Project Memoirs: Mini on the Move.

[beko1987]

Oh that's amazing! Even better that it's your actual nans old one!

[Jim Bell]

*emotional music plays*

 

Everyone starts clapping.

 

*emotional music rises*

 

Everyone stands up, still applauding but louder.

 

*emotional music crescendo*

 

Everyone cheers and is happy.

 

 

Thats an amazing story man, and a great spot/grab.  I've just been on the phone to William Hill and Dennis Ladbrokes as I was wondering what the odds were that a fella would come across a much loved grandparents car after all these years and both said that the odds would be in excess of ELEVEN to ONE! 

 

Then they hung up.

 

 

Really looking forward to seeing more of this teeny terror. I'm not really a fan of Minis (had half of one, didnt like it) but I love seeing folk enthuse about stuff that THEY like. Or probably love, in this case.

 

Well done again man.  Id shit my crackers and sell a kidney if I ever saw my dads of Magnum for sale. (Sadly I know its crushed)

[adw1977]

Congratulations on tracking down your Nan's old car.

 

I presume this is a City E with dash as shown in this April 1983 brochure:

The central speedo had gone by late 1985 (possibly earlier) to be replaced by a twin dial pod in front of the driver.

[Rusty_Rocket]

Excellent!  I was watching this particular car and very tempted to pounce.  It's very genuine by the look of it.

 

It's a City E with 10" wheels and a 2.95:1 dif for economy.

 

I have exactly the same car, but in Nautilus blue and use it every day.

 

This was the only Mini to be fitted with a 2.95:1 and it really drops the revs down at speed, which makes it usable on long runs without making your ears bleed!

Also, the last year the central speedo was fitted.

It is absolutely correct with its black bumpers and simple grille.

 

A year later, the wheels went up to 12", front disc brakes were fitted and the dif changed to a 3.1:1.

[SRi05]

Amazing, what a brilliant story

[Twiggy]

Methinks it`s Autoshite magic, first Bucketeer wins a roffle, now this................. amazing !

[BorniteIdentity]

Excellent!  I was watching this particular car and very tempted to pounce.  It's very genuine by the look of it.

 

It's a City E with 10" wheels and a 2.95:1 dif for economy.

 

I have exactly the same car, but in Nautilus blue and use it every day.

 

This was the only Mini to be fitted with a 2.95:1 and it really drops the revs down at speed, which makes it usable on long runs without making your ears bleed!

Also, the last year the central speedo was fitted.

It is absolutely correct with its black bumpers and simple grille.

 

A year later, the wheels went up to 12", front disc brakes were fitted and the dif changed to a 3.1:1.

Top intel. Thanks very much.

[Mally]

If all it needs is a wiper blade, It'll be fine.

[BorniteIdentity]

Where is it? I'm passing your way soon with an empty trailer

 

I've tried to message you dude, but you've a very full box.

[SiC]

Noice!

 

I (correctly) thought you'd be getting a Mini after all, but I could never imagine that it would have historic significance. Now just bolt it to the floor, so it never leaves your sight.

[egg]

Bornite - I know how much you like a backstory man, and this is the best

 

well done!

[D Spares & Tyres]

I've tried to message you dude, but you've a very full box.

It should be ok now, every message since joining was in there!

[vulgalour]

All your red cars with good backstories are belong to Bornite.

[BeEP]

I'm in NW Norfolk so presumably roughly between you and the mini;  I have van & trailer so let me know if I can be of assistance.

 

Photo from last week's Punto collection so you can see that although the van is a bit tatty, the trailer is quite decent (if a bit dirty)

[greengartside]

God man, that’s a story and a half. Just in the right place at the right time. I am very much looking forward to the kullekshun fred!

 

I always think the same of my dad’s old stuff that he used to have, and if they’ve been left in a garage somewhere instead of being cubed. I’d love to stumble across the Sierra 1.6 L Auto my dad drove me home from the hospital in when I was born. A510 SVV for anybody who wants to go and hunt for it, tax expired September 1996.

 

Well played Bornite and well spotted MorryItal.

[egg]

The forum has been half asleep over the winter and Bornite has just woken us all up. 

