We’ve looked at a few modern speedsters in previous episodes on the topic, as the concept is evergreen, very adaptable to contemporary tastes, and examples abound. The following companies serve very different markets, yet they both embody that speedster spirit that draws us to these crazy machines.
Mini-Remake
1959 Morris Mini-Minor. No, this is not a speedster…. Wikimedia image courtesy De Facto
Dierk Mengers had a passion for a tiny British car that was appropriately named the “Mini.” Alec Issigonis had designed the original Mini in 1959 for British Motor Corporation, and BMC had licensed its production to Morris Motors, Austen, and a host of others, including Innocenti in Italy. In 1999 it was voted the second most influential car of the twentieth century after the Ford Model T; the Mini was known as “the little car that could!”
Dierk Mengers and his 3-wheeler Mini. all Mengers images courtesy Mengers Special Cars GMBH
In 1966 Dierk Mengers purchased a Morris Mini Mark 1. With an engine displacing 850cc, this was not exactly a torque monster, but those who have driven Minis—those who have dared to go ten-tenths in them—know that to own a Mini means that you are King of the Curves. Plus, you can upgrade the engine to a honking 1.2 liters and really dominate at the local track. And, to prove a point, you could stuff just about as many people (or supplies) into a Mini as you could fit Daleks into Dr. Who’s Tardis (his time-travel machine).
From a poster: “50 years of Dr. Who.” Note the Tardis wobbling in space-time and a Dalek Exterminator seen in a lower panel. The interior of the Tardis, like an original Mini, was just about limitless and defied space norms. image courtesy Vulture.com
As in many cases, passion grew into a business, and Mengers at some point established his factory in Oldenburg, Germany to remake and restyle classic Minis, whose model line ended in 2000 when BMW took over the original brand.
No bother, as Dierk and his crew at Mengers Special Cars Gmbh have designed six bespoke models for the classic Mini platform. We will mention a few to illustrate their talent.
Mengers Beach Mini. Kinda nifty, eh?
The original Beach Mini was a small-batch production of beach buggies made in 1962 to compete directly with the cute little Fiat Jolly. Both the Beach Mini and the Fiat Jolly were whimsical in design and execution; both were limited production, made chiefly for those who sport cravats and own large yachts. Since both cars continue to stir strong emotions in modern-day sailors, they each command astronomical prices when made available at auction. Say, $180-sumpin’ thousand for an original Beach Mini or a Jolly? Ouch!
Mengers, however, has replicated the Beach Mini in a new and improved form, with a stiffened chassis and a larger engine, plus—the Mengers version costs but a fraction of what an original would require. Need a yacht tender that you can afford? This Mengers could be your cuppa tea!
Mengers Mini Truck. Kinda handy, eh?
And, when’s the last time you tried to park your F-150 in a Whole Foods parking lot with their eensy-weensy parking spaces? Well, Mengers’ little truck is the perfect answer to that problem. The Mengers Pickup truck will haul your stuff and allow you to park it in those modern parking slots for that latte that you so desperately need.
Mengers Speedy Roadster. This could be you in the photo, about to nick it for a spin!
We just knew that this company had vision, and sure enough, they produced a speedster! The Mengers Speedy Roadster is just the thing to take out into the twisties for a romp on a sunny day. There’s room for two with a picnic basket in the boot. Let’s go!
In addition to the above, Mengers has other redesigns of the Mini that present a 21st-century solution to those who want something smaller yet still useful. Plus, Mengers offers parts and support for the classic Minis that were once produced yet are still loved by thousands of Mini fans across the world.
Four Mini Classics.
I myself prefer the Mini Moke. Which one is your favorite?
Ares the Warrior
Ares, as we all know from our high school lit classes, was the Greek god of war. Dark, brooding, smoldering attitude—you get it, I’m sure. Well, now there’s a company who have assimilated that name!
Ares Design, Modena factory. all Ares images courtesy Ares Design
Ares Modena considers itself to be a design/build shop with all of the tools necessary in its “smart factory” to build whatever mode of terrestrial transport that a client may want. This includes, but is not limited to, e-bikes, remade classic motorcars and motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and, of course, sports cars. Do you have a particular wish and the means to fulfill it? Well, this is just the company for you!
Ares produced a proprietary hypercar design known as the S1 in 2022. As seen in the photos below, it is a 21st century classic in understated design, somewhat resembling a Mclaren F1 as well as a host of other speed cars of this nature.
Ares S1, various angles.
To accompany its roofed version, Ares has also created an Ares Speedster that is breath-taking, to say the least. Armed with a 6.1-liter direct injection Corvette powerplant and coupled to an eight-speed dual clutch transmission, this road warrior promises everything that a speedster should. And yes, it will be expensive!
Ares Speedster, various perspectives.
Both cars will come with an aluminum chassis and carbon fiber body panels. Wheelbase is 2722 mm, width 2009 mm, height 1214 mm; track and other important details are yet to be specified.
Well, at least they have nice promotional photos….
Post Break
After working diligently for the past four years, I’ve come to my 100th post about my favorite car, the speedster. It’s been a long and fun journey of discovery for me, and I hope that you have been both informed and entertained by my research. I’ve enjoyed being there with you. Remember that you can always revisit any post—just look to the right and you’ll see them listed by date.
In addition to the above, I also finished my 10-year writing project, Classic Speedsters, and published a hardback version of it in 2021. You can purchase your copy of it on my website, ClassicSpeedsters.com, or on Amazon.com if you prefer. It’s a great read; go get yourself a copy!
I’m planning to produce a fixed-format ebook version of Classic Speedsters to accommodate those who would prefer reading a computer screen to a physical book. I hope to have news of that for you all in 2023.
Meanwhile, it’s time for me to focus on other writing projects and get ‘er done while the sun is still in my sky. I’ll have some news to share about what I’m up to, and I’ll let you know what’s what as I get to that point. Look out for an email newsletter coming from me; the subject line will be “News from Steering Wheel Press.” So, in the meantime,
… go drive that speedster!
