Jimini Kitcar & Model Club: History of Jimini Kit Cars
Now, just to clear up a point, as far as the Jimini Kitcar & Model Club is aware, the majority of Jimini's have been supplied as kits and built by their owners. We believe very very few have been supplied "Turn-key" especially the later Jimini II. This is just to clarify any confusion about Jimini's and Mini Mokes. Mokes were a full production car that were never supplied as a Kit. Produced in Britian, Australia and Portugal at various times. Jimini's are kit cars, only ever produced in Great Britain. One could say, the Jimini is the more 'British' of the two? I couldn't possibly comment.
I think most of the confusion here was really the result of lazy, uninterested motoring journalists in the early days of the kitcar market. If it had no roof and an engine from a Mini, it was a Moke! It seems it was as simple as that. Because the majority of the public accepted what these so-called 'experts' said was the 'gospel truth' it is easy to see where the misunderstandings originated. These journalists had a responsibility to report accurately and emphasise the differences, but they seemed to think the old adage "A picture paints a thousand words" would suffice and in the 70's a few poor quality black and white publicity shots would be enough to show the kitcar to the world with maybe a couple of hundred words. Fortunately, todays market place is more demanding and most journo's know how to write and use photgraphs to maximum effect. So, on with the show....
The Jimini project had changed hands a number of times before the Jimini Kitcar & Model Club was established in March 2001. Existing members of the Club have kindly supplied these details of the early days of Jimini and some of its History. [E&OE]
The first Brochure that the Club has shows a photograph of a Open Jimini, and it looks very much like an original Austin Mini Moke, but without the indents in the side pods. Built of Steel, fitted with an 850cc engine and marketed as "Suitable for a wide range of Commercial Applications", the body kit retailed at £325 + VAT. Somewhat confusing as the specification and prices don't tally, but the vehicle did not appear to be available as "Turnkey", i.e. fully built.
This purchased the Body, including Screen, Screen supports and rubber encased taillights. The drop tailgate was available as an option at £25 + VAT.
The 'special' wiring loom at £25 + VAT, and the Hood and Side Screens at £75+VAT. That totalled £450+ Vat (Not sure what rate VAT at the time)
The colour option of the finished product was either Sand or Off-White. Optional items were listed as 1100cc engine with remote gear change, weather protection, 2 additional rear seats, and additional colours as required
This was available from R J B Electronics Ltd, of Shepperton, Middlesex. There is no date on the brochure, but a debut of 1974 is thought to be correct.
Moving to the next brochure, the big eyed 'Moke' style fronted Jimini was available from Specialist Car Consultants, of Sussex. SCC gave more detail of its construction in their brochure, but the basic vehicle changed little, except a six wheel Jimini was shown in the brochure as an option. (Not six-wheel drive I hasten to add, still just front wheel drive). 1976 introduced the smoother bonnet line, and an increase in production.
Now described as the 'Ultimate rugged multi-purpose vehicle', and I quote, "from a Rapid four seat runabout, a tough utility wagon, a trendy boulevard cruiser, a handy truck and even as a fun buggy". Wow! How on earth could you live without one, or possibly two?
Other changes included an unusual smaller fuel tank, a lockable boot area, and the spare wheel mount became a standard item. The optional extra listing now included a Roll-over Bar, and a Tow-bar assembly. SCC thought that a competent DIY-er would have a finished vehicle in 50 hours. Comments??
After SCC, came Mr Dave Cameron. According to a feature in the popular 'Which Kit' magazine of Summer/Autumn 1990, Dave is credited with producing 'several hundred' Jimini's with an Engineer and Kitcar assembly specialist, Ken Coombs. Unfortunately no proof supports this claim - perhaps lazy journalism again? These Jimini's were produced at least three locations during Dave's ownership.The first of which I understand was Palmers Road Industrial Estate, Emsworth, Hampshire as J A Developments. Changes to the Jimini included a tailgate now as standard equipment, relocation of the fuel tank from inside the vehicle to under the rear floor. The cockpit width was also increased by two inches, which would allow the fitment of superior seating. There even was talk of a Hardtop option. The price had risen to £650+VAT by this time.During this production run, the options available included a hinged spare wheel carrier, front and rear nudge bars, Cobra SFX or SFY seats, and Wellar white eight-spoke wheels.
