Project Memoirs: Mini on the Move.

[BorniteIdentity]

Ladies and Gentlemen, of the Class of ‘83.

 

 

2nd anniversary today. As I said in the main thread just yesterday, I simply wouldn’t be without it. Every journey out in it is an event, and nothing since has replicated the sheer enjoyment and humour of motoring.

 

However, the dent in that drivers’ door needs to FRO pretty soon. So that’s top of the list for this year.

 

 

The carburettor is fine when the car is warm, and I’ve calculated that Irish Dancing lessons are cheaper than a new Weber - so we’ll stick to RiverDance for now.

 

 

We turned a good few heads tonight. All middle aged men, all doing a full 180 degree turn. If you’re a woman in your 40s looking for a fella, scrap going out on a Friday night and get one of these.

 

 

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[They_all_do_that_sir]

Looks gorgeous that does.

 

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[fordperv]

I have noticed Sierras are making people very warm and sticky in the trouser department these days

[Felly Magic]

This group suits the car. All she wants is a Sierra bASe

 

[BorniteIdentity]

So the Sierra has been earning its keep, so I fort I’d try and write something a bit more proper.

 

Hopefully the link works!

 

https://sierrabase.wordpress.com/2018/04/03/all-rounders/

[mrbenn]

Love the Sophie Ellis-Bextor comparison

[ProgRocker]

This group suits the car. All she wants is a Sierra bASe

 

 

There's a contractor who started working at my place last year called 'Ace'. He's got the unofficial nickname 'Ace of Base' by one of my colleagues.

 

Totally addicted to bASs...probably doesn't work quite as well.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU4VuN9EW9U

 

The video above has some Aussie sports / muscle car (?) action so it might appeal if the music doesn't

[danthecapriman]

Good write up and most agreeable points there!

 

Good to see this still out and about actually being a car aswell as a toy.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Ladies and Gentlemen, of the Class of ‘83.

2nd anniversary today. As I said in the main thread just yesterday, I simply wouldn’t be without it. Every journey out in it is an event, and nothing since has replicated the sheer enjoyment and humour of motoring.

However, the dent in that drivers’ door needs to FRO pretty soon. So that’s top of the list for this year.

 

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*Cough* Tippers front plate whilst you’re at it...

[MorrisItalSLX]

Looking lovely as always, such a special thing.

 

Is there a reason that there is no side repeater on the passenger side?

[Mrs6C]

Ladies and Gentlemen, of the Class of ‘83.

 

2nd anniversary today. As I said in the main thread just yesterday, I simply wouldn’t be without it. Every journey out in it is an event, and nothing since has replicated the sheer enjoyment and humour of motoring.

Bravo!

[BorniteIdentity]

*Cough* Tippers front plate whilst you’re at it...

 

Nope.  Never.  There's a guy on FB who will make an absolute replica of the original front plate - but the Tippers ones aren't correct, and don't look anything like what was on the car.  They're too good.

 

Looking lovely as always, such a special thing.

 

Is there a reason that there is no side repeater on the passenger side?

 

Yes.  When the wing was replaced, the dude didn't put the new repeater on because, in essence, they were on the shelf in my garage - and he was not.  The wiring is sat inside the wing, but I'm not absolutely sure they're a necessity for an MOT. (I'm about to look now).  If I can do away with both of them, then that's extra bASe points in my view.

[MorrisItalSLX]

More bASe than bASe, love it.

 

If your going to get a period correct front plate then I'd get it to match the rear plate, the curvy font is much nicer (in my eyes, to each their own of course).

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Nope.  Never.  There's a guy on FB who will make an absolute replica of the original front plate - but the Tippers ones aren't correct, and don't look anything like what was on the car.  They're too good.

Oh. I thought they were highly regarded on here as producing some of the best replicas of a range of period plate types.

Maybe I was thinking of a different company.

[fordperv]

Any contact details eg email address for the bloke on FB im not on there, I want a set of plates making but don't want faff with sending the v5 off to dmb with the possibility of it never to return

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The best plates are made by Pukar Designs IMO. 

[Andyrew]

Do you have a replacement drivers door for it?

