• Unique coachbuilt Cooper Ss once owned by Fab Four members Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr
• Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the band’s first UK number one hit single
Later this month The London Classic Car Show will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Mini Cooper S in chart-topping style when all three surviving Minis originally owned by the Beatles are reunited for the very first time in 55 years.
This once in a generation display at Kensington, Olympia over the 24-26 February weekend, features the famed Minis of George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr; the last time all three icons were seen together in London was during rehearsals for the White Album way back in 1968.
Built in 1966 for each member of the band, these bespoke, coachbuilt Mini Coopers were styled to meet the band's individual needs – as illustrated by Ringo Starr’s Mini which features a hatchback (extremely rare for the time) to accommodate his drum kit.
Starr’s unique car, along with those presented to fellow ‘fab four’ band members, was ordered from revered British coachbuilding company Harold Radford & Co – pertinently then based just down the road from Olympia in South Kensington.
Lennon’s version sadly has failed the test of time but McCartney’s much-loved top spec 1275cc Cooper S is one of the three to be displayed at The London Classic Car Show. Among a long list of Radford upgrades, it has a pair of additional headlamps mounted within the grille, sliding sunroof and Aston Martin taillights as well as Aston Martin ‘California Sage Green’ paintwork.
George Harrison's personalised Mini was originally finished in black but he later decided to brighten its appearance with a full, flower-power, psychedelic makeover as featured in the Magical Mystery Tour movie.
Adding to the celebrations at The London Classic Car Show, the eye-catching display will coincide perfectly with George Harrison's 80th birthday as well as the 60th anniversary of both the Beatles’ debut album, Please Please Me, and the band’s first number one hit, From Me to You, which was recorded in March 1963 and reached the top of the UK charts just a couple of months later.
“We are beyond thrilled to announce our very special addition to The London Classic Car Show,” enthused Martin Clarke, Content Director of the event. “This truly is a once in a generation chance to see the last remaining Beatles Minis in all their glory – it’s certainly not to be missed by motoring and music fans alike!”
The London Classic Car Show will also be taking a look back on 70 years of the Corvette as part of its ‘Generations’ display, as well as the ‘Market Makers’, a discovery of the classic car industry’s top end models. But that’s not all – visitors will also get the low-down on the industry with interviews led by motoring legends and, day trippers on the Saturday will also be able to raise their hands in a live auction courtesy of Historics Auctioneers.
Offering exceptional value, adult admission to the Show in advance is priced at just £25 (plus booking fees). A limited number of exclusive Premium Experience tickets are also available for those seeking to enjoy The London Classic Car Show in style.
Full details of all ticket buying options – as well as the latest show news – can be found on the official theclassiccarshowuk.com website.
Image credit: ©Harrison Family
