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Description
The Competitions Department of BMC at Abingdon was the hub of the highly successful BMC and later BL race and rally teams, operating during one of the most exciting eras of motorsport. They used a BMC transporter, registered BMC 34, for carrying two classic Mini Coopers to the Salzburgring circuit.
The transporter is decorated in bright red with a white upper body and lots of gleaming chrome work. The BMC lettering is printed along the sides and across the rear doors in blue/white including the famous BMC rosette emblem. The interior features a cream partition between the driver's cabin and the section carrying the cars.
The rear doors on this model open to house the two Mini Coopers. No. 30 represents the car registered 666D of John Rhodes, whose name appears along each side of the bonnet. The red car with white roof proudly bears the colourful sponsorship stickers along each side of the body. No. 31 is John Handley's car registered LRX 827E, also red with a white roof and emblazoned with sponsorship stickers.
John Rhodes was a rally driver, as well as a Formula One and sports car racer. He is best known for his exploits in the Mini Cooper S, which he raced to victory in numerous events in the mid-1960s.
He began his rallying career in 1965, and quickly established himself as one of the top drivers in the sport. He won the British Rally Championship in 1966 and 1967, and also finished second in the European Rally Championship in 1966.
He was also a successful international rally driver. He competed in the World Rally Championship on several occasions, and finished second in the Rallye Monte Carlo in 1969. He also won the Targa Florio in 1966, partnered with Timo Mäkinen.
He retired from rallying in 1973, but continued to race in historic events for many years. He is still revered by rally fans today, and is considered to be one of the greatest Mini drivers of all time. Green John Rhodes Mini here.
John Handley was born in England in 1945 and competed in rallies from the late 1960s to the early 1990s. He was known for his skill and determination, and was one of the most successful British rally drivers of his era.
He began his rallying career in 1968, driving a Morris Mini Cooper S and quickly rose through the ranks.In 1970 he won the British Saloon Car Championship class A title. He also competed in the European Touring Car Championship, finishing second in 1971.
In the early 1970s, he switched to driving a Ford Escort RS1800. He finished third in the British Rally Championship in 1973, and second in 1974. In 1975, he won the Rally of Great Britain, becoming the first British driver to do so.
He continued to compete in rallies throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Finishing second in the British Rally Championship in 1978 and 1979, and third in 1983. He also competed in the World Rally Championship on several occasions, finishing fourth in the 1981 Rally of the Costa Smeralda and fifth in the 1982 Rally of Finland.
He retired from rallying in 1993
Update Note Taff. Over the years I have bumped into BMC25 a few times, first at The Goodwood Revival in 2014 where it was in a Bonhams auction. I had this thought that I could buy it, but it went for over £90,000 as I recall, so I gave that one a miss! In 2016 it returned again, but this time the registration plate showed YFO 898, the reserve was not met and the bidding stopped at £48,000. The pictures shown are images I took form back then.
BMC25 was in service from the early 1960's. Reliveried as the BMC Advanced Driving School 76BMC001. Then to Birmingham University for attendance at accidents, to improve vehicle safety. In the mid 1970's it was owned by Harris Holiday Travel 76BMC004. Then we think that was when it was purchased and rebuilt as a copy of our BMC34 liveried model.
These are 1:76 scale models, they come on a plinth with a clear lid and Oxford Diecast wrap. The two minis can be removed from the plinth and fit inside the transporter.
Dimensions and Weights
Packed: 19.3cm x 11.9cm x 6.9cm ( L x W x H )
Unpacked: 11.5cm x 3.3cm x 4cm ( L x W x H )
Minis 4cm in length. Transporter 11cm length.
Dimensions excludes shipping carton. Packed item comes on plinth with case.
Scale
1:76 scale means that this is 76 times smaller than the full sized vehicle(s)
For a much more detailed explanation of scale and the history please follow this link.
