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 Posted: Mar 8, 2021 01:29PM
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here's a couple pics of the dash @tothefloor 

 Posted: Mar 8, 2021 09:09AM
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Thats exactly how we feel about it too Spank, we're planning on "re-homing" this one as is. as our clients wish list of changes has grown it makes less and less sense to start with this car. We have other cars in inventory more suited to a classic-mod restoration. This one may get some 10's as we feel like the 12's look a little out of place but the goal is to get it to someone who likes it the way it is. 

 Posted: Mar 6, 2021 11:19AM
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 Even though it's possibly not SUPER special, I'd hate to see it changed. Lots of minis out there to make what you want. That one seems pretty tastefully done and I'm sure there are more people out there who'd rather have one like that than just a regular "classic style" mini. 

 Posted: Mar 5, 2021 11:07AM
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US
FYI This car is very likely registered as a 1965 in California. Search on '2000' 'Downton' 'Mini' for more information or go to this link:

https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1391562/1965-austin-mini-cooper-for-sale-in-newport-beach-california-92663

Kelley

"If you can afford the car, you can afford the manual..."

 Posted: Mar 5, 2021 09:33AM
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Hi 805minis.  If you get a chance could you please post a picture of the right hand side of the dash. 

Thanks
TO THE FLOOR 

 Posted: Mar 5, 2021 09:09AM
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Thanks guys, this is some helpful info. The current owner has sent us this car for modification, and we're having some heart burn with the idea of changing it. If all of the Downton cladding is essentially just stuck on stuff from a catalog then perhaps giving the car a new look isn't complete sacrilege. It is an extremely nice build, but the client doesn't like the rally motif, and would like the car changed to a more classic spec. If the car had some proper heritage we wouldn't want to change it, but if its just a nice Mini built by some guys in a shed then we wont feel too bad about giving it a refresh. 

 Posted: Mar 5, 2021 08:35AM
 Edited:  Mar 5, 2021 08:39AM
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I tried to send a few links to a friend but the links wouldn't work for him,  and he tried to get on MM directly but couldn't do that either.  This is what he sent me,

Hi Scott

Yes I do know that one and I have a lot of pictures from it. I think it was created by some one only as a tribute and to make some money from it.

The Mickleburg brothers who were the last owners who built Downton branded cars made this maybe on order. They wanted to do more of it but de company was sold in 2004 to a guy who did nothing with cars only branded items. 

Cheers Scott





 Posted: Mar 4, 2021 12:20PM
 Edited:  Mar 4, 2021 12:39PM
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US
Downton Engineering Works Ltd existed from 1947 to 1976 . In 1993 Stuart Michleburgh bought the name Downton Engineering Works Ltd and suppied mostly accessories and a few complete cars of which yours might be one. Reports are that most of the work was farmed out to others.

There have also been numerous uses of the Downton name by others over the years and the name has been attached to many Minis. Often literally just the name.

From a Mini Magazine list:

August 1997          Downton ClubSport N709MWV
September 1998    Downton ClubSport N171DRH
October 1999         Downton Sport40 T891KUK
September 2003     Downton Touring 8020MG
September 2004     Downton Retro N438FLD

Your car has no connection with the original Downton Engineering Works Ltd but may have connection with one of the later owners of the name. I have no knowledge of its value but hopefully this helps.

Kelley

"If you can afford the car, you can afford the manual..."

 Posted: Mar 4, 2021 09:29AM
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Does anybody have any info on whatever happened to Downton engineering? Defunct? Trying to get some additional info on a vehicle, which as far as i can tell, is one of, if not the very last vehicle built by Downton. It's a 2000 MPI tribute to the original Monte Carlo cars. The sun visor is signed by Paddy Hopkirk. Ive done a lot of googling and have reached out to downton on what is left of their website, but havent gotten much info on this car or its potential significance, if it has any. It was recently sold by Copley West, so all of the info I have is what their website says. #2 of 2 Commemorative edition cars built, overseen by Hopkirk, Finished in 2000. Would like to learn a little more about it.