This year sees the Mini celebrate its 60th anniversary, and to mark this momentous milestone, the British Motor Museum is to perform a Mini mosaic Guinness World Record attempt. On Saturday August 3, the Gaydon-based museum hopes to gather over 600 classic Minis and arrange them to spell out the phrase ‘Mini 60’ when viewed from above.
All classic Minis produced between 1959 and 2000 are eligible, including long wheelbase estate models, Clubmans, commercial models, Mokes, Mini-based derivatives including the Scamp and Marcos, the upmarket Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet models, and even the Wildgoose camper should any be in attendance! To take part, you’ll need to buy a ticket for the museum’s National Metro and Mini Show, which takes place the day after on Sunday August 4. As well as allowing you to be part of the attempt and entry to the show, it also gives you museum admission for the driver and one passenger on both days, plus a chance of winning a Laser Tools 6 Draw Top Chest worth over £400 if you enter your vehicle before May 31.
The main show on Sunday has been moved from its usual June slot, creating a three-week burst of Mini events that includes the International Mini Meeting in Bristol the following weekend and Kelsey Media’s own Mini in the Park at its new home of Mallory Park on August 18. But Minis aren’t the only cars being celebrated at Gaydon; the Rover 100 is 25 years old in 2019 and owners are being offered free entry to the event. What’s more, the last example produced will be on display in the museum, together with the first production Mini, 621 AOK. Visitors can also see the last ever classic Mini made in Longbridge (X411 JOP), as well as the Monte Carlo Rally-winning Minis of 1964, 1965 and 1967.
The show is part of 16 unique motoring events at the museum in 2019, including the return of its popular adult workshops ‘Living with a Classic Experience Day’ and ‘Classic Virgins Experience Day’, plus a its new ‘The Car. The Future. Me’ exhibition, which opens on July 13. And to get the Mini celebrations started, it will host three weeks of ‘Mini Madness’ family activities over the Easter school holidays.
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, said: “As the British Motor Museum is home to the first and last classic Mini’s it is only fitting for us to host several events to celebrate the milestone anniversary of this iconic car. We welcome owners of all classic Minis to be part of setting a new Guinness World Record – a fitting tribute to one of Britain’s most popular little cars.”
Other 2019 highlights include the successful Gaydon Land Rover Show, which returns on May 11-12, the National BMW Festival on August 11, the BMC and Leyland Show on July 7 and the Old Ford Rally on July 21. For more information and for entry forms, visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events.
