The Mini Shrine Build Journals

Custom Garage Door Opener

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:02:56 -0600

Project Mgb --

My Mini didn't have a switch in the position to the far left of the start/stop switch, so I bought a similar used switch panel on eBay as a donor in order to add a switch for a garage door opener. In addition to using the donor assembly for its toggle switch, I also had to cut out a section of the donor printed circuit board and rubber button portion. I electrically separated the upper and lower contacts of the donor printed circuit board so that the switch can open/close one garage door when toggled up, and a second garage door when toggled down. I soldered a pigtail onto the portion of donor board, and the pigtail runs to a standard garage door opener circuit board that I stashed behind the panel next to the throttle pedal. I didn't pull power from the vehicle to power the garage door opener--this addition is completely isolated from the vehicle electronics--so it needs to be accessible to periodically change the coin battery on the garage door opener circuit board. The part I was most nervous about was cutting my panel for the additional switch. I practiced on the donor first, and ended up using a few carbide burrs in a rotary tool to gradually carve away the plastic from the back, referencing the shape and thickness of the far right switch plastic cutout. The plastic is white, so when it got close to breaking through, the black paint on the critical surface showed through as a perfect depth indicator, if that makes sense. It worked out really well, the garage door opener works great, and the toggle switch looks original, aside from it not being labeled - secret switch;). I'm really happy with how it turned out!

<IMG 1670>	<IMG 1645>	<IMG 1654>
<IMG 1652>

Posted 2025-12-20 15:02:56 by Eric S

DIY Cargo Floor Panel

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:17:41 -0600

Project Mgb --

My Clubman didn't come with a spare tire or a cargo floor panel, so I decided to make a floor panel to store some things out of sight. I used some black PVC house trim and aluminum slatwall inserts for added strength from Menards. I didn't hinge them but can easily move them out of the way or stack them if needed. This also allowed me to use a WeatherTech cargo liner, which I like.

<IMG 1674>	<IMG 1675>	<IMG 1676>
<IMG 1672>

Posted 2025-12-20 14:17:41 by Eric S

3 Generations - Minis In The Family

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:39:21 -0500

My British Drivers --

Yesterday, Sunday, August 17th, 2025 my Son Jeremy, Grandson Kaden and I went out to Mission Raceway Park for the BC Historic race meeting. Kaden, just turned 17, drove his '06 MINI Cooper S to the race track, I drove the S, with Kaden alongside, on the Parade Laps at mid-day...and Jeremy drove us back to Maple Ridge. I first got into Classic Minis when Jeremy & I built a Mini for him as he graduated high school in 1993. It was a complete refresh with needed steel, an MG Metro !275 engine over a pre-A+ transmission with pressurized layshaft. I borrowed Jeremy's Mini for the Sports Car Club of BC Race Drivers School at Mission Raceway on the original River's Edge Road Course. Jeremy's older Brother Tyler bought a little used 1980 Mini 1000 in 1995 and I bought it from him in 1999. That Mini went on as POOH and after restoration and upgrade with 1380 power gained a trailer known as Hunny Pot. Jeremy ordered a new MINI Cooper S and took delivery of the '04 S in November 2003. His Classic Mini was sold on and today resides in Clackamas County, Oregon.

<KadenMissionRaceway08172025>	<Jeremys76MinivancABFM>	<POOHinRedwoods2008a>
<KadenAtDavisBayAug2013>

Posted 2025-08-18 09:39:21 by Rick Higgs

Mods On The Mini SE

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 14:36:26 -0500

Paul Moffatt's Journal --

Replace front grill and surround de-chromed the car and de-badged the car.

