The passion is classic!
Discussion
I'm not a Mini enthusiast but simply have to point out that there are 400% more posts on this Forum compared to the 'New mini' forum.
A real testament to the passion that can only be found in certain individuals after many years of loving restoration, perseverance and loyalty.............as opposed to just sticking your hand in your back pocket and driving away with this Months new model!
I can imagine that owning a classic car is no different from having a long and meaningful relationship.
On the one hand there are those that enjoy building upon a relationship over a period of time and on the other, there are those that prefer to pay for their brief moment of pleasure (if you know what I mean).
There........said my bit.
A real testament to the passion that can only be found in certain individuals after many years of loving restoration, perseverance and loyalty.............as opposed to just sticking your hand in your back pocket and driving away with this Months new model!
I can imagine that owning a classic car is no different from having a long and meaningful relationship.
On the one hand there are those that enjoy building upon a relationship over a period of time and on the other, there are those that prefer to pay for their brief moment of pleasure (if you know what I mean).
There........said my bit.
Well said.
The majorety of mini owners I come across are Engineers who love to tinker at home or genuine enthusiasts. However the majorety of BINI owners I have come across are female 35 bleached blonde and image conshus (cant spell that one)also very often their partners have a BMW company car. Or in the case of my neighbour "Its my 1st new BMW" !! When these BIMI cars reach the 10 years old price crash age, it will be interesting to see if enthusiasts take them up or they become just anouther old car.
The majorety of mini owners I come across are Engineers who love to tinker at home or genuine enthusiasts. However the majorety of BINI owners I have come across are female 35 bleached blonde and image conshus (cant spell that one)also very often their partners have a BMW company car. Or in the case of my neighbour "Its my 1st new BMW" !! When these BIMI cars reach the 10 years old price crash age, it will be interesting to see if enthusiasts take them up or they become just anouther old car.
It's fair to say that the Mini (the real one, that is) is arguably the most iconic and meaningful car of all time. From its inception as a 34 bhp 850 cc small family car in 1959 until it's final incarnation as a 1275 in 2000 it was always held in high esteem everywhere it was sold.
Of all the cars I've owned since about 1960, from Ford V8 Pilot to 911 Carrera RST, and including many Mercs and BMW's, it's still the Mini that I've got the most pleasure from owning. I've competed in them, prepared them for competition, restored rusty ones, rebuilt countless engines to give more power, helped my son to do his first restoration on a 1967 Cooper and, most recently, assisted my 12-year old Grandson do his first restoration ( a 1986 Mayfair 998). My first new car was a 998 Cooper in 1964, for which I traded in my 850. I got my first 1275 'S' in 1969.
The pleasure of driving and competing in my '64 Cooper 'S' rally car still always brings a smile to my face and the time I spend in my workshop with 'the Minis' is still, to me, as much quality time' as it ever was. Even when doing the most fiddly jobs, like changing a master cylinder, it's still kind-of fun.
Maybe my next project will be to restore an early 850, if I can find one in restorable condition for a sensible price.
As my Grandson said when he was about four, "These Minis are dear little cars".
Of all the cars I've owned since about 1960, from Ford V8 Pilot to 911 Carrera RST, and including many Mercs and BMW's, it's still the Mini that I've got the most pleasure from owning. I've competed in them, prepared them for competition, restored rusty ones, rebuilt countless engines to give more power, helped my son to do his first restoration on a 1967 Cooper and, most recently, assisted my 12-year old Grandson do his first restoration ( a 1986 Mayfair 998). My first new car was a 998 Cooper in 1964, for which I traded in my 850. I got my first 1275 'S' in 1969.
The pleasure of driving and competing in my '64 Cooper 'S' rally car still always brings a smile to my face and the time I spend in my workshop with 'the Minis' is still, to me, as much quality time' as it ever was. Even when doing the most fiddly jobs, like changing a master cylinder, it's still kind-of fun.
Maybe my next project will be to restore an early 850, if I can find one in restorable condition for a sensible price.
As my Grandson said when he was about four, "These Minis are dear little cars".
Yep.
Years ago, I wanted a beetle and they were too pricey so I bought a Morris Minor. Always saw references to minis, coopers, etc. Wondered what all the fuss was about. They were horrible and little and the wheelbase was too long for the car (I thought). Anyway, years passed and my GF at the time said "I want a mini as my first car" and I thought "No, the wheels are too small, the engines in the wrong place, they are rubbish and I don't know what all the fuss is about". Anyway, one day my car broke down and I had to take her W reg City E 998 to work along one of the best roads in SE Cornwall. I just wish that moment had happened earlier. It was only a 998 and had a 3.2 FD and running 145/10's but I have never had as much fun, it was better than losing my virginity. I was stoked.
The following week, I bought a 1964 Super Deluxe and drove that for a bit.... The engine broke and I put a 12HD24 MG lump in it. I nearly pooed myself with excitement. It was fast (running a 3.9FD). Anyway, that broke and I got my 1966, put a hairy 1380 in it as well as all the right other bits..... those who know what I'm talking about know what I'm talking about. It is rather fun. To say that it is one of the maddest things on the road is getting there.
I love the literature on them, the history, the parts, the way you can do it in your shed, it is the most played with car and having a hairy MK1 is the epitome of being a petrolhead I reckon.......
Years ago, I wanted a beetle and they were too pricey so I bought a Morris Minor. Always saw references to minis, coopers, etc. Wondered what all the fuss was about. They were horrible and little and the wheelbase was too long for the car (I thought). Anyway, years passed and my GF at the time said "I want a mini as my first car" and I thought "No, the wheels are too small, the engines in the wrong place, they are rubbish and I don't know what all the fuss is about". Anyway, one day my car broke down and I had to take her W reg City E 998 to work along one of the best roads in SE Cornwall. I just wish that moment had happened earlier. It was only a 998 and had a 3.2 FD and running 145/10's but I have never had as much fun, it was better than losing my virginity. I was stoked.
The following week, I bought a 1964 Super Deluxe and drove that for a bit.... The engine broke and I put a 12HD24 MG lump in it. I nearly pooed myself with excitement. It was fast (running a 3.9FD). Anyway, that broke and I got my 1966, put a hairy 1380 in it as well as all the right other bits..... those who know what I'm talking about know what I'm talking about. It is rather fun. To say that it is one of the maddest things on the road is getting there.
I love the literature on them, the history, the parts, the way you can do it in your shed, it is the most played with car and having a hairy MK1 is the epitome of being a petrolhead I reckon.......
I've had a love affair with classic minis for years...
There's just something about them. Character would be a good word!! Where the new MINI is much less so. For me, if I wanted a car that size, I would probably go for a Golf.. better planned, better sized and better engineered, in my humble opinion.
As it goes, I'm err of a certain age and blonde, but I have no designs on a BMW MINI! I already own a Freelander, a mini and a Z4 coupe! I AM selling the mini, but it's because I don't have TIME or space to keep it. However, the passion will never die.
There's just something about them. Character would be a good word!! Where the new MINI is much less so. For me, if I wanted a car that size, I would probably go for a Golf.. better planned, better sized and better engineered, in my humble opinion.
As it goes, I'm err of a certain age and blonde, but I have no designs on a BMW MINI! I already own a Freelander, a mini and a Z4 coupe! I AM selling the mini, but it's because I don't have TIME or space to keep it. However, the passion will never die.
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