Corgi Juniors 21-C; BVRT Vita-Min 1300 Mini-Cooper S; Metallic Purple

This is not poor modelling - it is an accurate model of a chopped racing Mini:

British Vita were one of the most successful A series tuning houses of the 60's. They were consistently innovative in their thinking and were responsible for "among other things" the first semi space framed Mini, the first 3.5 litre rear wheel drive Mini and the very first "weight saving" glassfibre flip up front end. Although they competed very successfully throughout the 60's in a whole range of motor sport both as "Works" Supported" entrants or in the later years as a full blown works team their finest season was that of 1968.

The car is a Vita-Min, a Mini - Minisprint with a BVRT 8 Port head and supercharged fuel injection. It is so quick that Jeff rarely gets out of second gear - & that's at 105 mph! This incredible little device undoubtedly the fastest Mini in the world - develops around 180 bhp @ the flywheel & weighs less than an F3 single seater. Jeff Goodliff is one of the 5 directors of British Vita racing. The others are Harry Ratcliffe (who drives the BVRT club racing 1300 'S' & was 1968's Northern saloon car champion), Jim Barnham, & two people from British Vita.

The chopping-down of the 1968 championship car (it was on display at the racing car show) has meant a move to the GT category, & it is running in the up to 1300cc class. Over the winter the Mini was completely gutted & the roof line lowered to within 3ft 6" of the ground. The back subframe was slung away, & a an A bracket/coil spring/ solid rear axle system as on Harry Ratcliffe's circuit car was built up for the rear. The front section is all fibreglass & where possible alloy has been substituted for steel body panels. Petrol tank, battery and all heavy parts have been moved to the front of the car to get all of the weight over the front 12". Minilites fitted with 7" Dunlop racing tyres. Grip is even more important than handling when climbing hills says Jeff is it wasn't for front wheel drive we would be in dire trouble - the back end lifts right off the road under extreme braking! (www.mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk)

This Corgi Small Scale was sourced in April 2017 from a private collection, it is missing its original paper stickers, the sticker on the roof features on several Matchbox toys