Project Memoirs: Mini on the Move.

[Floatylight]

Fantastic! Looking forward to the updates on this, I'd love to find some of our old family cars but one in particular, my dad's Granada 2.8i Injection Special Estate, CPC937Y, Manual, Recaro Interior, White Alloys, Metallic Grey with Red Pinstripe, fabulous car, sadly looks like it was cubed many years ago.

 

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[wuvvum]

What a superb story.

 

I'm 10 minutes from Wroxham if you need a hand with owt. 

[BorniteIdentity]

What a superb story.

 

I'm 10 minutes from Wroxham if you need a hand with owt.

Thanks for the offer. I’m so grateful. My usual wingman is AWOL. I think hiring a beaver tail is the safest way. Concerns are just being able to get it on when I’m on my own (vendor is 75) and securing well.

 

Would you be about on Sunday? It’s a tiny village a few miles NE of Wroxham on the way to Stalham.

 

(Your message box is full!)

[dollywobbler]

I used to hire trailers from FS Trailers in Huntingdon. You had to bring your own straps though.

 

City E was indeed the last Mini with a 'proper' speedometer. Our 1984 was that rare crossover year with central speedo but 12" wheels and disc brakes. They do look better on 10s.

[BorniteIdentity]

I used to hire trailers from FS Trailers in Huntingdon. You had to bring your own straps though.

 

City E was indeed the last Mini with a 'proper' speedometer. Our 1984 was that rare crossover year with central speedo but 12" wheels and disc brakes. They do look better on 10s.

That’s a really good lead. Thanks. It’s a shame their goods trailer with the mesh sides is only 2.5m. A bit more and I could have squeezed the mini in with no worries (!)

 

£55 for a car trailer is half the beaver tail cost but perhaps still safer to go for the Peugeot.

[eddyramrod]

Living The Dream TM

 

Now let's find my dad's old Zephyr, that he bought new when I was six years old: a mk3 Zephyr 4, DWM 95C, navy blue with pale blue interior, and probably a towbar because I know it had one when we had it.  I think it's a safe bet to have been several generations of bean tins by now but you never know, it could be hiding in a shed somewhere.

 

Got to say Bornite, well done there.  That's one car you will clearly never sell!  And rightly so.

[Angrydicky]

Wonderful!

 

You should take BeEp up on his offer of transport, as he said he's about half way between you and the car.

[wuvvum]

Thanks for the offer. I’m so grateful. My usual wingman is AWOL. I think hiring a beaver tail is the safest way. Concerns are just being able to get it on when I’m on my own (vendor is 75) and securing well.

 

Would you be about on Sunday? It’s a tiny village a few miles NE of Wroxham on the way to Stalham.

 

(Your message box is full!)

Space made in message box.

 

I'm about all day on Sunday until about 5.  Happy to come down and help at any time before then.

[BorniteIdentity]

There's a nice brochure on eBay right now.  I might see if I can snare it soon.

 

 

 

 

[Rusty_Rocket]

Nice brochure, snap it up!

 

The mpg claims are bold, but my standard car averages 49-51 mpg to every tank, without fail.  I drive it properly, too (like you should every Mini)

[brandersnatch]

Wow! That is all!

 

 

One’s too many, ten’s not enough!

[Mally]

Beavertail will likely bottom, even a normal trailer may well leave it grounded, and result in floor/sill damage, unless you can tilt the bed sufficiently with the jockey wheel. Maybe detach it from the tow vehicle to do this.

You really need a tilt bed.

I have one and would have done it but I'm miles away.

 

What you may be able to do is winch it on, get the front wheels on the apex or just past, and assuming the back wheels are on the ramps, lift or jack up the ends of the ramps.

It's quite easy to lift the back of the car itself if there are enough of you and its not too rotten.

[Mr Laurence]

Early candidate for thread of the year I’d say!

 

Early 80s minis like this are really appealing, and the story behind this is absolutely incredible

 

Wish you the best of luck with the collection

[BorniteIdentity]

Beavertail will likely bottom, even a normal trailer may well leave it grounded, and result in floor/sill damage, unless you can tilt the bed sufficiently with the jockey wheel. Maybe detach it from the tow vehicle to do this.

You really need a tilt bed.

I have one and would have done it but I'm miles away.

 

I appreciate the gesture, Mally.  

 

I never for a moment thought that dragging one of the most common cars would be anything other than simple and straightforward.

[BorniteIdentity]

 

It's a shame this one at FS trailers isn't about 2cm larger.  Fashion long ramps from scaffold boards, pull the door down, boom.  Not sure how I'd put the handbrake on mind!

 

 

This is what they have for £55, and Wuvvum has kindly offered a lend of some straps.

 

[Mally]

You can see from the photo that the tow car is much higher than the trailer, thus the trailer bed slopes the right way for loading.

 

Have just remembered another trick we used.

Run the back wheels of the tow car onto 2 bricks. That should give the required slope.

[BorniteIdentity]

 winch it on, get the front wheels on the apex or just past, and assuming the back wheels are on the ramps, lift or jack up the ends of the ramps.

