Automobiles BMC: The ‘Mini Dream Factory’

Have you ever seen rows of shelving, four storeys high and the length of a gymnasium, all full of Minis? And does the expression ‘Shorting Break’ mean anything to you? If not, you need to visit French Mini specialist ‘Automobiles BMC’...

François Windeck, Managing Director of Automobiles BMC, has been working in the automotive business for over 25 years. Visitors to his 2,500sqm facility in Vienne, near Lyon, are first met by the sight of a giant-size London phone box, and once through the doors are rarely disappointed by the scope and sheer ‘Mini-ness’ of the whole operation.

Under one roof, Mini enthusiasts will find everything to make their Mini-centred lives complete. Old and rare parts, new parts and more than 200 Minis serving as donor vehicles: all are carefully catalogued and stored.

Automobiles BMC: The ‘Mini Dream Factory’

At the in-house workshops, service, repairs and restorations are carried out to ensure your Mini is exactly how you want it. Full restoration to ‘as-new’ condition or customisation – the choice is yours.

And for those truly looking for something different, there is the ‘Shorting Break’ conversion…

Using a saloon as a base, the company fabricates a new split tailgate in the style of the (new) Clubman and (old) Countryman.

Racing and performance-oriented Mini fans will appreciate Automobiles BMC’s tuning and race-preparation division. Cars can be stripped down for racing with improved suspension and a roll-cage, or just tuned for fast road or rally work. A typical example is the orange Innocenti Mini Cooper 1380cc you see here, ready to go for this year’s competition season.

Automobiles BMC: The ‘Mini Dream Factory’