[LightBulbFun]

Very cool stuff on the mini! thats very awesome how you found your grans mini after all this time

 

I look forwarding to seeing it on here

 

im a bit of a mini fan myself, and my mum owned one before she got the volvo (but that was before i was born) 

 

she said she sold it to a collector/enthusiast, I wonder if its still out there somewhere sadly she does not remember the reg

 

its was a funny thing that mini, normally when it comes to cars my mum likes a good big barge of some kind, but she said she really enjoyed the mini, and she had a few fun adventures with it, like moving an entire dining room set with the thing, she said with all the chairs tied to the roof/car it looked like a porcupine 

[BorniteIdentity]

I'm in NW Norfolk so presumably roughly between you and the mini; I have van & trailer so let me know if I can be of assistance.

 

Photo from last week's Punto collection so you can see that although the van is a bit tatty, the trailer is quite decent (if a bit dirty)

P519GGM nsr.JPG

Unfortunately it’s the wrong part. I’m heading over towards Wroxham.

 

My chum has organised a method of dragging, but I’m slightly nervous about A-Framing something 100 miles that hasn’t been on the road for 20 yrs that is also untaxed and untested. Alone.

 

I may yet grow a pair and JFDI; consent vs forgiveness etc. I may yet hire a transporter.

[Lord Sterling]

Mate, that is truly fantastic. I wish I could find the exact Rover Sterling that my Dad had or my Mums old Mk3 Fiesta but all of thier cars including my Nans cars may well have already met thier maker.

[danthecapriman]

This is ridiculously awesome! How on earth have you managed to find that car after all that time, and how has it managed to stay how it should be without being messed about with as just about every classic mini seems to have been!?

I bet you couldn’t believe it when it appeared. What an unbelievable stroke.

 

Can’t wait to see this unfold! Hope it all goes well.

[HMC]

Even more of a long shot as that front end pic is without its number plate so on casual glancing it would be an other red mini. Spirito d’shite

[Squire_Dawson]

The stars have aligned and this was meant to be. Sometimes providence just brings you things, this is one of those times. Eagerly awaiting more photos.

[BorniteIdentity]

Even more of a long shot as that front end pic is without its number plate so on casual glancing it would be an other red mini. Spirito d’shite

Quite.

 

I’m happy to confess it was a frantic 10 minutes whilst we tried to establish it was ‘the one’ without over thinking and missing out.

 

I’ve now got to try and sort the logistics of repatriation. Yes, it’s simple enough to pay a man to do it - but I simply HAVE to be there. I also want that heroes welcome as I arrive with my prey stowed on my horse.

 

I can hire a beaver tail - but the guy says a Mini is tricky because of the lack of clearance.

 

It’s a long way to A-Frame / Dolly - although I’ve not written this off.

 

Does anyone have a trailer around Cambridge?

[dozeydustman]

You sir, are winning even more now I have re-read the thread and you have discovered Nana Identity's former car. I will have to follow this thread in more detail, a mini is on my wish list!

[oldcars]

theverysame.jpg

Hucking fell. Well done that man. The ACTUAL car! This make me NEED to get my grandfathers Kia back on the road. Can't wait to see the collection. You need to dress as you did in the 90s on the collection.

[BorniteIdentity]

Hucking fell. Well done that man. The ACTUAL car! This make me NEED to get my grandfathers Kia back on the road. Can't wait to see the collection. You need to dress as you did in the 90s on the collection.

I was considering this earlier; it’s proving difficult to source an XL Jimbo and the Jet-Set sweater tho.

[oldcars]

I was considering this earlier; it’s proving difficult to source an XL Jimbo and the Jet-Set sweater tho.

Jimbo was class. I am so happy for you. This kind of thing makes my day. Winning.

[Kiltox]

You always hear of people wanting to do this but it (understandably) never materialises (because it’s next to fucking impossible)

 

Bravo.

[vulgalour]

Planks of wood help with clearance.  If we can get a BX on its arse on a beavertail, you'll be fine with a Mini.

[SiC]

Don't a-frame this. Ignoring anything else, did you want it on your concious that you damaged it if something happened? E.g. pulling it while the wheel bearing has dried out, etc.