 

I drove past the yard next door just a few moment ago and there's a stock pile of motors destined for the oval. One Sierra hatch and one east. Both later cars with the long nose bonnet.

 

Near hockliffe. I can pop and ask if you want.

[BorniteIdentity]

Do you have a replacement drivers door for it?

 

I drove past the yard next door just a few moment ago and there's a stock pile of motors destined for the oval. One Sierra hatch and one east. Both later cars with the long nose bonnet.

 

Near hockliffe. I can pop and ask if you want.

I desperately need offside panels. MK1 is different to MK2 tho.

 

If you could ask that’d be mega!

 

And as the very reverend denim says, your man Pukka is...err... yer man.

 

 

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[Andyrew]

Okay.

 

They both look stripped out when I went past. I assume doors are the same just wings are different? Couldn't seen any rub strips on the doors from the roadside.

 

Anything else you may be after?

[fordperv]

I desperately need offside panels. MK1 is different to MK2 tho.

 

If you could ask that’d be mega!

 

And as the very reverend denim says, your man Pukka is...err... yer man.

 

 

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Message stixy on here about sierra parts, if you want message me by pm and I can pass his number on, im sure he won't mind

[BorniteIdentity]

Okay.

 

They both look stripped out when I went past. I assume doors are the same just wings are different? Couldn't seen any rub strips on the doors from the roadside.

 

Anything else you may be after?

There are hundreds of differences between mk1 and 2 sadly. Doors, wings and rear panels are all slightly different.

 

 

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[Andyrew]

Ahhh bugger. This one definitely a longer bonnet one,I'd guess around a j plate.

[Andyrew]

Went and had a look anyway. The guys were not there, all bangers for stock I was told.

I'll keep an eye out as there's a few motors rotting in that yard.

[BorniteIdentity]

In other news, it was the day of reckoning for the Avensis. I agreed to sell it for £200 last month to a friend, but in the end the family gave me so much stick and guilt that it stayed.

 

I wasn’t really sure what to think TBH.

 

 

 

Never in doubt. 222,778 not out.

 

New pads and timing belt kit on Friday - onwards and upwards.

 

 

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[BorniteIdentity]

Got this back today.



Quietly, it’s moving from commonplace motoring to infrequently witnessed transport. Already, a week or two can pass without me seeing another one - and that will only continue over the coming years.

To complete 20,000 miles in the last 12 months it’s had 8 litres of oil, 4 plugs, 2 air filters and a headlight bulb. And that’s it! I’ve just invested £300 in a new timing belt kit, aux belt and water pump all fitted up - a set of front pads and off we go.

Right now, nobody gives a flying shit about this car - and that’s fine. But in 5 years hopefully it’ll be still here, and of more interest.

19 years old - 223,000 miles (Not Out)




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[mrbenn]

Unassuming excellence! Congrats on the MOT.

[Dave_Q]

Think you're right about mk1 avensis numbers, most local authorities have either a 10 or 15 year private hire age limit and the cabbed ones won't last more than an owner or 2 after being defleeted.

 

Rather like the Carina E before it, once they were every 5th car, now where are they?

 

Sounds like at least this one will be there at generic car event 2023 to make people go "ooh, remember those?"

[Split_Pin]

Nice to see someone else on here actually attached in one way or another to their car. I was starting to get the feeling I was the only one.

[BorniteIdentity]

Nice to see someone else on here actually attached in one way or another to their car. I was starting to get the feeling I was the only one.

 

Well, we had a wobble.  I wouldn't have advertised it for sale otherwise!  I guess all relationships are like that though... ups and downs.  What I have realised is having something utterly dependable is key to owning a money pit or two.  Petrol aside (and even that is a solid 38mpg) the car costs nothing to run.  Over the last 3 years it's had one bill a year - first year was a timing belt, second a full set of tyres, third a clutch.  Otherwise it's just service stuff.  I would imagine next years bill might be a head gasket, as there's a bit of coolant going somewhere.  That said, there's no sign of it in the filler cap or the expansion tank.

[oldcars]

Nice to see someone else on here actually attached in one way or another to their car. I was starting to get the feeling I was the only one.

Nope me too.