<beforeafter>

<20210411 155551>

Posted 2021-07-05 14:36:26 by Paul Moffatt

New Membership Payment System

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:42:03 -0500

The Webmaster Zone --

Hi everyone, Very glad to announce, after many weeks of work, that the all new membership payment system is up and running! [b]Click on the "My Account" menu at the top of the page, then select any of the Supporting Membership options.[/b] [b]Key features:[/b] 1. Credit cards are accepted directly through the Stripe payment processor. [b]No more PayPal.[/b] (Existing Paypal membership subscriptions will continue to work until cancelled.) 2. New 3, 6, and 12 month subscription options instead of only annually. 3. One click billing/card updates and easy subscription cancellation right from the Membership page. 4. All membership payment and management functions now work on smartphones and tablets too. If you have any questions or comments, please click "Contact Support" at the bottom of any page. Regards, Skye Nott Webmaster, Autoshrine.com

<My Account - Buy a Supporting Membership screenshot>

Posted 2021-04-19 15:42:03 by Skye Nott

LUCKY The Countryman - Home For Final Build

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:11:10 -0500

My British Drivers --

Body work and paint was completed. Front & rear sub frames installed...after new steering rack and front to rear fuel & brake lines. Fuel tank installed. Front & rear suspension installed, steering column installed, new brake & clutch master cylinders installed. Lots more to do before certification & licensing next spring.

<LuckyHomeB>

<LuckyHomeC>

<LuckyHomeA>

Posted 2020-10-20 12:11:10 by Rick Higgs

Pooh Now Lives Near Victoria, B.C.

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 12:05:32 -0600

My British Drivers --

A subsequent buyer has contacted me to get information about the modded 1980 Mini 1000 that I had sold. I gave him some information about the history of the Mini - my older son was the 2nd owner, I was the 3rd...& the build and a little about its awards & travels. Alfred the new owner has put his stamp on the Mini...it is in good hands.

<The close to original Russet Brown Mini 1000>	<The modified Mini known as Pooh stretching its legs>	<Alfred's 1380 powered Mini takes on a new look>
<Still rolling almost 40 years after the first photo!>

Posted 2018-11-05 12:05:32 by Rick Higgs

Hunny Pot Has A New Home...

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 11:58:10 -0600

My British Drivers --

I was approached at the Vancouver ABFM about the custom Mini Trailer known as 'Hunny Pot'. Would I sell it? Yes. Amount was agreed. SOLD It has gone off to a new home, been repainted to match a 1973 Mini sedan and I wish the owner & trailer well.

<Pooh & Hunny Pot in the California Redwoods 2008>

Posted 2018-11-05 11:58:10 by Rick Higgs

New Secure Web Server Is Online

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:06:12 -0600

The Webmaster Zone --

Update - Tuesday Feb 27 The web servers was down from 10:00pm to 1:30am for maintenance which took much longer than expected. Normal operation has resumed, sorry for the delay. [hr] [b]KNOWN ISSUES[/b] The following bugs are being worked on right now, no need to report them again: [b]Delivery to yahoo.com and verizon email addresses is slow[/b] - looks ok now [s]member and events map broken[/s] fixed [s]attaching images to forum posts error[/s] fixed [s]uploading images to registry/profile error[/s] fixed [s]Cannot post in the forums[/s] fixed [s]Forum smilies not showing[/s] fixed [hr] Hello, On Wednesday Feb 22 at 2:20 PM Pacific Time, the main front-end web server for this website and all the websites in the [url=http://www.autoshrine.com/]AutoShrine Network[/url] went down. Technicians were dispatched, but the server would no longer power on, probably due to a motherboard or power supply failure. This was just one of five servers that serve this website to millions of visitors. There have been intermittent problems with this particular machine for a while - I was planning on replacing it next month. No data was lost, as I had already moved the database to a new machine several months ago. I've been working long days since it went down to restore service as quickly as possible. Since I had to build a new front-end web server from scratch anyway, I've taken this opportunity to upgrade the underlying technology to improve security and add features. The new server is also more fault tolerant. One major improvement is the new web server supports encryption. No more warnings about insecure passwords when you sign in, and it allows me to add new payment technology to the website. Your web browser should now indicate "Secure" or show a lock icon to indicate this website is encrypted. All old, insecure links should be automatically redirected to the new secure pages. Since many components of the web server have changed, there may be new bugs, broken features, or performance issues. It's going to take a few weeks to get everything back to normal. [b]If you paid for a Supporting Membership between Wednesday Feb 20 and Thursday Feb 22, please check your Home Page and Payment History to verify they were processed properly.[/b] (both can be found under the "My Account" menu in the black navigation bar across the top of the website) If you find anything on the website is not working the way it was before, please open a support ticket by clicking "Website problem? [b]Send us a message[/b]" at the bottom of any page. Thanks for your patience, Skye Nott Webmaster

