, these ads are so laid back they are almost horizontal!

02.05.02: One item added to the BMC ARCHIVE today, Karsten has very kindly sent me an excellent copy of a BMC Special Tuning Sheet Cover originally issued by J. A. Woodhouse & Co. Approved BMC Special tuning dealers in Germany. I have never seen one of these before.

01.05.02: No new content today I am afraid, but I have added a GUESTBOOK to the main index page, if you have any comments or suggestions for content or would just like to say hello, I will be very glad to read your comments.

29.4.02: Only one new addition today. The wiring diagram for the MK1 Moke, this is the original BMC copy with all the colours correctly identified! Check out the TECHNICAL section.

25.4.02: A number of very early brochures added to the BMC MINI HISTORICAL ARCHIVE, including the Austin Preliminary specification for the new "Baby Se7en" & Countryman, as well lots of early van & Pick Up brochures. I can now supply copies of any of the brochures listed here at the following prices, Colour per A4 side only 75p each or black and white per A4 side 35p a copy.

24.4.02: Vertical alignment diagram for the Moke added to the TECHNICAL section.

23.4.02: New TECHNICAL section added. This section will contain useful technical information that will help in the restoration or repair of your Mini. So far the only things in there are the vertical "drop" diagram and subframe alignment diagram. All the items in this section are scanned 1:1 at 150 dpi, making them very useful for downloading and saving for further reference.

18.4.02: Check out the results from the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally, a copy of the official Finishers list is now on the BMC ARCHIVE section. Also added to this section the specification and info on the original Cooper Formula Junior Single seater, the closest ancestor to the original Mini Cooper!

16.4.02: Well it shows what I know doesn't it! I say nothing will change for the next week or so, and here's another new addition, check out the luxurious "Contessa GT" that I have just added to the VARIANTS section. Very 1970's. Thanks Andy B.  

16.4.02: As you can see updates have been a bit thin in the last few days, sorry about this. The reason is that I have booked my Moke in to this years IMM in Kinross, Scotland. It will be on the Mini Moke club stand for all to see. If you look at the pictures in the Moke section you will see that I have my work cut out!!! Anyway after 3 solid days of welding and grinding I am taking the shell to be blasted tonight, it should be in paint by the weekend and has to be finished & MOT'd before 24.5.02. It is a bit of a tall order but I am sure I can do it. I will be posting pics as soon as I get a minute, but just at the moment the Moke is my number one priority. I guarantee more interesting content soon, including details on the very early BMC "Formula Junior" Mini engines and how to spot fake Downton items. As you may have spotted, mk1-performance-conversions has been elected the "Miniportal.ca" site of the month. I would like to say thank you for this award, and welcome any new visitors.

9.4.02: Full details and picture of the very, very rare Austin Cooper flier published between Jan & June 1964 added to the BROCHURES section. Lots of details of the Downton conversions available for the Austin Healey Sprite & MG Midget added to the Downton LITERATURE section (courtesy of Karsten). Alterations and additions to the VARIANTS section, including new copy of the FULL Ogle SX1000 brochure. I have also made massive aditions to the brochures section, the MINI COOPER & S section is complete (unless you know better), the MINI SALOON section has over 12 entries, the MINI UTILITY VEHICLES section goes up to the end of MK1 production and there are a load of ESTATES too.

8.4.02: Full details of the Downton conversions of the 1800 available now (thanks Karsten) The description and prices are in the downton LITERATURE section and the reviews are (unsurprisingly) in the downton REVIEWS section.

7.4.02: Once again thanks to Karsten I have been able to make massive additions to both the Downton PRESS REVIEW section & the Downton LITERATURE section. In the former I have been able to add 4 more reviews, although these are not all reviews of Minis, one is of an elf and the other two are Morris 1100's, they are still A series based cars. I have added a few A series based items in the literature section as well, first there is a full quotation for a number 5 touring conversion c/w suspension modifications, as well as descriptions and prices for some other popular BMC conversions from Downton, including the 1100, 1300 & MGC. I have also added a complete price list from May 1st 1974. I feel that this shows quite clearly how this superb tuning firm had "lost its way" long before its eventual demise. Its policy of sticking with BMC / BL models was looking increasingly suicidal by the mid 70's. After all who wants a Downton tuned Marina!

From my own collection I have added scans of the Downton catalogue from 1969. This info is reproduced elsewhere on the site, but this is the first time the catalogue itself has been available. This is now in the Downton LITERATURE section, a picture of Daniel Richmond taken at the Racing cars show has been added to the bottom of the Downton PICTURES section.

I have altered the layout of the Downton Literature section to try and make it more easy to navigate. I am still not happy with it, so it will probably change again soon.

