Footnotes

• The Mini was the standout motoring icon of the 1960s, so it was only to be expected that that era's defining popular music act – The Beatles – would all own examples of Alec Issigonis' motoring masterpiece. But while it is relatively easy to carry your guitar around in a Mini, a set of drums is another matter entirely, and it is said that Ringo stipulated that his must be able to accommodate a drum kit, making it different from those purchased for the other members of the 'Fab Four'. The solution to the lack-of-space/accessibility problem was a hatchback conversion, which coachbuilder Harold Radford was offering as an option on its up-market Mini de Ville GT, introduced in October 1965.
  Radford was not the only firm offering modified and upgraded Minis at this time. Another was Hooper & Co, widely acknowledged as Britain's finest coachbuilder until parent company BSA ended its body-building activities at the end of 1959 and reconstituted it as Hooper (Motor Services) Ltd, which acted as a sales and service company. Nevertheless, Hooper seems to have 'kept its hand in' by modifying cars for a select band of customers, including actor Peter Sellers who is known to have commissioned a special Mini from them. 'LLO 836D' carries Radford and Hooper badges, suggesting input from both companies.
  Like all of The Beatles' Minis, 'LLO 836D' was purchased new by band manager Brian Epstein's company, to which it was first registered in May 1966. Its registration number is in the same sequence as that of Paul McCartney's Aston Martin DB6 ('LLO 840D'), which presumably was purchased at the same time. Registration passed to Richard Starkey (Ringo's actual name) on 15th June 1967, and he kept the car until it was sold in December 1968. Nothing is known of its subsequent history until 1977, when the ex-Starr Mini was purchased by the current owner's father.
  While in the latter's ownership, 'LLO 836D' appeared on the BBC Television programme 'Blue Peter' in February 1984, being described as the 'Rolls-Royce of Minis', and in March of that same year went on display at the 'Beatle City' exhibition in Liverpool. In August 1987, the Mini went on display in Dallas, Texas when the 'Beatle City' exhibition transferred to the USA, and following its return home was restored by Naylor Brothers in 1990/1991. In 1998, Ringo's Mini won the coveted Cartier 'Style et Luxe' concours award at the Goodwood 'Festival of Speed', and three years later – in 2001 – was featured in BBC TV's flagship motoring show, 'Top Gear'. Motoring magazines have listed the car's many unique features as:
  
  Bonnet vents
  Extended wheelarches
  Manx alloy wheels
  De-seamed bodyshell
  Waso fuel filler caps
  Bespoke window frames and quarter lights
  Webasto sunroof
  Hooper and Radford badges
  Triple ancillary gauges
  Rev counter
  Cigar lighter
  MotoLita steering wheel on Mark II column
  Internal bonnet release
  Walnut dashboard and door cappings
  Folding rear seat
  Door handles
  Electric windows
  Etched Sundym glass (side windows)
  Huntmaster reclining seats
  Driving lamps (individually switchable)
  Benolite grille
  Morris 1100 indicators
  Door warning lights
  VW 'Beetle' rear lights
  Cibié headlights in Innocenti rims
  
  The car is expected to be freshly MoT'd prior to sale, and we are advised that some additional re-commissioning of the electrics will be required. Finished in two-tone Rolls-Royce Regal Red/silver-grey, this fabulous piece of Beatles-related motoring history is offered with sundry restoration invoices, a V5 Registration Certificate, and the original logbook signed by both Brian Epstein and Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr).