First production Mini to star in Queen’s birthday parade

The first production Mini Minor will be one of 90 special British cars to feature in the Queen’s 90^th birthday parade on Saturday, 15 October.

The line-up will include the most iconic vehicles of the British Motor Industry during the last 90 years - all will be lined up on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace and will be inspected by Prince Michael of Kent on behalf of Her Majesty.

The earliest model taking part will be a 1926 Bullnose Morris Oxford Tourer -  the last is 2016 Jaguar F-Pace. Also included are a 1952 AEC Regent 111, several sports-racing cars, a DeLorean DMC 12, police cars, plus five Second World War vehicles. Each vehicle was made in a specific year of Her Majesty's life.  

The Mini Minor from the British Motor Museum left the Cowley line on 8 May 1959 with the registration plate 621 AOK. Designed by Alec Issigonis, the car had its engine installed transversely with the gearbox in the sump and featured front wheel drive. Its price from new was £537 and its top speed was 72mph. The car will be driven in the Parade by Martin Williams, one of the mechanics at the British Motor Museum.

The Parade is being organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Motor Group and The All-Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group and promises to the very best of the British motor industry.

To find out more about the British Motor Museum visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.