Classic Car Road Trip

IMM Geiselwind, Germany

The IMM took place near the small market town of Geiselwind in Bavaria, Germany. 2024 was a special year for the Mini, marking 65 years since the first Mini rolled off the production line at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham, and 60 years since Paddy Hopkirk won the Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S.

The IMM in Geiselwind was organised by MINI IG Bamberg. Geiselwind is located not far from Bamberg, where the IMM (International Mini Meeting) was held in 2010. We were only able to attend the IMM in Geiselwind for a few days, because we had been invited to Normandy to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Because the IMM was rescheduled to a later date, the two events almost overlapped. We decided to stay at the IMM for three days and then drive to Normandy.

The weather forecast for Bavaria and other regions in the south-east of Germany was really appalling, but we had survived the storm and heavy rain showers at the IMM in Bristol, so we weren't too worried. From all over Europe, thousands of Mini owners travelled in their iconic Classic Minis or New MINIs to Bavaria to attend the IMM in Geiselwind.

During the IMM, heavy rain showers passed over the campsite. The ground around our tent became soaked and tracks on the campsite turned into mud puddles. Despite the bad weather, we made a number of short trips in the area surrounding Geiselwind. It was still raining when we left Geiselwind. We made this road trip in a 1974 Classic Mini, our own iconic Mini Authi.

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1. 

   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: From all over Europe, thousands of Mini owners travelled in their iconic Classic Mini or New MINI to Bavaria to attend the IMM in Geiselwind. Geiselwind is a small market town in Bavaria, a state in the southeast of Germany. The IMM (the International Mini Meeting) is an international annual event where Mini owners meet. In 1978, the very first IMM was held, also in Germany.

2. 

   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: On our road trip to Geiselwind to attend the IMM (International Mini Meeting), we spotted hundreds of classic Minis; at almost every petrol station and motorway service station along the road, there were a number Minis. Since 1978, the IMM has taken place in a different European country every year, and once every five years in England, the birthplace of the Mini.

3. 

   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: Our Mini Authi waiting in line at the entrance to the IMM campsite. The event took place near the small market town of Geiselwind in Bavaria and was organised by Mini IG Bamberg. Thousands of Minis stood for almost two hours in a queue before they could enter the campsite. The sky became darker and darker, and then it started to rain.

4. 

   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: Our tent next to the Mini Authi. On the second day of the IMM, the DWD (German meteorological office) had issued a red weather warning for Bavaria. Due to the heavy rain, the ground around our tent became soaked and dirt tracks on the campsite turned into mud pools. Fortunately, everything in our tent remained dry, but other campers were not so lucky.

5. 

   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: A rooftop tent on top of a Classic Mini. During the IMM, heavy rain showers passed over the campsite. Due to this deluge, the camping ground became soft and wet; the groundsheets underneath many tents were dirty and soaked in muddy water, yet the owner of this Mini kept his feet dry. 

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   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: A Mini Moke in a tent. This iconic car was originally designed as a light military vehicle for the British Army that could withstand a parachute drop and be lifted by a helicopter. The mechanicals of the Moke were shared with the renowned Mini. In 1964, the Mini Moke was introduced as a civilian vehicle, and remained in production until 1993. 'Moke' is a British slang word for donkey.

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   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: A Classic Mini Clubman Estate, a three-door traveller. The Mini Clubman Estate is known for its decorative wood-effect metal strips down the sides and also on the split rear doors. Most notable are the exposed rear door hinges, characteristic of the Classic Mini Clubman Estate. This remarkable vehicle was manufactured until 1981.

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   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: Our own Mini Authi on the IMM campsite. The campsite was nestled in the rolling hills of Bavaria. We had visited this part of the country before, but this was our first time in a Classic Mini. Geiselwind is situated in the heart of the Steigerwald Nature Park – a vast mountainous area covered with pine and deciduous forests, vineyards, wetland areas and small lakes. This scenic landscape is ideal for a road trip.

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   IMM Geiselwind, Germany: The Mariengrotte (Mary's Grotto) in Geiselwind was built in 2018. This small grotto is located on a meditation route, which features twelve wooden sculptures of angels. The route runs from the Autobahnkirche to the Mariengrotte. This serene and peaceful oasis is situated on the grounds of Autohof Strohofer in Geiselwind, the location where the IMM took place.

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    IMM Geiselwind, Germany: A row of Classic Minis at the entrance to the campsite. The Classic Mini was designed by Alec Issigonis, a Greek-British automobile engineer and designer. The Mini was introduced to the market in 1959 and became a true cultural icon. This unique car was, and still is, popular in the UK, in Europe and in many other countries, including Australia, the United States and, above all, Japan.

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    IMM Geiselwind, Germany: Our Mini Authi in front of the town hall of the picturesque village of Geiselwind. The town hall features a striking half-timbered red and white facade and dates back to the 15th century. The building is situated on the idyllic market square, right next to a yellow half-timbered building which is among the oldest houses in Geiselwind. The village is also known for its huge amusement park.

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    IMM Geiselwind: Our own Mini Authi in front of the Pfarrkirche St. Burkhard in Geiselwind. The church dates back to the Middle Ages, with its oldest part being the Romanesque vault beneath its tower. The nave was rebuilt in 1521 and expanded in the 1930s. The high altar was modelled after the one in St. Mary's Church in Würzburg. 

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    IMM Geiselwind, Germany: A unique 1981 Mini Van 1000 spotted in the village of Geiselwind. This iconic Mini was introduced in 1960 and designed as a utility vehicle. No chrome trim was fitted to the bodywork; the grille was made of metal and painted in the same colour as the vehicle.

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    Dark clouds over the IMM in Geiselwind, Germany. This event took place at a beautiful location and was well organised. Despite the heavy rain showers, we enjoyed this annual gathering of Mini enthusiasts. It was still raining when we left the IMM. The windscreen wipers of the Mini Authi worked overtime during this road trip. 

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    We made this road trip to the IMM in Geiselwind, Germany in a Classic Mini – a 1974 Mini Authi. The Mini was produced in the British Leyland Motor Corporation plant in Spain, the Authi works in Pamplona. Our Mini Authi is painted lavender blue, one of the lesser-known paint colours used for a Mini, yet an official British Leyland colour.