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INTRODUCTION
Ringo
Starr has owned a Radford Mini.
LL0 836D was registered on May 5th, 1966. Brian Epstein
bought the Mini originally, and the next owner shown in
the logbook was Richard Starkey, who took posession of
it on June 15th, 1967.
The owner has the log book with Ringo's name in it and
it is a Radford, but was probably (re)built by Hooper.
He had the car from Brian Epstein who owned a few Hooper
Minis.
The reason that Brian Epstein's name is possibly on the
log books of Beatle's minis is that he started a dealership
with Terry Doran, called BryDor, which was used to get
the Beatles cars at trade prices, with the caveat that
other famous stars would come to them because the Beatles
did. Terry Doran is also referred to obliquely in the
song "She's Leaving Home" on Sgt. Pepper. He is the "Man
from the Motor Trade" (thanks to Steve
Dix for this info).
I also have the picture above of Ringo with one of the
Works Rally Minis, 18 CRX, contender in the 1964 Monte
Carlo Rally.. the story behind this is that Ringo missed
his flight when the Beatles were performing in Paris in
January 1964. Ringo arrived a day late at Le Bourget Airport,
and Stuart Turner was there to meet him in a Monte Cooper.
Stuart Turner then dropped Ringo off at the George V hotel
in Paris where the Beatles were staying. (source: Beatles
Monthly Book No.8). Also thanks to Ian Backhouse for sending
me large copy of the pic.).
It
is said that it was a hatchback because it had to carry
Ringo's drums. After two years, it was sold again. After
a short spell at the Beatle City museum in Liverpool,
it ended up in the hands of Naylor Brothers Restoration,
who restored the Mini to what it is now. ( info from Practical
Classics, February 1992 ).
It
is now owned by Steve Smith although rumour is he sold
it again.
Ringo's
Mini now has an official site: http://www.ringosmini.com
INTERESTING FACTS / STORIES
Roger
Hopkins of Wokingam used to work for Ringo doing odd jobs
and looking after his house at Weybridge Sunney Heights.
Roger lived in a caravan on the property. He and his girlfriend,
Iris, whom he later married, used to socialize sometimes
with Ringo and Maureen. Roger writes:
Ringo was quite a funny sort of bloke. I remember I was
in the kitchen and heard him shouting out for me, so I
went to see what he wanted. He asked me to go and fill
the mini up as he was going out. As I did not have any
money on me, I said to Ringo, "What shall I fill it up
with?" After a few seconds, he said, "Milk" I looked at
him a bit puzzled. Then he burst out laughing and gave
me a tenner.
Source:
http://web2.airmail.net/gshultz/vox2.html
From the NME, 20th May 1966:
Their stock of cars has depleted by the sale of the Roll-Royce;
Ringo: "But I still own a Facel Vega, which I take
when I'm driving some distance, a Super-Mini for when
we're going into town but usually somewhere a bit special,
and an ordinairy Mini for just popping about."
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