Early last Sat. morning on my way home from a Friday night business meeting in
Atlanta, I stopped at the "Hank Aaron MINI" dealership. It was maybe 8:45am,
no other customers in sight. The MINI salesman came out & I requested a test drive with the MCS. I presently own a MC, so you can imagine the thrill of the added
HP. What a difference! I love my MC, but I wish I had driven a MCS before I made
the decision to buy. Still, that was only my 1st thrill. After the test drive I walked into the showroom and much to my surprise there was a Classic MC. Wow, my 1st time. Almost like a great 1st date. Absolutly the most beautiful car of any kind I have ever seen. Ocean blue in color, just perfect. Smaller than I could imagine.
I promise myself & all my MINI friends that within the next 12 months I will be the
proud owner a a car like this. There will be one parked beside my new MC. If you are a MINI Cooper fan & you have never seen a CMC up close, in person, you owe it to yourself to seek this little car out. Car shows, clubs, etc. Don't wait, do it now.
"life rediscovered"

 

The only thing better than seeing a classic mini in person is to see one on a race track. The first time I saw one was back in 1989 at the vintage race at Watkins Glen. I was amazed that such a little car could out run stingrays, shelby mustangs and jags with such ease. So I will add to Garfield's comments and say If you get a chance to see one go and if you get a chance to see a vintage race go!!!

 

This past January here in Phoenix we had the opportunity to see the three fastest Minis in North America race out at PIR. Yes, it was fantastic! The following link has photos I took while there.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290780387

 

The classic Mini Coopers are what made me want to get my new MC! I've always been into classic cars like the old VW's and muscle cars but when I first saw a CMC in London I was hooked! I just love the way the classic coopers look, especially when theyre racing. When ever I see one I can't believe how small they are! I've always wanted to get one but when I saw pics of the new mini cooper in a Mini magazine that I got in England I decided to wait and get the new mini, but I'll get a classic one in the future. :smile:

 

Mini of Concord CA has a BR Green with a white top CMC on display. Great looking car. I lived in England 68-69 and had a friend who was a rabid mini fan. We used to go to Brands Hatch and Silverstone raceway and watch the minis come around the tight corners with the inside front wheel up off the ground. Somewhere I have old 8mm home movies of the races. This thread reminded of those pics. I'll have to see if I can find them.

 

You guys want some real excitment? Check out This CMC site! This place is truely hot! One day these people will build me my dream cmc.

 

I know a few people that have done business with Mark over at Bank Garage. He takes the pain out of the shipping thing. Works hard to find the Mini you want. Smooth transactions and good deals every now and then. They are known as the most expensive bespoke Mini dealer in the world! The right Mini doesn't come cheap!

 

Thanks MINI people for all your comments. Since we all hav MINI fever, I just thought it would be nice to share that Mini moment that Sat. morning. I still cannot
get over how small the classic MC was, much smaller than I thought it would be. However, just like the new MC, there was ample room in the front seats for large people. About 80% of the little car is for people & their things. Simply amazing.
At this time I would like to inform you of a tragic event in the life of a Classic Mini
dealer. Turky (his real name), owner of Turky's Classic Cars in Charleston, S.C.,
had a stroke sometime in the past week. I have never met him, but talked to him
on the phone for around 30 min. recently about his Mini Coopers. I was impressed with his politeness, "Mini energy", and willingness to answer all of my stupid questions. I called him today to probably ask more stuped questions, but was informed that his warehouse will be padlocked for at least 2 months until he recovers from this illness called a stoke. I believe Turky is in this business for maybe some profit (he also owns the largest tow company in Charleston), but I believe he is also a true Mini lover judging by my conversation with him. If you believe in prayer I ask you to remember Turky in your prayers. If you don't have
this belief, then how about just remembering him in your thoughts. There is a real
power in both. Silly? When the first Mini's were marketed in the late 50's there were many who thought this was a silly little car, & would just be a flash in the pan.
Well, you know the rest of the story.

 

When I was in Tahiti a few years back we rented a Mini Moke for a day. It was amazing what such a little engine can do with four people loaded in it. I really want one of those.