Posted 2018-02-22 15:06:12 by Skye Nott

HISTORY OF MY 1967 COOPER S

Tue, 02 Jan 2018 07:33:38 -0600

Jeff Steindler's Journal --

This is a history of my Cooper S - from the first owner up to present day. This journal should prove to be a valued addition for when it is sold on Bring a Trailer.com when I become too old to drive it. This journal will be mostly many disjointed entries which, over time, will be eventually coordinated into a coherent story. SPRING1970 - Jim McVey and I ( both 15 years old ) decide to go and watch a movie at the Kearse Theater while visiting the downtown area of my hometown of Charleston, WV. We watch a double-feature: Ace High ( with Eli Wallach and Terrance Hill ) and The ITALIAN JOB. We had no idea what either movie was about when we chose to go to the theater - I am really glad now that we did. When I left the theater, my life was about to change because I wanted to buy a Mini Cooper. SEPT 1972 - I had been riding off-road motorcycles ( Hodaka and Bultaco ) since 8th grade, so I already had gasoline flowing in my veins [ and some mechanical-repair aptitude] and a desire for speed. A Mini Cooper remained my first choice for my first car with a Ford Mustang Mach 1 fastback as my second choice. But where would I find a Mini Cooper? One day, out-of-the-blue, my high school classmate ( 11th grade ), Harry Bell drove by in his red MGB-GT and gave me a hand-prepared flier showing a 1967 Mini Cooper S ( owned by Henry Mingledorf ) for sale in downtown Charleston. Henry was a member of the local SCCA car club here in Charleston and he circulated the fliers at the last meeting. I called the guy and found out where he lived. My father and I dove to his apartment house the next evening to look at it. I had never seen a Mini in person and as we walked-up to it I was very put-off on first sight - a tiny, little car with this steering column and steering wheel sticking up by itself and NO dashboard. I was SO put-off that I didn't even want to talk to the owner. We drove home and that was that. After stewing over that first impression overnight, I called the Mini Cooper owner the next day and went to his apartment after school that afternoon to see it again. We walked around the Mini Cooper and the owner showed me the engine and talked-up its 628 racing cam and 7500 RPM redline ( ! ). Then came the test drive! The previous owner ( a Mini Cooper racer in Kentucky ) had installed 4:11 ratio differential gears for autocrossing and this Mini would really accelerate. Combine that with an old, loud glass-pack muffler and things were looking better. With Henry driving down Kanawha Boulevard along the Kanawha River, I asked if it cornered well. Without warning he suddenly yanked a hard right turn on to a side street at-speed with no consequences. I was sold! The asking price was $1600. I was working part-time at Young's Feed and Seed store making $1.60 an hour, so my finances were tight. After some back-and-forth on the price, we settled on a price of $1450 and I drove my new Mini Cooper home. On February 26, 1968, Gregory Morton bought my Cooper S new at Waldron Motors in Del Ray Beach, Florida, It was later sold to Damon Pleasants, who was a dentist in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr Pleasants was also a Mini-racer and bought the car for the late-model Cooper S engine. He wanted the nitrided and cross-drilled crankshaft, the thick-flange engine block and the spicer u-joints for his racing Mini. He removed the original engine and replaced it in my Mini with another Cooper S engine some 10,000 engine numbers earlier. It had the 628 racing camshaft with, as it turned-out, a worn-out exhaust lobe!. Used, lightened tappets ( more about those later ) had also been installed along with the 4:11 differential gears. My new Mini Cooper was only 4 1/2 years old and was well-used: 1) It had already been painted a non-original blue color because it had a replaced left front fender and body-work over the left rear fender 2) The original grille had been replaced with a home-made wire-mesh grille 3) The driver's seat was replaced with a well-used leather racing seat 4) The fresh-air intake tube in the engine compartment was missing 5) The original steering wheel had a broken spoke and was replaced with a Pep-Boys 12" steering wheel 6) Both door-straps were broken 7) The exhaust system had been replaced with a custom exhaust from a muffler shop 8) The original carpet was worn, torn, and coming apart 9) Rust was present on both sides of the front floors with some perforation at the front seam. The rocker panels were also rusted with several holes present. Rust was also present on the left front door hinge panel and several other places on the body. This is what quickly happened to cars of this era located in the rust-belt. 11} The chrome-trim-connecting rivet joints around both rear windows had rusted apart. 