When it comes to the classic Mini, there is a lot of misinformation out there. Fortunately there are some experts, too, so we queried a few for some help keeping a fan favorite on the road.
When it comes to the classic Mini, there is a lot of misinformation out there. Fortunately there are some experts, too, so we queried a few for some help keeping a fan favorite on the road.
I have had my 67 Morris Mini Cooper MkII for 52 years now. I bought it from a US Air Force serviceman who was stationed at Upper Heyford in England and bought the car new. He brought it back to the states with him with 16,000 miles. After he blew out both rubber inner "u joints" he decided to sell it in 1971 to me. I have put 52,000 miles on it. It was my only car for 5 years and was driven thru the Michigan winters without a problem. In 52 years it still has the original wiring harness,starter, fuel pump and generator. Lucas electric haters are all wet with their "prince of darkness" jokes! It has never let me down! Being an English Car mechanic for 52 of my 70 years I have learned not to re-engineer the car and don't fix what isn't broke! Every once and a while I will think that maybe I should sell it, but then I take it out for a spin and I just can't get the smile off my face! Nope, I can't part with it yet!
I've been driving Minis since the late 60's, my first was a 1963 Cooper S with the 1071 motor and tiny 7" disc brakes - I drove it all over the country as I have with all of my Minis. They are not garage queens, they are cars and cars are meant to be driven IMHO.
I live in KC and I've had my current Mini - an 89 Racing Green - for 6 years and it's been to the east coast 5 times, Texas Hill County twice, Aspen, Sandy Eggo, Rushmore - all on different trips.
They are crude, cheap little cars but a bucket of fun to own and drive!
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