Calling all Mini lovers out there!

[The Darkness]

Are there any other Mini owners out there that would like to talk about there Mini. Mines a Mini Neon (Limited Edition) i'll try and attach a photo soon.

[Truckosaurus]

Hurrah for Minis!

I've still got my 1990 Rover Cooper which I ran as my only vehicle from 1995-1997. It now runs a 1380cc MED engine with all the obligatory hi-los, koni and adjustable everything on the suspension, plus a Rollcentre cage. I've spent far too much money on it over the years and it still isn't worth anything, so its not worth selling, even if I wanted to (which ! don't). It's currently in my brother's garage in Dorset, waiting 'til I've got some spare cash (and the time) to do some trackdays and more hillcimbs etc. in it.

I also had a deposit down on a new MINI Cooper S before they were launched, but then I had a test drive of one and the deal was off (too slow).

[garcon]

Never ever got round to owning a Mini. Lots of mates have had them, from a downright dangerous 1400 Clubman (doorsills of chickenwire, Coke cans and filler, "painted" with tar... ), to a 1988-ish Mini City converted by the boys at an Austin Rover dealership to take a Metro Turbo engine (kept the City badges, mind ), to the 2000 'V' plate Cooper Special Edition (leather, wood, 4 spots etc ) a friend runs now.

[peteconnors]

Mines a real early one, chassis 25492 (i think), built April 1960. I bought it for my 21st, but am yet to get round to restoring it. Maybe one day...

[GTRMagic]

My parents had 2 Minis at different times.

A 1964 Mini 850, with the floor mounted push button starter, which was a ripper of a car... used nearly no petrol at all. Old age eventually caught up with the thing... went to a good home though, a donor shell for an Appendix J race car

The 2nd one was a 1970 Mini K, 1100cc.. and being so low to the ground felt like a gokart. This one had a shortened gear lever and a steering wheel off a Marina as the hot up bits, with genuine Michelin X tyres This one got borrowed without permission, and didnt have the safety device of the floor mounted starter

One of the English marketers at work has the new Mini, not the Cooper series though She ordered it after watching the celebrity race at the Grand Prix last year..

[The Darkness]

i've just bought mine last october. it's my first car and i think its great to have. its very girly though its got pink strips down the side of it. i'm thinking of doing it up like putting all the chrome trims on etc.

[BertMk2]

I don't have a mini but my sister has one for day to day driving, her other half is going to sprint a mini this year and I'll be at the SEMSEC meets this year supporting Bill Richards who races a mini (piccy attached). Bill is a mini specialist and his website is the homepage on my profile.

[Christopher]

My dad had a black Twin Carb Mini years ago.
I'm a huge fan of the new Mini, I'd love to have a BRG Cooper one day which I'd like to do up over time. Basically add a Aussie Flag, stripes, wheels, spot lights, and a personalised plate. I've even got my brother and sister hooked.

A great web site for the new Mini: www.mini2.com

[The Darkness]

i'm not really that sure about the new mini. i don't think i like it as much as the old one.

[dretceterini]

Sorry, but I don't consider the BMW Mini as a real Mini...a nice car, but not a Mini...

[Bluebottle]

I think the BMW Mini is a great car but it's just too darn big to be called 'Mini'!

[Smokey 6 litre]

i agree bluebottle, they should've called it a 'Midi' anywho, the original is a classic, which im trying to find a resonable one for my first car.

[The Darkness]

Originally posted by Smokey 6 litre
i agree bluebottle, they should've called it a 'Midi' anywho, the original is a classic, which im trying to find a resonable one for my first car.

i found my mini on a website. the company is in whitley bay in south shields (i think) take a look at their website see what you think. i know i'd probabley get wrong for putting the website address on but never mind.

www.lm-customminis.co.uk i think thats right?

[Mackmot]

my dad's making himself a road going 1275gt

[peteconnors]

One of the most fun days I've had was when my sister said I could have her old mini, providing I came and picked it up. She was in Newcastle, I was in Bournemouth. I got the coach up, checked the car over in the evening, then left at 10:15 the next morning. All was going well for the first 40 miles, but as it had been raining, there was a lot of spray which drenched the dizzy (does anyone know why this flaw was there? Interesting story for all the anoraks, for another time!). 2 hours later the dizzy had dried out and I was on my way. 420 miles and 14 hours after I had left, I arrived in Bournemouth. The next day I had face ache from smiling so much, although that could be because I'm normally a moody git! Brilliant fun though, and yes, I would happily do it again. If I ever get mine restored I would like to do Europe in it.

[pplater]

have you heard of the 'ringmini'? this Mini is a nurburgring special with a 1100cc Suzuki GSX-R motor. The same blokes put the same kind of motor in a go-kart. Tyre life is measured in seconds...

[Truckosaurus]

Originally posted by pplater
have you heard of the 'ringmini'?

Yes, http://www.ringmini.de looks like he has fun.

[imull]

just watched the video of the go kart. class

[The Darkness]

i never heard of. it doesn't help that the website is in a different language.

[imull]

click on the big union jack in the bottom corner. Miraculously changes to english

[The Darkness]

arrr ok i didn't see that thanks

[oily oaf]

One of our customers gave me his old 1983 mini mayfair saying "Its only good for spares" I towed it home and over the next 2 or 3 weeks I stuck on 2 front wings + A frames, welded on a couple of sills, replaced a knackered engine stabiliser arm and stuck in a set of points and plugs. I then flogged it for 950 quid. Minis I love 'em.

[The Darkness]

Originally posted by oily oaf
One of our customers gave me his old 1983 mini mayfair saying "Its only good for spares" I towed it home and over the next 2 or 3 weeks I stuck on 2 front wings + A frames, welded on a couple of sills, replaced a knackered engine stabiliser arm and stuck in a set of points and plugs. I then flogged it for 950 quid. Minis I love 'em.

yeah minis aren't the best cars for keeping maintened like? Before i bought mine it needed a new front wing and an A panel, windscreen, front and rear bumpers, grill, and brakes. it wasn't in mint condition.

[Airhead]

Well I've covered this before in previous threads - so if your bored already hit the 'home' button on top of the monitor...

My first car was a (like GTR Magic's) push button Mini 850 same year as me - 1961 model.

A couple of years later I bought a Mini Clubman GT with a worked 1310 cc Twin down draught Webber'd, extractored motor. Went good then broke down a lot.

I still love the memory of that car. The closest thing to a four wheeled motorcycle I have owned.

[GoThatWay]

Originally posted by peteconnors
420 miles and 14 hours after I had left, I arrived in Bournemouth. The next day I had face ache from smiling so much, although that could be because I'm normally a moody git! Brilliant fun though, and yes, I would happily do it again. If I ever get mine restored I would like to do Europe in it.

Sounds like you should be up for a bit of historic rallying - try Le Jog, or the Historic Monte if you want endurance events. Brilliant events.