Do You Remember Your First Mini Drive?
#1
Posted 18 March 2019 - 02:25 AM
I let my mate drive my mini for the first time the other day, he's not a massive car guy but really wanted a go. It was funny seeing him struggle with old car stuff that I've just got accustomed to over the years. (Video here if anyone wants to see - https://youtu.be/5qUhd1zUNmg It's a bit sweary but funny ??)
He said it was one the best experiences of his life which I thought was a pretty cool endorsement coming from a non car guy!
It made me think of my first ever drive of a mini and how I instantly fell in love with how cool it was and how much fun it was despite being ropey as hell ?. After having it for a good few years now it's easy to forget at times how awesome and individual it is and why I fell in love with it in the first place... However crap a day you're having, it just always manages to raise a smile!
#2
Posted 18 March 2019 - 07:26 AM
That's funny!! Has it got indicators? I'm a good driver...the indicators are still on. Lol. You forget how used people are to power steering and more so, modern brake systems. Little wonder he thought they weren't working.
As for my first drive, I think it was my mum's clubman or a mate's back in 1982. It's a while ago so difficult to remember. Even then I remember the steering accuracy and the oddly offset pedals. But yes! A big smile on my face!
#3
Posted 18 March 2019 - 07:31 AM
Ha ha, I like it when he puts his palm on the wheel to steer, like in a modern car with power steering.
My first mini drive was my first drive altogether, so I learned to drive thinking it's 'normal'. I went from my 3rd Mini to an Alfa 145 Cloverleaf. THAT was a shock. But even compared to other classics, they're such a unique driving experience.
#4
Posted 18 March 2019 - 10:23 AM
My Mum had a Clubman estate in the early eighties but the most memorable moment was when my older brother got his first car. It must have been 1989 and he turned up in this sandglow '78 Mini 1000. It was such an antidote to the dreariness my parents were by then driving around in. We went everywhere flat out and I fell in love with the experience, the ridiculousness, the smell, the sounds and particularly the way it cornered. After that my first car had to be a Mini.
#5
Posted 18 March 2019 - 11:58 AM
My first Mini drive was in 1961 when my best friend got one as a present for his 21st birthday. It was a tartan red 850 and it seemed so advanced in terms of road-holding, handling and performance (yes, really).
We are still best friends and we shared the driving/navigating in my 1964 Cooper 'S' last October on the Lombard Bath Rally 2018 and we'll do this event again together this year. My friend now lives in Arizona, so it a bit of a long trip, but he reckons it is worth it to drive a Mini again with me, this year being the 60th anniversary of doing our first proper rally together, in a Morris Minor.
#6
Posted 18 March 2019 - 01:28 PM
my first drive of a mini was driving my mums wreck of an estate (countryman?) on an abandoned airstrip in Bahrain in the late '70s - the old runway was a popular place for a weekend barbecue and after a few beers it was pretty common for parents to get the kids to drive. I suspect this was more for their entertainment than our education as they watched us kangarooing up and down the strip accompanied by the sound of grinding gears and random use of indicators, windscreen wipers and horn. Cant do that anymore as they built the F1 track over it..
#7
Posted 18 March 2019 - 04:56 PM
1985, I was 11 and had been given a 1976 Mini 1000 which was a running MOT failure from a scrapyard. Learned to drive in it and fell in love with it and all things Mini.
#8
Posted 18 March 2019 - 06:51 PM
#9
Posted 18 March 2019 - 07:16 PM
#10
Posted 18 March 2019 - 07:24 PM
Learnt to drive in a Mini back in 1965. Didn't manage to buy one until 1968 though. Clapped out 1961 850 with a hole in the sump, filled with aluminium plate and body filler.
#11
Posted 18 March 2019 - 07:54 PM
Mine was probably driving my now wife's first car home from Rochdale to Stafford, we paid £550 for an 86 Mayfair in 1998,it wasn't mint but probably £2500-3000 now.
#12
Posted 18 March 2019 - 10:16 PM
1978 My first mini OEW morris 848cc If only I still had it
#13
Posted 18 March 2019 - 10:40 PM
My First Mk1 Mini In 1974:-
My first '65 Mk1 Morris Mini-Minor (Tweed Grey) shown here in 1974 before and.......just after I had 'upgraded' the badges, door mirrors, grille and rear lights to Mk3, fitted 'Tilling' winding windows, smoke tinted glass, rear wiper, roof aerial, some 6x10 Mambas with 165 Goodyear Rally Specials, centre exit exhaust and new reflective numberplates + wiper aerofoils !
http://www.theminifo...1-mini-in-1974/
Edited by mab01uk, 18 March 2019 - 10:42 PM.
#14
Posted 19 March 2019 - 10:11 PM
Way cool...Hey folks,
I let my mate drive my mini for the first time the other day, he's not a massive car guy but really wanted a go. It was funny seeing him struggle with old carntly fell in love with....
#15
Posted 20 March 2019 - 07:08 PM
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