12) Both rear suspension trailing arms had very worn-out pivot bushings 13) And the un-synchronised first gear was failing. It would jump out-of-gear upon acceleration unless it was the shifter was pushed-forward and held in gear with your right hand Despite all this, it was MY Mini Cooper and i was so happy with my first car! It was a big hit at high school. For a while, I had to go look for it in the parking lot because my classmates would move ( carry ) it to a different place in the lot. SUMMER 1972 - My Mini Cooper became my daily driver to high school and my after-school job at the local Suzuki motorcycle shop. Highway driving was limited to about 50 MPH because the 4:11 gearing made the engine really, really scream at speed. Everything went along fine for a few months - I lived with the first gear FLAW , but it was slowly getting worse. Then one day, as I drove my Mini Cooper to high school, i noticed that the oil pressure gauge read ZERO. Further investigation led to a probable oil pump failure, requiring removal of the engine. Since I had learned to do all of my own repairs on my motorcycles, I moved ahead and did this repair myself. One of my car-repair mentors, John Fisher, has already said, " ......just follow your shop manual religiously and ask when you have questions ". There were many specific questions and they were answered by Mr. Fisher and another local mentor, Jay Coleman, who was a Mini Cooper SCCA RACER who lived in town. Jay Coleman was quite a character. He was Vice-President of Parco Steel in Charleston and raced a white Cooper S ( white with a purple roof - named 'SAM" ) in east coast SCCA races and local autocrosses. Somewhere along the way, he had tragically lost his left leg and as a result he had to make a special modification to race his Mini Cooper: He rigged the gear shift lever with a MOTORCYCLE CLUTCH LEVER which operated a clutch master cylinder which operated a Cooper S brake booster ( on the right front floor ) which operated the clutch slave cylinder. And it all worked splendidly - and he was FAST ! I would eventually own this race-Mini after he sold it to his friend, Dave Salisbury. When Dave retired from racing it, he stripped the car for some reason and was going to JUNK the body. He asked me if I wanted it and I said, "CERTAINLY". I used it to draw attention to my imported car repair business, the Sports Car Clinic. I placed it on the building's roof, near the front door. John Fisher and Jay Coleman were always available for advice and guidance as I proceeded with this, my first major car repair, which I undertook at home in my parents' garage. Upon removal of the engine and separation of it from the transmission, I found that metal from the failing first gear had ruined the oil pump. The repair involved replacement of the oil pump, the first gear, laygear, layshaft, and layshaft bearings. I finished the repair by replacing the 4:11 gears with stock XXXX gearing. Everything went back together with no problems. Now, highway cruising at 60 MPH was no problem with the engine taching at 4300 RPM. The front floor rust allowed water to soak the floor when driving in the rain. I cut-out all of the rust and welded new 18-gauge sheet metal in its place I had already taught myself to weld as part of the rust-repair project that my other Mini ( 1967 Austin Mini 850 van ) became. The rust repair was finished with a liberal coating of Rustoleum RED METAL PRIMER. Sept 1973 - After high school I went to college at Virginia Tech, or VPI, at Blacksburg, Virginia, studying Mechanical Engineering. My Cooper S was my daily driver and I drove it the 140 miles each way between my home in Charleston, WV and VPI every weekend. This weekly-commute was two-fold: to see my girlfriend back at home AND to ride my dirt bike every Sunday. This required some very-late Sunday night driving, but that was never a problem because I had installed ITALIAN-JOB style SEV-Marchal driving lights ( with 120 Watt bulbs ) shortly after I bought my Cooper S. Additionally, driving between Charleston and Blacksburg requires driving the West Virginia Turnpike - a TOLL ROAD with $3.75 in tolls each way. A cost-saving measure I quickly adapted was to drive a different route which by-passed the Turnpike ( adding 25 miles each way ). Those extra miles were GREAT sports-car miles over Sandstone Mountain and Deepwater Mountain where I could really push my Mini Cooper to its limits. FEBRUARY 1977 One cold, snowy Winter Monday morning, along my way back to VPI, at a stop sign in the town of Oak Hill WV, I slid 60 feet on ICE and rear-ended an AMC Javelin. My Mini Cooper sustained a bunch of front-end sheet-metal damage and smashed lights, but it still ran and drove. I turned-around and drove back home, straightened-up the hood and fenders, installed new headlights, and continued on my way back to VPI with a new project ahead of me: collision repair and a whole-car paint job..................... FALL 1977 I drove my Mini with the make-shift repairs until late summer when I started the final repairs. The right front fender, front valance panel and front bumper were replaced and the body was prepped for painting.I removed the lights and as much of the trim as I could and wet-sanded ( ALL by hand ) all of the body ( except for the roof - it has remained original white paint ) down to either the metal or to the original paint. I paid a painter at the local Pontiac dealership to re-paint it in its original Island Blue color. JANUARY 2023....more to come..........

