10 replies to this topic

[dusk595]

Hi everyone. I'm Kirsty (or Pip if you like). I've been brought here under rather unfortunate circumstances, I'm afraid. My sister died suddenly last month at aged only 37 (still have no idea why, we have no cause of death other than 'something medical')

Her mini was her absolute pride and joy. It's a 1989 Mini Thirty. I've inherited it. I'll be honest, I'm a Peugeot 205 nut, and I have no idea about Minis. I'm not even sure how I'm going to get it from Dartmoor to here yet, as it has a SORN on it and won't turn over. But if anyone on here can please give me any advice or anything I would be greatly appreciative. Embarrassingly enough I don't even know where the bonnet release catch on it is. :/

I will never ever sell this car as long as I live. So I gotta start learning all things Mini somehow so I can look after it and do it up the way she wanted it. So absolutely any help or advice, any good Mini manuals, websites, even if someone randomly happens to live near me and can tell me what to do with it, anything at all would be amazingly helpful to me.

Thank you

Pip

 

[alex-95]

Hi, welcome to TMF, sorry to hear of your loss.  The Haynes manual is a good place to start for a manual, and here is very good for any questions you have. The bonnet release catch should be either on the front grille and move it to the right( I think) or there may be a cable inside the car to pull, once this has been moved/pulled then there is a hook on the right (facing the car) that needs pushing forwards.

 

Have you got any pictures of it?

 

 

Alex

[andy159]

is there anyone in dartmoor who could help you out

[Daviewonder]

Sorry to hear about your sister.

 

Welcome to the world of Minis.

 

 

Would like to hear more about the 205's  :)

[rally515]

Hi Pip, as has been said above i'm very sorry to hear of your loss and hope you get more info on how it happened so suddenly

 

With regards to the mini, You,ve come to the right Forum    ..

We're  freindly helpful bunch of folk's here and any Questions you have ask away and you're sure to get help and advice from someone...

 

The bonnet release might be external or internal, if its external the grille will have a notch for your hand at the top ;)

 

Have a good root around the projects thread section to see what lurks beneath the rusty panels

 

Also depending on how much work has already been done you might be needing a few mini parts and panels, below is a few links to the main mini suppliers ;) :

 

http://www.minisport.com/

 

http://www.minispares.com/

 

http://www.dsnclassics.co.uk/

 

http://www.m-machine.co.uk/

 

Also if you need help with work being carried out like paint and maybe sand blasting the shell back to good metal there are a few guys on here that have specialist mini companies that offer a range of services :)

 

Cheers

Cliff

[sonikk4]

Hi Pip and welcome to TMF, so sorry to hear about your sister, such a young age.

 

Whatever you do don't be embarrassed to ask what you feel are silly or stupid questions. We will always do our very best to help and guide any member to ensure they get the answers that they need to enable them to get their cars on the road and to maintain them on a day to day basis.

 

There are lots of good suppliers of parts, panels etc and we do have a very wide experience base on here that will cover every part of your car.

 

You may want to consider becoming a TMF+ member as well (£5 per year). This will give you access to discounts with various companies which if you need a lot of parts can save you a lot of money and you will recoup your fiver very very quickly.

[nollyd]

Hi pip.so sorry to hear about your sis.but its also a big loss to the world of mini when a mini enthusiast passes away.we are all here for you and hope you get the mini bug instead of the pug bug.main thing i would say about mini is ask these lot anything you want.they willalways come up with an answer for you.try to have a go at doing little jobs first then read up on jobs before you start them.be confident with it.if it starts to get u down cover it up and come back later.minis are here to wind us up.the amount of blood.sweat and tears ive read about on here.its a great forum to be in and i wish u all the best and luck in the world.if i lived nearer i would be there without hesitation.ask on the mini chat section if anyone near you would help out.youd b surprised.catch ya later and keep us updated ok.x

[dusk595]

Thanks guys :) We think we've found someone with a trailer who may be willing to help us out. I won't be back down there until next month, hopefully I'll be bringing Big Red back with me. Then I can at least find this elusive release catch

[Yoda]

Sad it is, but a memorial mini to look after we now have .

 

Much help there is on here. So a stranger do not be.

 

 

 

Stupid questions there are not, just stupid answers we sometimes see. but be strong with the force and ask away, here to help we are.

[Was a Mayfair but not now]

you must always keep this car !!! your loss has really touched me.sounds daft but years ago i lost my grandad and and i was given a few ornaments and a hoover !!!!! i still have and use this hoover and even if it packs up i will keep it for ever !! im new to minis too so were all learning. i would love to see some pics of your car when you can. ohhh yes and you have to name him/her !!!!! mines call frankie. hahaha x

[andy159]

when my grandad passed away his old washing machine was given to my sister as she was at uni in birmingham and although it was old then it went to four different addresses around birmingham and then i had it when i moved out. i had it for quite a few years even though it was old and knackered and very noisy and only needed repairing for a few minor things. but alas it got too old ( i think about 20 years old) and noisy and needed to be replaced, it was very sad to see it go as i knew it was just going to be scrapped but it held a lot of sentiments from my grandad and also of my sisters uni years too. its strange how even the mundane objects can have sentimental value.