WHERE BRITISH MOTOR MUSEUM, GAYDON WHEN 5TH SEPTEMBER 2021
The world’s first specific gathering for John Cooper Works MINI models took place at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon on 5 September 2021. Organised by JCW enthusiast Steve Gamblen, it was a day to celebrate these early JCW cars and revel in their style, gutsy performance and rarity. TheWorld-famous MINI designer Frank Stephenson was the guest-of-honour, along with former John Cooper Garages key staff, Chris Dawson and Tony Franks. These three acted as judges to choose three winning cars representing the most original, most modified, and best of show. Highlights for visitors included many John Cooper Works cars put together at the founding West Sussex HQ, plus a selection of final R53 GP models before the model range changed production to the R56. Other highlights from the days of ‘early logo’ John Cooper Works included seeing ex-MINI Challenge driver and former JCW Chief technician Kevin Fulbrook’s own race car. It was great to see cars used by JCW itself that featured in advertising, along with the test car driven by Richard Hammond on . Among those present on display, there were far greater numbers of authentic and genuine JCW badges on tailgates and grilles, JCW carbon parts, original Sparco and Recaro JCW seats, Aero body kits and many other choices of desirable options, with the Cooper S JCW 210hp and 200hp cars having the heaviest presence. Original Cooper Tuning Kit cars were the rarest built and the least common at the show, with Cooper Sound Kit cars bringing up the middle ground. Frank Stephenson’s iconic car design was shown very well in its many variants and all in one place at this inaugural event.