<Freshly bought for $1450 in October 1972>	<Freshman year at VPI, Blacksburg, Va - October 1973>	<Winter 1974 at VPI duckpond>
<Spring 1975 at VPI>	<Collision repairs started - Summer 1977>	<Collision repairs progressing - Summer 1977>
<Body prepped for painting - Summer 1977>	<Wedding day - July 1979>

Posted 2018-01-02 07:33:38 by Jeff Steindler

Back Online After Database Failure

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 10:59:14 -0600

The Webmaster Zone --

Hello everyone, Due to a complete failure of the database server, we went down yesterday at about 4PM Pacific Time. With a bit of ingenuity and a bit of luck, I was able to recover all data and provisioned a new server overnight. Everything should be working normally now, with no posts or other data lost. Ironically, it happened while I was working on a better system to back up the database. Thank you for your patience. Skye Nott Webmaster

Posted 2017-12-05 10:59:14 by Skye Nott

Private Message Limits Increased

Sun, 02 Apr 2017 15:29:12 -0500

The Webmaster Zone --

Hello everyone, Now that the database upgrade is nearing completion, and I finally have the ability to do "hot backups" without taking the website offline for maintenance, I'd like to give everyone a little bonus. Effective immediately, all Private Message (PM) storage limits are now doubled Free Members: 500 -> 1,000 Silver Members: 750 -> 1,500 Gold Members: 1,000 -> 2,000 Platinum Members: 1,500 -> 3,000 Hope this makes everyone's life a little easier, especially for you vendors out there that use PMs a lot! Thanks for your support, Skye Nott Webmaster