The next promotional brochure is from Jimini Automobiles WKG, Botley, (still Dave Cameron) and shows a Jimini without badges or logo's, without any rear seats fitted and only a small 'Moke style' roll cage. How long Dave owned the project is unclear, but during his ownership significant improvements and changes took place. The most radical came next.
According to a "Component Car" article of September 1984, the substantially re-worked vehicle became a GRP monocoque with steel bracing, and had a beam rear axle, with coil/spring and dampers, a roll-over bar and there was still talk of the Hardtop. The other significant change was the name....the Jimini became 'The Highlander'
Dave's company became Highlander Cars, and a move to premises in Bridge Farm, Curdridge, Southampton. Strangely, that "Which Kit" article previously mentioned appeared in Autumn 1990, and the vehicle was referred to as a Jimini once more.
I wonder if Dave had problems with the name, due to the launch of Toyotas mid-80's Highlander 4x4. Perhaps we will never know?.
It is unclear exactly how long Dave owned the project but it is estimated at least until 1992/1993. The Club Chairman has tried so far without success to contact Dave, as there are lots of unanswered questions. So, if either Dave or Ken read this, please make contact with the Club on the Email address below. Thank you.
The project was to change hands again: Mr Andrew MacLean was the owner of another Mini based Kit-Car, The Scamp. The Jimini was apparently regarded by Mr MacLean as competition to the Scamp, and was not to be produced in the UK for a time. An agreement was made with a Company called Evolution Cars, Barbados, who marketed the cars under licence, as the "Carimoke", we believe they were to be used as hire cars on that holiday island. It's not clear if the vehicles were shipped part assembled (in KD form), but it is most likely as the moulds were still in the UK. However, Evolution Cars do not appear to have honoured the agreement and it gets into a 'grey area' as to what actually happened. Mr MacLean seems reluctant to reply to the emails from the JDC for clarification, so it is assumed that production of the Jimini ceased for a short period of time. We would very much appreciate any further information regarding this period of Jimini history, and welcome any contact from Mr MacLean.
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This brings us up to present day, and the Good news.
The Jimini 2 is now owned by Kerrion Marsh and built by The Jimini Automobile Company Limited, West Bromwich in the West Midlands. The project has been owned by JAC Ltd since 1998. Recent changes in the SVA regulations, require an offset collapsible Steering Column and Flush fitting fuel filler, dual circuit servo assisted brakes, and improved lighting front and rear. Because of these changes, I refer to the latest version of the Jimini 2 unofficially as the 'Series 2'.
Further good news is that Jimini 2 is now available with Optional 'build-packs' to assist the building of the latest versions, and there are plans to create a whole raft of "After Sales" ancillaries for Jimini Two's. Who knows, there may even be a Hardtop?
At a recent Kitcar show, Kerrion Marsh of the Jimini Automobile Company was approached by Mr Ken Coombs, a previous partner in the Jimini project a while ago, and an exchange of information took place, and Kerrion was given an email address by Ken. I have emailed Ken with a number of questions on the history of Jimini, but like Andrew MacLean, I have received no reply. I am beginning to wonder how nice you have to be to these former Jimini personnel to get an answer? Even a polite rebuttle would be an step forward!!
Under the ownership of Kerrion Marsh however, things are moving forward as can be seen by the development all Electric Trend-E. Please click on the tab to read a little more on this development.
Please Note: Since the original launch photographs were taken of the Trend-E, some improved design requirements mean that the finished product may look a little different from the images currently shown here. Photo's will appear when final revisions have taken place.
As you will appreciate, there may be errors or omissions in this updated History, and it is acknowledged that the dates quoted are based on the information to hand. Articles and photographs come to light periodically that mean some further investigation is neccessary.
Therefore the Club Secretary wishes to state that wherever possible, only information verified with either photographs or Magazine articles have been used in the above, but wishes to make it clear that the information here cannot be regarded as complete and/or 100% accurate. Thank You.
I also wish to thank Jim Miekle for his help. Information gathered from "Sport & Kit Car Builder" Oct 83, "Component Car" Sept 84, "Kitcar" Feb 85, "Kitcar & Specials" Aug 85 and "Which Kit" Autumn 1990
Updated March 2010