I have received definitive confirmation of the number of Mini Cooper 'S' Travellers made. John Cooper Garages supplied only 6, 2 of this 6 were to the same customer. A Mr Steve McQueen, I believe he made a film or two! See the spec of this car HERE.

Nice picture of Daniel Richmond added to the Downton PICTURES section.

4.4.02: I have just received another fantastic shipment of Downton material from Karsten. The first two items to go up are a beautiful giveaway "Postcard" featuring the Downton, Britax Cooper of 1968, and a copy of the full price list for 1967 both can be accessed through the Downton literature section which is HERE. More of this material soon. Bit of stuff about Aquaplane, Arden Conversions, Barwell Motors, and Broadspeed added HERE, Including the Autocar review of the Broadspeed GT.

3.4.02: Two very nice (& rare) pictures and a bit of blurb added about the 1968 European Saloon Car Championship added to the BVRT section. These pictures were taken at ZANDVOORT in Holland.

2.4.02: More details of Ogle SX1000 added to MINI VARIANTS section, including copy of the original sales brochure.

1.4.02: Massive additions to the BVRT section, including fantastic history of BVRT as well as some excellent unpublished photos. Courtesy of Pete Flanagan & Harry Ratcliffe.

28.3.02: Very rare Austin Cooper S brochure added to BROCHURES section. Details to follow.

27.3.02: This evening I sorted out the DOWNTON INDEX section, it is now much easier to navigate. While I was at it I added a couple of reviews of Downton 1275 GT's in the PRESS REVIEW section & also added a few more bits to the DOWNTON LITERATURE section, including an original invoice, a letterhead and a dyno test sheet for a 1275 S fitted with a No5 touring conversion. This site is now without a doubt the most comprehensive reference site for information on Downton Engineering Works Ltd. of Downton in Wiltshire. More to be added soon.

26.3.02: I have been working on my Moke for the last few nights, but have just added a really nice addition to the DOWNTON ARCHIVE section, its the little flier that would have been pasted into your Cars handbook after a touring conversion was fitted. I will be redoing the whole Downton section this evening and adding some other stuff as well, so watch this space.

21.3.02: More genuine Downton literature added to the DOWNTON INDEX section. Haven't done the revamp yet, but will probably get round to it this weekend. At last some of my own stuff, but the Price list is thanks to Karsten again. New DOWNTON PRESS REVIEW SECTION added.

With the help of Karsten this site is already the most comprehensive source of information on "The Greatest Mini Tuners of All Time" DOWNTON ENGINEERING WORKS of Downton Wiltshire. Today I have uploaded a copy of the original specification & price list for the Downton Group 2 conversion along with a copy of the cover of the "Downton, London" sales leaflet. Get to these fantastic documents via the DOWNTON INDEX page. This whole section will be getting a revamp soon to make it even easier to navigate.

20.3.02: Special Tuning Flier for the GT-S Kit, "Make your 1275 GT go like the discontinued Mini Cooper 'S', added to the BMC ARCHIVE.

19.3.02: Two more pictures added from the personal collection of Mr. Karsten Stelk (a true fan of British cars), these two are of the Twini Mini & 176 NWL arriving at the docks in Sicily before the 1962 Targa Florio and another of NWL at speed on the even. To see these fantastic pictures CLICK HERE. Major revamp of MAIN INDEX to make it easier to navigate & LINKS page added.INDEX

18.3.02: Details & tips on Speedwell Over bored blocks & valve guides, Instruments & Delaney Gallay seat belts added to the TUNING ARCHIVE. BMC obsolete parts section renamed THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP, strange motoring paraphinalia from days gone by. Two excellent pictures added to the DOWNTON PICTURES SECTION courtesy of Mr. K. Stelk.

17.3.02: Comps Dept letter, 970 & 1275cc 'S' Homologation sheets, First "Confidential Service Memo" , First Part of US Press Launch pack, Press photo signed by Issigonis & Arden Equipe Press Release added to BMC ARCHIVE section. First items added to MINI TUNING section, including "How to spot a fake Speedwell Badge", Speedwell Alloy heads and High Lift Rockers. New pictures added to the SPEEDWELL HISTORY section. Jeff Goodliff's Vita Min added to BVRT section. 2 daft pictures added one to ABOUT MK1, the other to the COOPER CAR CO section. British Vita "Triple Champions" added to BVRT section (at bottom).

15.3.02: Extensive additions to TUNING ARCHIVE Section, Alexander, some BVRT, Bob Soper, Cooper Car Co. BMC Ltd. etc.

14.3.02: BMC ARCHIVE section added to

13.3.02: Bones of new site uploaded