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A toast to sanity


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#1 Teapot

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Posted 17 November 2004 - 10:12 PM

On the theme of the spirit of the mini, I’d like to mention my neighbour John (don’t think he’s got a PC so he won’t see this), who reckons he’s had about a dozen minis in his time but whose real passion is restoring and riding vintage motor bikes, plus two Morris Minors and a cracking red MGB GT which he took 12 years to revive. John has had a one-man repair shop for at least 30 years and his skills are sadly out of synch with today’s demands for instant repairs for little reward. It was thanks to John that I regained my sanity, i.e. started driving a mini again after 30 years.

This is what Rosie looked like when I asked John if he could restore her. She had indeed been dragged through several hedges backwards, and sideways.

Posted Image

I was allowed to help with the rubbing down. Day after day it went like this:
“Is this door panel ok, John?”
“No, it’s like the Himalayas. Do it again.”

Anyway, in the end Rosie emerged from the paint shop looking like this.

Posted Image

So to John and to all those like him I propose a triple toast: to sanity, to illogical dedication, and to fun.

#2 Purple Tom

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Posted 17 November 2004 - 10:23 PM

people like John are the sort of people we should cherish, and learn as much off while we still have the time to do it. Your car looks fantastic, just goes to show what the right preparation and attitude can do!

#3 tipcat

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Posted 17 November 2004 - 10:24 PM

I'll drink to that! Brilliant job - all credit to your mate! In my case, it was my son's 17-year old mate not knowing how to bump start his Mini that got me back in to one after 20 years! Once I got back behind the wheel (with my son and his mate pushing! :- ), I remembered the fun - and have since remembered the little bits that make them special - like the rust, having to remove the grill to do anything, etc. etc....... :erm: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

#4 Teapot

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Posted 17 November 2004 - 11:05 PM

Cheers, guys ... ahh, bump-starting ... when you turned the ignition key (or pushed the button on the floor) and nothing happened ... what did the manual say? ... "the starter pinion has jammed in mesh with the flywheel"... what size was the spanner you had to carry to turn the square end of the starter spindle?

Rambles on for hours/cont p94

#5 Sunshine

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Posted 18 November 2004 - 08:13 AM

I think it is great that your neighbor helped you like that. We sometimes forget to ask for help when needed ( even cowboy will stop and ask for directions now). It never hurts to ask for help and more than not people are willing to give it.

I really think we need more of it, not just on the forum either but everyday around us. You might be surprised how far a little kindness and a thank you go. Even something simple as holding a door open for someone even when you are in a hurry.

I normally don't post up in mini chat - leave that for the guys :- but will when i think there is something that needs to be said.

#6 thorpey

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Posted 18 November 2004 - 10:29 AM

your car looks good,real craftsman and perfectionists are so hard to find,my car is in the paint shop at the moment and my mechanic is such a fussy git its costing me twice as miuch to do but should be worth it when finished,make the most of these people they are valuable..

#7 tom

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Posted 19 November 2004 - 01:26 PM

Whoa! That John guy is a living legend. I do hope that you bought him a pint for all his efforts. :-

#8 Teapot

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Posted 19 November 2004 - 09:37 PM

He charged me £400 for the whole job, parts, welding and spraying. The paint/lacquer alone cost an arm and a leg. We kept the engine intact but had to replace most of the peripherals -- battery, alternator, dizzy, wiper motor etc. The front suspension was drunk and needed lots of tlc (I'm not very technical).

The sad part is that a month later Rosie blew up spectacularly and burned out -- a collision with a telegraph pole may or may not have been involved: I never did get the whole story from the driver.

I haven't dared tell John about it. He just thinks Rosie is being cared for somewhere. Maybe she is.




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