|
Many years ago,
growing up in Jamaica, my older brothers introduced me to cars and more
importantly to minis. I learnt to drive on a 1966 Mk II Mini Cooper and later
purchase a 1972 Clubman from one of my brothers. Finally, I did a complete
restoration of a 1959 mini, but sadly I had to part with it when I decided to
move to Canada. I have always wanted another mini but others things such as
owning a home and children delayed the purchase. That was until this year
It was my intention
to acquire the cheapest functional car of any model, as I intended to build the
car I had imagined I would, over the many mini-less years since I have owned
one. Ideally, I wanted a Mk. I and had intended to create a Cooper S look-alike
with many mechanical modifications to make the car fun to drive and reliable. I
intended to paint the car Tartan Red with a Black roof. I had just started my
search when I found this car listed for sale on a Mini Club website. Then the
fun began.
What caught my eye
was the fact that this car appeared to be closer to what my dream car would be,
than I thought that I would find. It was a Mk. I, red with a white roof and the
description included the fact that it was a base Mini converted to a Cooper S. It
had all the badges, the right side gas tank, an S engine (still not sure what
size), S brakes, oil cooler, Minilite look-a-likes and more. There was only one
problem, the car was located in the United States, in New York State. I now had
additional things to add to my To Do List. Currency exchange rate, 6 hour drive
just to see the car, method of payment, process of exporting a car from the
United Sates, process of importing can into Canada, transportation for the car,
duty, taxes, etc.
Well, I now own the
car and getting through all the additional activities to get the car home, licensed
and insured, have just added to the adventure of owning a Mini. More
importantly, as I have done a lot of research on the car, I have found that the
car is actually a 1963 Cooper that has been converted to an S. The conversion
was completed in the 60’s, probably when the car was very new. The car must
have been stored for many years as most of the car is original, the lights and the
spare tire are actually from 1963, the wheels are actually Minilites and are
the original magnesium models. The car has been well maintained and has new
tires and brakes and as such I have done very little to it and am able to drive
as it is. |
|
