Project Memoirs: Mini on the Move.

[BorniteIdentity]

Great story. The sort of thing that never happens..... but it has!

 

These look so right on the smaller wheels. Speaking of which, will the other (steering) wheel stay? It’s not original but- it being there is part of the story.

 

How rotten is it?

It has to stay. I think! No immediate plans, and I dare say an original AR one is gonna be proper money. Seeing as it’ll need a few quid spending almost immediately, it’s certainly low on the list to be even thought about!

[BorniteIdentity]

As for rot? I think it’s remarkably good where it matters. Matt said it felt a bit spongey somewhere, but the sills felt good and the subframe mounts very good. Don’t get too excited tho, it’s a 35 year old Mini that - whilst dry stored - has always lived within whipping distance of the North Sea.

 

Just. Pray. Ok?

[Brodders]

Truly superb. The odds of finding it after all this time, in reasonably good condition (compared to most 80s Minis) and so close to home must be in the millions, if not billions.

 

Well done on getting it back and good luck with the restoration.

[timolloyd]

Chances of any Mini surviving this long? Small
Chances of this particular car surviving without the aid* of bodykits and minilites? Tiny
Chances of you finding this particular car? Microscopic

Amazing story so far.

[Skizzer]

Incredible. Wonderful. Must be a really strange feeling, I imagine. Really happy for you, chap

[BorniteIdentity]

Ps. This literal German/English translation of a news article is everything.

 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

^ That translation is amazing. Proper warm glow here - what an all-round against-the-odds story of getting an old friend back home.

As I mentioned on Twunter, I'm sure your Gran would be very proud.

[danthecapriman]

What a lovely story this is! Almost impossible but it’s happened. I’d say it’s fate, no doubt!

 

There’s lots of nice cars about, but almost none of them can come with a story like this one. No amount of money can buy that either.

Glad it went so well for you today, even the weather gave you the best it could this time of year!

 

Can’t wait to see more about this little beauty, it looks pretty good in the pics.

[eddyramrod]

Gran's Mini really deserves its own thread.  Hell it deserves its own heading!  After Roffles and before Open Forums, I reckon.  This entire story is nothing short of miraculous.  I applaud.

[Felly Magic]

Forum won by Daniel. well played, and your family are behind you with this too, this will become a labour of love, and the good thing is, if there is any rust, panels are available

[wuvvum]

It really isn't bad at all considering it's a 35 year old Mini. There's bound to be the odd little bit but I've seen "modern" cars in far worse nick.

 

 

 

 

[Felly Magic]

It doesn't look too grotty for it's age, and the Ipswic reg on it, the run would be a nice 'homecoming, shame DMB aren't doing repro realer plates any longer. This is How Issigonis would have wanted the Mini to stay like, and I think he would have raised a smile hearing of this

[Mally]

Check the inner and outer sills and back subframe.

If they are good likely it's fine.

Are you going to leave the holes as they are, replace with new wing(s), or use the official* 70's method of a piece of ally behind and 2 tins of filler?

Oh, top and bottom ball joints always needed doing, and pump some grease in the rear radius arms.

[oldcars]

If you want to push it at the other end it won't roll freely, don't forget you can slacken the drums off without taking the wheels off. Adjuster at the back. Square thing about 8mm

Are they girling brakes too? I have them on the Rialto and the square spanner thingy.

[Craig the Princess]

This has a car SOS episode written all over it.

 

Excellent work getting it back, heart warming story.

[quicksilver]

Incredible stuff! This whole story is just so mind-bogglingly improbable that supernatural forces must have been at play. I thought what happened with the Renault was amazing enough but this beats it hands down. I can't imagine how it feels to have the old Mini back in the family after 25 years of believing it was gone.

[Eyersey1234]

Ps. This literal German/English translation of a news article is everything.

D4F9C528-9C54-405A-9B11-7C37AD422214.jpeg

I like the bit where it says about tripping over the mini, I know they are small cars but didn't know they were that small lol

[dollywobbler]

Jeepers. It only just fitted on the beavertail! Phew.

[Felly Magic]

Daniel, has it sunk in yet?

[BorniteIdentity]

Just on BBC Radio Norfolk now.  BBC Sounds/iPlayer Radio from about 1615.

[tooSavvy]

Daniel, has it sunk in yet?

.... Its not on the lawn m8

[BorniteIdentity]

Daniel, has it sunk in yet?

 

If anything, the opposite.

 

Two fold.  One - it was odd seeing it in someone's garage, but it's utterly bizarre seeing it outside my kitchen window.  Secondly - journalists etc keep ringing to tell me how unlikely it is and what an amazing story it is.  I've done so many IV's today that I have a sore throat!

 

I'm well aware that friends are probably starting to get sick of it now, so I'm not milking it - but if I can get some money out of a press agency then it'll hopefully help free these utterly, utterly fucked brakes!

[Felly Magic]

There is a dearth of good news going round, and this has so much of a feel good factor it is unreal, we will not tire of your exploits on here Dan. 

[paulscavalier]

Absolutely it's just great

[somewhatfoolish]

What is the/is there a monetary value to this kind of 'shaggy dog' story? Even the price of a round of drinks/replacement slave cylinders is probably worth the (minimal) effort.

[BorniteIdentity]

What is the/is there a monetary value to this kind of 'shaggy dog' story? Even the price of a round of drinks/replacement slave cylinders is probably worth the effort.

There are NUJ suggested fees which, if it does run in the nationals, could see me get the Mini back on the road quite swiftly.

[egg]

That would be great, any interest from the classic car press?

[BorniteIdentity]

That would be great, any interest from the classic car press?

Yes, but it’s unlikely to get any revenue. I’m absolutely not being a mercenary - and have already offered Practical Classics first shout as DH is in the next village and JW is a lovely, lovely man. I just need to let the agency have 72 hours on it to see what’s what.

 

Maybe nobody will give a shit. That’s also fine. Just need o try tho!

[Felly Magic]

Please not a Murdoch redtop though or The Fail or Excuse, the Ipswich Daily Scandal and Liar might be interested, they even put that media slut Trigglesworthy on the front page last week!

[HMC]

If it’s the mail they will need to know the value of your house so they can say...

 

“Fox, 36, who lives in an £xyz,000 (insert house type here) in Bedfordshire.......”