The 3rd Oldtimer Expo (this is a reference to cars, not people) was held in Budapest over the long weekend of 17 to 19 April. There were up to 15,000 visitors. Why and how did I get involved?

Some months ago

The Mini Club Hungary gets in touch to invite me to be a patron – this is the 50th jubilee anniversary of the Mini and this will be the special theme of the Expo.  (As the Committee says, "the Mini is like a pearl of the British car industry".) I hesitate briefly before signing up. I know that Sir Michael Caine was their first choice to represent the UK (with "The Italian Job" in mind) and I am a poor second best! I am also aware of course that BMW now own the marque and will be using the Expo to showcase their fleet. But BMW still manufacture the Mini in the UK; the Mini is still highly symbolic of the UK (just think of Austen Powers); it represents British creativity; there’s a charitable angle; and any publicity is good publicity. I commit myself.

Thursday Afternoon

Advance interview with the Hirextra online news agency. A good chance to talk about the forthcoming event and the automotive sector in the UK (many people amazingly think it is defunct, whereas in reality it is one of the most developed such sectors in Europe in terms of the environment, new materials, rapid prototyping, precision machining, simulation, metrology and innovation).

Friday Morning

I arrive at the Railway History Park, where the Expo is held, for the official opening of the Mini stand in front of a large group of media.



The Mini Club people are all exceptionally nice and enthusiastic. There will be a competition to see if a team can get into the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest ever assembly of a Mini.  In my speech I thank everyone connected with the organisation of the event; highlight the link between the Mini and British culture; mention the recent solution to the dilemma at the end of "The Italian Job" (produced in response to a recent Royal Society competition); and talk about my own connection with the Mini. I learnt to drive and passed my test in a Mini, but haven’t been behind the wheel of one for over 30 years. However, the following day I will be driving one in convoy to the Tűzoltó Street Children’s Hospital to hand over some money and toys that the British Embassy, the Britannica International School and the Mini Club have collected. My speech gets a good response – it is very much appreciated here when foreigners speak Hungarian – even a little goes a long way. Afterwards I give several TV interviews. Among other issues I stress the relative environmental benefits of small cars.

Saturday Afternoon

I’m in one of Budapest’s magnificent parks, with a steel band playing. There is a surprising number of Minis present – I had no idea there were so many in Hungary, including some historic and visually stunning designs. Shortly afterwards the convoy starts off towards the Children’s Hospital. I am in second place, behind the lead Mini. Kati, who has loaned me the car, has arranged for a Union Flag to be mounted on the bonnet! I am slightly nervous about this.



My current car is an automatic, not a manual like this one; the owner Kati is sitting in the back with my colleague Geory (and my youngest son is in the front); there are police outriders driving worryingly close; and a TV crew in a car insist on driving alongside and filming me. After a while, my glazed smile starts to hurt. But all goes well and we arrive at the Hospital without incident. I’m glad we can do something to help here – this Hospital has also benefited in the past from assistance from the Robert Burns International Foundation Budapest, of which I am also a patron. Another speech – this time about the value of charity (which was banned or looked down on in Communist times here); the future belonging to children; and the importance of not forgetting about those who need charity (including in poorer parts of the world) during the current financial crisis. I meet some of the children, including Michelle from the UK who has been here since September and who gives me a picture of a Mini, which is her favourite car. A number of the children are able to have trips around the block in Minis. BMW present a Mini to the Hospital to be used as a blood transport car for at least 6 months.

Saturday Evening

Back again at the Expo for an evening Mini event, party and (more) speeches. The disassembled Mini has been put together in record time, worked for a bit, and has now stopped operating for reasons unknown: but with luck this is good enough to beat the record. I was hoping to share the platform with Gabor Presser (a former Mini owner) from Locomotiv GT, my favourite Hungarian rock band, but it’s not known when/if he will be turning up. I talk about the tradition of British design and innovation that is symbolised by the Mini; the creative industries and manufacturing sectors in the UK; aspects of our automotive industry like Formula 1; and congratulate the Mini Club on its efforts, especially the charitable work. I apologise to those who have had to listen to me three times in the past two days. There are whoops at the end – the best response I think I’ve ever had to a speech! I visit the Morgan stand. Morgan are still turning out 200 of their beautiful and traditional vehicles annually and there are real prospects in Hungary. I take the wheel and it is like stepping back 100 years. We agree to work together in the future. I give a final interview to local radio – what the Mini stands for; my personal links with the Mini (my grandmother drove one – it really is a car for all ages); and the environment. I buy a model Mini to send to Michelle and leave.