1993 Rover Mini Cooper 1.3i as replica of 1994 Monte Carlo entry L33 EJB MkVI [ADO20]
![1993 Rover Mini Cooper 1.3i as replica of 1994 Monte Carlo entry L33 EJB MkVI [ADO20]](/i001843430.jpg)
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Comments about this vehicle
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◊ 2023-11-19 13:29 |
Reg no. L333EJB Make & Model ROVER COOPER 1.3i Date of first registration August 1993 Year of manufacture 1993 Cylinder capacity 1275 cc (46 kW) Export marker No Vehicle status SORN (MOT expires 18 August 2024) Vehicle colour RED |
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◊ 2023-11-19 16:17 |
Can't fully confirm L333 EJB's story and explain its livery, but it's connected to the 94 Monte, where 4 Group A Mini Coopers were entered with factory support. The star car was #37 for Paddy Hopkirk/Ron Crellin with L33 EJB plate, invoking the famous 1964 victory (#37, Paddy Hopkirk/Henry Liddon, 33 EJB). Another evocative recreation was prepared for Rover Japan (L66 LBL, Timo Makinen/Paul Easter) recreating their 1967 entry - less famous as it only finished 41st (but LBL 6D Aaltonen/Liddon famously won). Makinen/Easter had won in 1965 (#52, AJB 44B) and 1966 (#2, GRX 55D) although were then disqualified in 66 in possibly the biggest scandal to ever hit rallying. So their entry had pedigree, but L66 LBL was stolen 3 days before the event and they had to use a back-up car on the event (L408 AUE, #101) which had been prepared as an intended 5th entry but then cancelled. Neither of the other 2 entries had significant plates. The point of this meander is that L333 EJB may well have been another back-up car, particularly with the themed plate and with #37 and Monte plaques is clearly presented as a replica. |
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◊ 2023-11-20 00:16 |
![[Image: vlcsnap-2023-11-20-04h15m27s327.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/23898/23/vlcsnap-2023-11-20-04h15m27s327.jpg) |
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◊ 2023-11-20 02:48 |
We've got a red L33 EJB here, apparently 1993 footage when the plate was on the first Mini prepared for the 94 event and used for advance recce/test/development work. It then donated L33 EJB to a brand new build which Hopkirk/Crellin used and is now apparently in a Japanese collection. Meanwhile the first L33 EJB-plated car became K33 EJB (briefly) and then K764 VKM with which it ran on the 94 Monte as #40 (Philippe Camandona/Francine Camandona) finishing 96th. And I've now found a reference that 5 team cars were built for the 4 planned entries. The emergency replacement of the stolen L66 LBL with L408 LUE (as above account) may not be the 5th car, as one account says it was only part built when the emergency fit out started so needed huge amount of work in the 3 days available. So maybe L333 EJB was actually the 5th team car?? But a lot of ifs, buts and maybes to juggle with ... |
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◊ 2024-04-29 15:07 |
L333 EJB now solved from new info: it was not a Monte team car, but built afterwards in spring 94 as a precise customer replica of L33 EJB by Brigden Motorsports (who had been involved in L33 EJB project) on a 6-month old Cooper L283 APL (registered Aug 93) and exhibited at various 1994 events. John Brigden later sourced the L333 EJB plate which was transferred onto L283 APL - apparently only officially confirmed from Aug 97. |
