Author Topic: Racing Ennui #279 Formula Mini Plus (or FMP) by John Houghton  (Read 336 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Otto Puzzell

  • Founder and
  • Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 31556
  • Country: us
  • Puzzle Points 444
  • Open field, with a window.
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
    • AutoPuzzles
Racing Ennui #279 Formula Mini Plus (or FMP) by John Houghton
« on: August 03, 2012, 04:45:30 AM »
This one looks like a load of fun to drive.  

For one point: identify the builder and type designation of this race car.  

Only a complete and specific answer will earn a point!  

If you haven't registered yet, you need to do so in order to reply.  You can do so by clicking here.

If you have not done so, please familiarize yourself with the AutoPuzzles Rules before attempting to solve this puzzle.
« Last Edit: August 14, 2012, 11:55:43 AM by Otto Puzzell »
You wanna be the man, you gotta Name That Car!

Offline Otto Puzzell

  • Founder and
  • Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 31556
  • Country: us
  • Puzzle Points 444
  • Open field, with a window.
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
    • AutoPuzzles
Re: Racing Ennui #279
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2012, 02:45:38 AM »
Racing to the Experts
You wanna be the man, you gotta Name That Car!

Offline Oswald

  • Expert
  • *
  • Posts: 525
  • Country: nl
  • Puzzle Points 208
  • Acolyte
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
Re: Racing Ennui #279
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2012, 08:39:17 AM »
This is a picture of my own collection depicting John Houghton's 'Black Lawnmower' - a Mini powered track toy of 1968/1969 vintage.
It's as much fun to scare as to be scared

Offline Otto Puzzell

  • Founder and
  • Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 31556
  • Country: us
  • Puzzle Points 444
  • Open field, with a window.
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
    • AutoPuzzles
Re: Racing Ennui #279
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2012, 09:00:17 AM »
Right builder, but besides the nickname you've given, it's called ______________ ?
You wanna be the man, you gotta Name That Car!

Offline Oswald

  • Expert
  • *
  • Posts: 525
  • Country: nl
  • Puzzle Points 208
  • Acolyte
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
Re: Racing Ennui #279
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2012, 05:45:33 AM »
Despite the stickers, I don't believe this is a Biota if that's what you mean.
It is a Special built by the man who happened to be Biota's boss.
It's as much fun to scare as to be scared

Offline Otto Puzzell

  • Founder and
  • Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 31556
  • Country: us
  • Puzzle Points 444
  • Open field, with a window.
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
    • AutoPuzzles
Re: Racing Ennui #279
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2012, 06:03:24 AM »
Need the name
You wanna be the man, you gotta Name That Car!

Offline Oswald

  • Expert
  • *
  • Posts: 525
  • Country: nl
  • Puzzle Points 208
  • Acolyte
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
Re: Racing Ennui #279
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2012, 10:33:08 AM »
I guess you mean Biota Midget.
It's as much fun to scare as to be scared

Offline sixtee5cuda

  • Professional
  • *
  • Posts: 5917
  • Country: us
  • Puzzle Points 425
  • Mopar Man
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
Re: Racing Ennui #279
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2012, 10:58:29 AM »
Perhaps "Biota Formula Mini"?  For a racing series called "Formula Mini Plus" or FMP.

(The left side looks much more interesting)
« Last Edit: August 14, 2012, 12:42:03 PM by sixtee5cuda »

Offline Otto Puzzell

  • Founder and
  • Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 31556
  • Country: us
  • Puzzle Points 444
  • Open field, with a window.
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
    • AutoPuzzles
Re: Racing Ennui #279
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2012, 11:54:10 AM »
Formula Mini Plus (or FMP) is what I was after.


"Biota Formula Mini Plus, or FMP. It was actually named Formula Mini Plus, or FMP, and the idea came from Biota instigator John Houghton. Houghton had been racing in a Hot Car sponsored Midget competition with a home grown Mini based car that he'd christened 'The Black Lawnmawer' with some success. It sparked the idea for a race class with more like minded. A prototype race car was built up around a 90bhp A series engine in its Mini subframe at the front, coupled to a simple chassis with four fibreglass body sections. Things looked good for low cost racing and Houghton offered replica's for budding race drivers. But negotations with RAC Competitions Department lead to nothing and the class was banned from racing before it ever hit the tracks. This was 1971"

Since Oswald got the builder a point for each of you.
« Last Edit: August 14, 2012, 11:56:32 AM by Otto Puzzell »
You wanna be the man, you gotta Name That Car!

Offline Oswald

  • Expert
  • *
  • Posts: 525
  • Country: nl
  • Puzzle Points 208
  • Acolyte
  • YearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYearsYears
Re: Racing Ennui #279 Formula Mini Plus (or FMP) by John Houghton
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2012, 07:45:39 AM »
Right. Formula Mini Plus was the name of the championship.
It's as much fun to scare as to be scared