I have just joined the forum as i am starting to relive my past. I had my first mini 55 years ago. Being an engineer i cut my teeth on it learning how to drive, how it worked, how to fix it and how it was a great attraction to give girls a lift home.
Like most youngsters noise and speed were the order of the day so it did not stay standard for very long. From that love of the car i went on to build 2 Cooper S cars and did a little rallying. Great excuse to keep a girl out all night without her father complaining. Over the years i probably bought 7 or 8 minis of different types which i did up and flogged to help maintain a wife and family. great fun.
As i got older i moved on to other motoring playthings and have built up a little collection of classic cars as part of an enjoyable pension scheme. It did not include a MINI.
Now retired and restoring the odd car as a hobby to keep me off the streets i decided it was time to go back to my young days and buy a mini. So i have purchased an orange Mini Clubman estate from 1978 as a restoration project. Its quite tidy with only 56K on the clock and currently on the road. My intension is a complete stripdown and rebuild including engine, paint subframes etc so should end up as good as new with added value and an addition to my pension.
I belong to a few forums and each one is a brilliant place to go to for advice and parts with lots of helpful friendly members. I am sure the mini forum is no different