Unlike many of my age I never owned a Mini when young: loads of my mates had 'em though. I had to wait until our son Robert was coming up to 17 and I bought a Mini Flame: red with white roof. Basically sound but needed a little fettling. Father/son tinkering. We were living in Norfolk at the time and as luck would have it, a major supplier of Mini and Moggie Minor spares was but a few miles away. Sworkscooper may know of it, if it's still in business. I soon got carried away, and after sorting the mechanicals: brakes, radius arms, rockers etc I set about cosmetics: stainless bumpers, replica minilites, stainless flange and roof trims etc. It looked the business if I say so myself.
The Son soon tired of getting oily and so Sue sort of adopted it as an antidote to her new Eurobox Pug 205.
The front scuttle developed leprosy and the local garage replaced and resprayed in return for me wiring their new office extension: paying attention in my electrical classes as an apprentice finally paid off.
As a finale to this tale.... We met a guy called Jeremy in the local pub, a real eccentric, commonly known as Bunny. During a conversation he asked if we owned the smart red mini. It turned out that he was a major designer of Mini graphics and exported around the world. I know, sounds like bull crap but true I swear. He asked if our car could be a model: the agreement was that he'd apply the vinyl, photo for his website, let us run round in it until removal/replacement for the next shoot. Who would refuse that?
We ended up with the world-first Union Flag roof triple-jack and white checker 'ghost' stripes on the bonnet edges: clever design that only showed in a certain light and direction. All free. And pro applied.
Parts were dead cheap: I went to get some rocker shaft adjusting screws (if young, ask yer uncle) and ended up paying 8 quid for a new complete built-up shaft. Because I was a regular he threw in 8 pushrods for nowt. And a choke cable as well.
What became of Darling Belle, as Sue christened her? (Incredible String Band song.. We're old hippies... Go listen!)
As we were imminently moving back oop North to yet another power station and Son was joining the Army we sold her to an American family based at Lakenheath. At a heeeowge profit. Interesting test drive as none had driven a 'stick-shift, Buddy. Can you teach ma Wi-afe how it goes?'
Would we have another? It would be the only thing that may replace the TF in Sue's affections. Me: I'd rather replace a bypass hose than a HG..... Watch this space.
If you're still here, thanks for reading the ramblings of an old man.
PS: Son was amazed that Aged Parent could strip, overhaul and rebuild an SU carb with no instructions. Been there, done that with HS 6 big brother carbs.