Posted 2017-04-02 15:29:12 by Skye Nott

Next Database Upgrade Feb 17 2017

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 15:53:24 -0600

The Webmaster Zone --

The new database servers are performing well under load, so I'll be continuing the database conversion process to the new layout for all websites, which will pave the way for better replication and backup systems. Please expect to see the "Scheduled maintenance" message on Friday night, February 17, 2017 starting at 9:00 PM Pacific time. I expect the work to take 4-6 hours as I want to take a full backup of the system for safety before making any changes. Once the websites are back up, there should be no visible difference in the operation or performance of the website. Schedule: Jan 4 - HealeyExp, CycleKart, all non-forum tables (all sites) Feb 10 - TriumphExp forums (posts, attachments, search db) Feb 17 (planned) - MGExp forums, all other website forums Thanks, Skye Nott Webmaster [url=http://www.autoshrine.com/]AutoShrine.com[/url]

Posted 2017-02-09 15:53:24 by Skye Nott

Emergency Database Upgrade & What's Next

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 20:41:25 -0600

The Webmaster Zone --

Hello everyone, You've probably noticed that this website has had some unplanned downtime lately. I'm not sure about the exact cause, it's probably an intermittent hardware failure as the techs keep finding the main server powered off at the console. I've been rebooting and repairing the database as needed to keep things running, while making plans to transition to brand new servers with updated database, webserver, and firewall software. The good news is I've already run the migration plan on some of my smaller websites, and it's working brilliantly. The bad news is that the frequency of crashes on the old server seem to be increasing, so I'm going to have to accelerate the transition schedule for all the websites and do a lot of the changes, well, right now. That's what all the downtime today (Jan 4) has been about. By the time you're reading this, the website will be running off new transactional database servers - which means no more biweekly downtime to do backups, better security, stability, replication support, and better support for new features in the future. This is only the first, but probably the biggest, step in the plan to update the hardware & software platform this website runs on. [b]Unfortunately due to the emergency database move, I haven't been able to fully test compatibility and scaling. There may be some bugs or slowness to iron out over the next few days. If you encounter a bug or error message, please copy the error message and email me with a description of what you were doing. There's a link to email me (the webmaster) at the bottom of every page.[/b] A little bit of background about me, and this website, as I tend to operate behind the scenes: This website is part of the [url=http://www.autoshrine.com/]AutoShrine Network[/url], a group of 20+ auto enthusiast websites that I've created over the last 10 years that now serves 2.5 million pageviews to 250,000 unique visitors every month and is completely free to access. I wrote most of the code from scratch (I used to be a software engineer) and I'm the sole owner and operator of the whole operation. You may not know that many car forums on the Internet are owned by two large corporations, both of which have approached me with offers, but I turned them down as I don't believe they would deliver the same kind of quality online club experience for you. In addition to webmaster duties, coding new features, html/css/javascript design for desktops, tablets, and smartphones, and sysadmin duties like provisioning servers, creating backup plans, security, monitoring, and system upgrades, I also provide personal support to 80,000+ registered members, review edit and publish calendar events, review edit and publish tech articles in the library, manage all the social media pages for each site (80+ feeds), and moderate the forums. That's the short list. It's often more than a full time job, and I've been on call 24/7 for years, but I'm very happy to provide something that useful to so many people and keeps so many cool old cars (and karts and trucks and scooters) on the road. I thank all of you for your contributions whether it's posting answers to question or financial support, and I promise to continue to provide access to all features and information on this website, to anyone in the world, without charge. I can provide the platform, but it's YOU that makes this a community. If you haven't already, please consider becoming a [url=http://%HTTP_HOST%/membership]Supporting Member[/url]. 100% of proceeds go towards operating and improving this website. The new database servers alone cost an additional $300/month. I've got great plans for new and improved features in 2017, and I'd love to be able to contract out some work - like finishing writing the Help Topics, and catching up on editing tech library articles - so I can focus on the big stuff. But for the next few months, it's going to be all about finishing the new servers & software platform! Thanks in advance for your patience through this upgrade process. Skye Nott Webmaster

Posted 2017-01-04 20:41:25 by Skye Nott

New Addition To The Stable

Sun, 05 Oct 2014 14:53:39 -0500

George Heissenberger's Journal --

I didn't mention it until now but I've traded in my beloved Jeep Wrangler for a new Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL 4! What a sweet ride and I am enjoying the benefits that come with a brand new vehicle. Lots of fun on the twisties, great acceleration and great on gas too! So now I have been having to decide which car to take the MG or Mini?