 

 

Run the back wheels of the tow car onto 2 bricks. That should give the required slope.

 

Top tips here.  I've quoted them for my easy reference and everyone else's education (!)

 

Thanks again Mally.

[wuvvum]

Or just unhitch the trailer and lift the front a bit with a jack.  As long as the Mini's wheels aren't seized the trailer handbrake should be enough to hold it.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

That’s disappointing*. I’d hoped my prediction of applejack Metro was on the money.

 

 

* Amazing discovery; how the hell did it survive, why was it taken off the road, how rogered is it, and do all heroes wear capes?

[LightBulbFun]

this probably does not solve any of the actual issues given the faff DW had to go through with TPA and TWC

 

but would a 7.5T be any good? (do any come with ramps?)

[BorniteIdentity]

That’s disappointing*. I’d hoped my prediction of applejack Metro was on the money.

 

 

* Amazing discovery; how the hell did it survive, why was it taken off the road, how rogered is it, and do all heroes wear capes?

Applejack Metro would be a real tempter. I’ve already had to delay the bathroom project at home!

 

I’m trying to remember what he said about how the car came to be pushed into the garage. Remember, I asked approximately two questions about the car (Do you still have it and how much would you like) but the information he volunteered suggests that it did move under its own steam and the wings are shot.

 

True of them all at one stage.

 

The Eastern Daily Presss want to run the story. If it’s frictionless and they promise to print a ‘Woollard’ in full colour then I’ll probably agree.

[Timewaster]

Family heirloom mini find is awesome.

 

Yes it is base, but out of a range of 2.

 

My first car was my dad's 1985 Mayfair that he had from new. That was traded for a chavalier in 1992.

If that turns up I would be astounded!

[sporty-shite]

This is ACE. What are the chances?

[Eyersey1234]

Nice Mini find Bornite.

[mk2_craig]

Wow!! That's real needle in a haystack stuff. Like a few of us I'd be delighted if an old family motor turned up, though I suspect the chances of dads orange Renner 14 being barned instead of baled in the late eighties are slimmer than seeing Ken Dodd perform a one night show at the Palladium.

[warren t claim]

 

I was 7 when my Nan died.  It was the glorious summer of 1990.  New Kids on the Block provided the soundtrack, and the brilliance of Bobby Robson’s boys in Turin provided the distraction at what was, understandably, a difficult time.  I’d never grieved before. When my dad tiptoed into my room to say that “Nan had gone to live with Uncle Jesus”, the only thing I could think to say was “Do i have to go to school tomorrow?”  I didn’t want anyone seeing me upset, and it was also a couple of days off too!

 

My Nan had, for the brief time I’d known her, always had a Mini.  “Not quite orange, not quite red” is how I remember it. I don’t think Nan much liked driving - I went in it a few times; particularly remembering how the interior looked like a coat one of my Nan’s friends had.  It also ran on that 4* petrol from the red pump.

 

After Nan’s untimely passing, the car sat for a time before being gifted to my eldest sister, Andrea.  She proceeded to change the steering wheel (which would be the key to me identifying this as ‘our car’) and proceeded to drive it around Felixstowe (mostly on two wheels) for the next few years.  When she got married, they part exchanged two cars against one, and that was that. The trail went cold. It was never MOT’d, never came up on any vehicle searches, and seeing as 27,192 old Minis are stolen every second of every day, I naturally assumed that it had met its maker. (Not literally).

 

Subliminally, I think all of my ‘poor car choices’ have been inspired by the cars of my youth.  Dad, for better or worse, always had a Sierra outside, I’ve had three Volvo 300s (mum had two) and I’ve even had a Mini of my own.  Last year, I came close to buying two, but for one reason or another it never quite happened.

 

What happens next?  Well, I think it’s nothing short of a miracle.  My wife probably begs to differ, and wonders what the hell she may have done in a previous life to deserve this.  

 

In a rural, North Norfolk village, lies a cottage. With a garage. Inside it, for 20 years, someone’s been waiting to return.

 

 

 

To be continued.

 

Bessie.jpg

 

Is it a Citeh?

 

It looks totally Stephen Waldorftastic, in fact if you're not shot by undercover police within 72 hours I'll be disappointed. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6HJYJvkLhI

[red5]

Superb - very pleased for you

 

Now to find my wifes first car - white Designer...

[BorniteIdentity]

Thanks for all of the support and lovely words.

 

There has been one rather disappointing development over the last 24 hours. Something I wish I'd known about before I waded into this ridiculous escapade.

 

Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Bessie indeed. Apparently it was my Nan's "brilliant idea" - so it has to stay.

 

Today, it's all about practicalities and boring stuff. My friend's taking money around to him as we speak, and I'm booking the trailer in a moment.

[mrbenn]

What a brilliant story, the stars certainly aligned on this one!

 

And a great opportunity to have the car back, glad you were in a position to grab it.

[D Spares & Tyres]

I know someone who does vinyl stickers and wraps. Could get you a good deal on a Union Flag for the roof?