A brief History of the ‘works’ prepared Mini Cooper (S) 24PK A very special ‘Privateer’ International Rally Result Table 1963 – 1964 – Mini Cooper ‘S’ – 24PK Date Event Result Drivers # March ’63 Lyon-Charboniere Retired – blown engine Peter Moon / Terry Hunter TBA April ’63 Circuit of Ireland Retired – broken halfshaft Peter Moon / Tony Hennin 15 April ’63 Tulip 41st Peter Moon / Mike Cotton 134 June ’63 Coupe des Alpes 1st Class 3 / 2nd overall GTC Peter Moon / Brian Culcheth 22 Nov. ’63 RAC Retired – gearbox Brian Culcheth / Tony Straker 63 May ’64 IOM Manx Crashed Peter Moon / John Davenport 01 Nov. ’64 RAC 2nd Autocar Trophy / 16th Overall Peter Moon / Brian Culcheth 30 Introduction I was very fortunate to acquire this unique vehicle some 3 years ago when it was sold – along with another icon GRX5D - from Tom Turkington’s Mini collection in Ireland to Sussex Sports Cars of Lewes. My reason for purchase was two fold – one, that given its rallying pedigree it remained a well sorted road car - and secondly, the opportunity to thoroughly research its 1960’s international rally history was compelling. No prior research had been attempted prior to purchase, as I had to make my mind up pretty quickly in order not to lose the opportunity. Therefore, once I started to make tentative enquires as to prior owners and competition history it very quickly became apparent that I had ‘struck lucky’. It was soon established that the original owner Sir Peter Moon was still of this world – as was his main co- driver Brian Culcheth (BMC works driver). Once contacted, Brian became my main contact for event and driver details and would go on to become a firm friend. The illusive Sir Peter Moon was finally tracked down living in Thailand, and as I write, my wife and I are to visit Peter in Bangkok on our way to Australia early next year, 2010. As with any historical record – there is no end – and I continue to meet like minded rally/Mini enthusiasts who just happen to have an odd photo of 24PK, or recall what happened on a particular event, that sets me off on yet another line of enquiry. Therefore, I am hoping I can set out this record as a form of journal that can be added to as further information comes to light. 24PK – A very special ‘Privateer’ 24PK was purchased new in 1963 by Sir Peter Moon – a flamboyant rally privateer – from friends Barrie and Terry Burns who ran and operated a dealership at the Fox Garage near Bisley in Surrey. The garage has been operated and managed by Barrie’s son, Simon Burns for the past 20 years. Barrie sadly passed away some years ago but his wife Jill recalls Sir Peter Moon and his exploits, and the rally guys that met there during the early 60’s. Barrie Burns outside original 60’s Fox Garage Fox Garage - 2009 Peter Moon recalls….. Terry, the eldest son ran sales and Barrie ran the workshop. They were both rally people - and at the time and I did the Scottish rally with Terry in his MGB. Terry got me the number 24PK from Kingston County Hall – I had hoped for 24PM but this was the only one available. It was as you know an Austin Cooper and it was red. Barrie took on the rally preparation for me at the time I bought it - and because I already had an ex works Healey, drove a Mini as my road car, and already liking the BMC boys- I went with the Mini. The total cost of the then prepared car I believe was under £500.00 – I also used it as my road car for a lot of the time. The car was prepared to ‘Abingdon works’ specification with a 997cc engine unit built by Don Moore (Automobile Engineer) of Cambridge - who was without doubt recognised as the best tuner of Minis during the 1960’s – building units for the likes of John Whitmore & Cristabel Carlisle. Don was a very unassuming man and many rally professionals expected Don to be made BMC’s Competition Department’s ‘tuner of choice’ - but for some reason this never happened. Brian Culcheth (BMC & Opel works driver) when commenting on his ’63 RAC drive with 24PK recalled……….’After 10 stages we were leading our class from Logan Morrison in the ‘works’ Mini when we lost 2nd gear. Disaster struck midway through the night when the gearbox gave up. Our engine had been prepared by Don Moore of Cambridge – and although Don did not get the ultimate in power, his engines had fantastic torque which enabled me to do so well without 2nd gear. When at last I got into the ‘works’ team I always asked for a ‘Don Moore’ engine. I enjoyed driving 24PK more than any other