Can
there be something more perfect ? My favourite band and my
favourite car.
Not only did the Beatles produce excellent music, at least
according to me, they also had a great taste for cars; The
Mini.
The Beatles have all owned a Radford Mini, i.e. a Mini custom-build
by Harold Radford Coachbuilders Ltd. For years I'd wondered
what ever happened to these Mini's. Writing to Beatles-newgroups,
fanclubs, MPL, no matter what, I couldn't get any more info.
That was until I came across the Radford/Mini
de Ville website.
There was featured the Mini I was looking for, the psychedelic
painted Mini of what I thought was John Lennon's (turned out
it was George Harrison's). This Mini featured in the "Magical
Mystery Tour"-film. Furthermore, Mike, of the Radford/Mini
de Ville Register, had no problem providing me with more info
on the other Beatles Minis.
Brydor Cars was the company that bought most Beatles Minis.
Brian Epstein actually had a number of Minis himself bought
via this company. It was 'Brian Esptein Automobiles Ltd' and
traded as "Brydor Cars" in Hounslow. It was made up from Brian
and Doran. Terry Doran a car salesman was a long time friend
of Epstein from Liverpool and Brydor Cars was set up for Terry
with Brian as a silent partner, when Brian died and Apple
was set up Terry was appointed head of Apple Music. In the
80's Terry sold some of his things at auction and one was
the log with all the cars ever bougth by Brydor Cars and who
owned them but it did not sell.
Many of the pictures and info on these pages are courtesy
of Mike of the Radford/Mini
de Ville Register , Roger (the hat) Wall, who made
the 'psychedelic mini'-pictures at Goodwood and Barry Jarlett.
Also thanks to Scott, Mike Weaver and Keith Renton for providing
extra information. My sincere thanks to them for providing
me with the info and pictures.
© Arno
Kempers