Keith Hamburger

 

Hey,
I, too, bought a New MINI because of my CM (not a Cooper). I have been hooked on classic cars all of my life, started with a VW Bug, a VW Ghia, then I saw a CMC in California.. wow cherry red. It was beautiful. Since I live in Germany now, and they are all over the place, I picked one up at last. Although I should have done more research into my final buy, I was too excited. I figured it would have to be rebuilt anyway. (It does, and I'm thinking of dropping a newer motor in it as well) What was my point? Oh yes, though it is much smaller, inside it really feels just as spacious to me. the back seat, in fact, feels much larger. In fact when I was 42+ wks pregnant, I travelled the hour to the hospital laying in the backseat of my little Robin's eggshell-blue 71 Leyland CM. I'm sure to bystanders it must havelooked really funny. For the first few months of my daughter's life too, she rode around (rear facing) in the CM back seat. Since she could see out of the back window, she loved it and everyone who rode behind us ended up waving at her. What a blast!!! I can't wait to get my CM back into great shape! Just thought I'd share...
I love MINIS!!!

 

Cami: Thanks for your thoughts & such a great story. That is a CM story. What city or town are you living in Germany. I was stationed in West Germany while in the
Army in the late 60's, in a town called Kirschgoins (mp), about 40k from Frankfurt.
Thirty-one months at the Rock. Owned 2 VW Beetles during tour, paid $100 for each car & sold my last one for $100 before I left. I don't remember seeing Mini's
during that time.
I hope when I buy my CM its not a lemon. There seems to be no warranty, just a handshake & boy howdy good luck. Willing to take a chance? Very much so! Its just one of those things a person has to have when you have Mini fever. It would be
interesting if someone who reads this post who has Mini experiences like you Cami
would tell us there stories & describe what its like to drive a CM. Just can't get enough of it. The fever is bad, may need a doctor.

 

I too have had the experience of riding in a classic mini, the first time was in England (how appropriate). It was the sheer excitement of that moment which stuck with me long enough to buy my MCS years later! Both cars are pictured in my signature..

 

A closer view of the car that inspired me to buy my MCS...




2003 Dark Silver/White MCS.

 

Hey Garfield,
:smile: I'm living a little south of Wiesbaden these days. WHen we moved here from Bavaria I drove lil' mini to our new house. Ok the motor REALLY needs to be overhauled (though actually we might have a line on a newer motor). At any rate, it was a beautiful day so I got off the Autobahn ASAP and drove along the back roads where the "power" :smile: of the mini shines through. A beautiful drive. At any rate I'm sure you know all about fun driving, owning a MINI AND having owned some Bugs in the past (what a blast!) Ahh can't wait to get back to the States and own lots of cool old cars (well if the bank account allows it that is :smile: )
Have a great day!!!

 

Similar to rfibanez and Calvin77, I fell in love with Mini in England. When I worked in London I would stare out my window every day at the old Classic Mini parked right outside my window. I loved it and knew someday I just had to have my own Mini. I was lucky enough to become friends with a Mini owner and he actually trusted me enough to let me drive it on some curvy roads south of London. I came back to the US and the obsession stuck with me. With the launch of the new MINI, I knew. Finally! I've never been so strongly drawn to purchasing anything like this before - SO much more than just a "new car." I've had my MINI a couple months and I love it! Cheers to the little silver Classic Mini on Ebury Street!

Garfield - Turky is in my thoughts.

 

:smile:

 

Thanks to everyone for all your replys. Great stories. Memories are wonderful, they
become a part of our life story, we could all write a book. A memory is the ingredent
to a fine family recipe that makes us the wonderful "dish" that we are. These are the kind of things I could just eat up. Doug & khamburger, thanks for the photos.
Great shots! What great looking little cars. Man are they little! Got to get one
nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. To both of you, & Cami (even if you need a new motor), as far as I am concerned, you are the rulers. You own a CM.
You rule. (my 29 yr. old son said that would be a cool thing to say)
Please don't take this as bragging, because I don't mean it that way: I own a
Linc Nav & a Mercedes 420SEL. Both gas hogs & large. I am advertising both for sell at this time. As for my garage, my current 03 MC (Chili red), a soon to be CMC,
& a soon to be old PU to launch & pull my boat out of the water after fishing. This is the most enjoyable car I have ever owned. The little car just gets in your system,
its almost hard to explain in words. I'm almost 57 years old, you would think this couldn't happen to me at this age. I love it! Life is great!.
Happy motoring!

 

Oops! Sorry for the long post. Its easy to get carried away!