Mini as it handled so well – I think the 997cc engine was the perfect combination of power and weight distribution’. John Sprinzel at Lancaster Mews – 1963 At the same time, Peter Moon was as regular visitor to the UK rally fraternity, most of whom were working from lock-up garages in London’s Lancaster Mews – a triangle shaped alleyway off the Bayswater Road. The likes of John Sprinzel of Speedwell fame & all things BMC, Giulio Ramponi –once the elder Ascari’s mechanic & all thing Alfa – Tony Hennin, Les Perrott – to name a few. Tony Hennin – an automotive electrical engineer - and a close friend of Peter Moon – undertook 24PK’s wiring – setting up its bank of ancillary lamps which it still wears today. Peter’s recollection of the above photo: The photo of John Sprinzel seems to be a staff photo without himself as he stood very tall. I recognise the person with the tie as his accountant Philip and also Leonora Millington who was Tony Hennins girl friend. The ancillary lamps on 24 PK when I sold it were fitted by Cliff Humphries and Den Green with a full Works wiring loom in preparation for the 1964 R.A.C. You might have seen the photo in January's Classic & Sports Car of the B.M.C.'s Compt. Team most of whom had at some time helped me with servicing or advice on rallies or at Abingdon including foremen Tommy Wellman (who's home I had stayed at pre rally testing before), Dougie Watts, Doug Hamblin (who I originally talked to about the preparation deal on my cars with Den and Cliff, unfortunately he was killed in a road accident on his way out to join the Monte in 1964 and I heard the sad news while doing ice notes with Logan and Stuart in Gap.) I last saw a lot of them at a pub near High Wycombe in 1998 for a Noggin and Natter. I believe the drinks club was called The Stable and I frequented it on occasions with the Interior Silent Travel people who also did work in the Mews. Richard Grant and his father were directors and Peter Rose did the London fitting in the mews. Lancaster Mews – 2009 The Mitre Pub – Lancaster Mews – 2009 Lancaster Mews today is a very different place – hardly any business activity survives – having been almost totally gentrified with smart residences – geranium boxes above and garages below! When I contacted John Sprinzel recently regarding information on Tony Hennin & Don Abrams premises in Lancaster Mews, he recalled……….. ‘Tony ran a small business doing rally car electrics - quite a clever idea in those days, when the only alternative was getting the Lucas Comp department to do the work. He always seemed very busy and was an excellent workman. Don used to work for me for some years as a race mechanic, then joined Tony for a while. They were in the other leg of the Mews to the one you depict. Tony had taken over the premises from the lads who ran Fibrepair, making seats for me, and also quite a neat fast back hardtop for Spitfires. They couldn't make it pay though, so I took it over for a while, and then passed the business on to the Car Hood Company, who also started in our Mews, and used to trim seats and stuff for me. I took over their premises at numbers 30 and, I think 23, in the mid sixties when they moved to another West London Mews for a much larger place. I don't recall seeing 24pk there, although Peter Moon was a good friend of ours and Tony's and was often in the Mews. I do remember going out with Peter to practice an RAC stage in the Mini, and we bagged quite a few pheasants with the low front number plate! His road car at that time was a Gordon Keeble, as best I can remember. I will be going through my photo boxes in a week or two, and will see if I have any Mews pictures taken back in the day’. In addition, John kindly drew from memory a detailed hand written plan of the mews in the 1960’s – indicating an astounding variety of automotive businesses – along with a school, 2 brothels & an office cleaning company. And so to 24PK’s rally career: 1963 Lyon-Charbonniere Rally Terry Hunter re-united with 24PK - 2009 24PK first campaigned on the ‘63 Lyon-Charboniere rally driven by Peter Moon & Terry Hunter. Unfortunately this initial rally was short lived – the engine expiring at the start of the Solitude Ring Circuit race. I have not as yet been able to locate any photo’s or reports of this event – but Peter Moon recalled: ’I also entered 24 PK in the Lyon Charboniere Solitude rally, I remember driving to the Geneva Motor Show and picking up Terry Hunter who was driving with me.