Mini specialist fits Falken tyres on ex-Beatles custom model

Ringo Starr with his highly customised Mini (Photo: ANL/Shutterstock)

With more than 30 years’ experience, Andy ‘Ace’ Harrison is amongst the UK’s foremost specialists in the original Mini. Harrison has repaired, raced, rallied, restored, bought, and sold all types of Mini via his Acespeed business in Shipley, Yorkshire. As one of the world’s leading authorities on Minis, it is no surprise that one particularly iconic Mini found its way back to Harrison, as its famous new owner sought to restore the model.

In 1966, each member of The Beatles was handed a customised Mini by the band’s manager Brian Epstein. Luxury coachbuilder, Harold Radford & Co. retooled the body, and fitted the cars with desirable extras, such as alloy wheels and a luxurious interior including a walnut dash, electric windows, reclining seats and a sunroof.

Ringo Starr’s car went one step further, packing a specific feature that made his just a little more special for the time. As the drummer, he asked that his Mini be capable of carrying his full drum kit in the rear; no mean feat for three-metre-long car. It led Radford to incorporate a folding rear seat and, decades before the Mini had one, a rear hatch.

Registered in Ringo’s real name (Richard Starkey) in June ‘67, LLO836D was owned by the star until December the following year. Harrison knew the car. It had already passed through the Acespeed workshop when it received some remedial work with a previous owner. Now owned by another pop icon, Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls, Harrison was again entrusted with undertaking a rigorous recommission of the highly original condition.

With body, engine and interior now up to scratch, Harris focussed on the details that included sourcing the correct Cosmic alloys and Falken Tyres. “Falken and Minis go hand in hand,” says Harrison. “I’ve trusted them on my road and race Minis so when it came to picking tyres for Ringo’s car, there was only one brand I was going to opt for.” As well as being available in the correct 145/80/10 size, Harrison says the look and feel of Falken’s Sincera SN807 tyre complements the Mini perfectly. “For me, the best handling Mini is one fitted with the 145-width tyre – it makes the car. The Falken is ideal for providing the right grip and feedback but it also looks right; not over bulbous like some others.”

Andy ‘Ace’ Harrison (Photo: Acespeed)

Harrison’s faith in the Japanese tyre is not just limited to the period Minis. He has opted for the rubber for the AcespeedR new build; bespoke Minis built to a customer’s ideal specification. In essence, the AcespeedR is a brand new classic Mini where colour, trim and engine performance choice mean you can have the Mini you always wanted. “They just suit the car so well; I’ll use Falken wherever I can.”

Going forward, Harrison has exciting new projects to ensure the Mini stays as relevant for the next 60 years and plans to include Falken tyres there, too. “2020 has been a strange year but Acespeed has grown to offer more services and car sales. Our team has expanded to six people and through our increasing exposure on YouTube and the reputation of our road and race cars, we continue to expand. That means we’ve got some very exciting builds planned in 2021, taking the Mini to the next level,” concludes Harrison. “Despite a changing world, the Mini is a car that you will always be able to rely on!”