A Mini adventure for motor museum first

A MINI Minor owned by the British Motor Museum at Gaydon is to play a starring role in a special parade next month to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.

The parade, organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Motor Group and the All-Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, will take place leading to the forecourt of Buckingham Palace on Saturday, 15th October.

The museum’s Mini Minor was the first ever production model of the vehicle to roll off the Cowley production line on 8th May, 1959, with the registration plate 621 AOK.

Designed by Alec Issigonis, the car had its engine installed transversely with the gearbox in the sump and featured front-wheel drive. Its price from new was £537 and its top speed was 72mph.

The car will be driven in the parade by Martin Williams, one of the museum’s mechanics.

Martin said: “I am very excited about this opportunity, I only joined the museum in June and feel very honoured to be able to drive the Mini as part of the Queen’s birthday celebrations.”

It will be one of 90 vehicles representing the best of the British motor industry, all of which will be inspected on behalf of the Queen by Prince Michael of Kent.