<Little Red>

Posted 2014-10-05 14:53:39 by George Heissenberger

Unique Unipower

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:59:44 -0500

Roger Butt's Journal --

The Mini-engined Unipower GT was launched at the 1966 Racing Car Show by Universal Power Drives Ltd of Perivale, Middlesex. One of the most successful Mini derivatives, it was even entered for the 1969 Le Mans race. Around 75 cars are believed to have been built, and surviviors have become very valuable.
The example seen here looks very smart wearing JAP Magna wheels.

<Unipower GT at Donington Kit Car show 2012>

Posted 2013-06-18 13:59:44 by Roger Butt

JAP Magnas & The Radford Mini De Ville

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:35:46 -0500

Roger Butt's Journal --

London coachbuilder Harold Radford – already having created estate versions of Aston Martin’s DB5 & DB6 – made the original Mini a high-fashion icon with his hand-crafted Radford Mini de Ville offering a rare, opulent, distinctly up-market version of the diminutive machine with unique celebrity status. The original Radford coachbuilt Mini was the ultimate motoring designer label of the Swinging Sixties.
To read more, go to the History section of our website, or follow this link: http://japearceengineering.com/history/

<Radford De Ville Mk 3 Mini Cooper 1275S, 1970>

Posted 2013-06-18 13:35:46 by Roger Butt

The Australian Leyland Mini Window Van ROO

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:22:02 -0500

My British Drivers --

I bought ROO in 2010 to be our means of travelling around Australia in 2011 the 50th Anniversary Year for Mini in Oz. The Van was a lightly used and unabused 1973 model with 1098cc 'A Series' engine - modified head for unleaded fuel and with the later non-OZ Metro 8.4" disc brakes up front...thus running on 12" wheels. It was thoroughly prepared - new rad/hoses/belt/water pump, new clutch/slave and idler gear bearings, new engine and tranny seals, new QH universal joints, new muffler & tailpipe, relays for lights/horn, serviced starter & alternator, new HiLo cones up front & Koni Sport adj. dampers. After a Brisbane to Sydney test drive and the week of Mini 50 celebrations on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, we set out with the Kornbrekke's to drive One Lap of Australia...touring the continent over 70 days. The 4 of us had a terrific time in the two Minis. We logged 29,000 kilometres in our driving in ROO but missed the boat to Tasmania. So we returned in October this year to drive south to Melbourne for the ferry to Tassie with 2 weeks in the island state including the biennial 'TasMiniFest' in Hobart. PHOTOS: from the 2011 trip 1) in Brisbane, 2) on Cable Beach, Indian Ocean at Broome, 3) replacing CV & bearings on Day 68 (Gore Hwy.), 4) adding fuel at Barrow Creek, Northern Territory (I deliberately ran out to see what distance I could get on a tank) Four Classic Minis set out for Melbourne with combined age exceeding 130 years. Just a few minor difficulties for the 4 Minis on the road - one waterpump replaced during morning tea, one SU float bowl needle cleaned, one minor bit of rewiring for GPS...though I did replace the failing QH driveshaft joints with new rubber/steel joints after returning to Brisbane. The Van was delivered to my shipping broker on November 25th, 2013 was trans-shipped in Yokohama, Japan and got to Port Metro Vancouver on January 14th, 2014. I scooped the vehicle from the dock on January 17th for required B.C. Safety & Glass Inspections, after which it was registered, licenced and insured to be driven home on January 25th. ROO will take up duties for club events, shows and Mini Meets. Since arrival I have added to my stock of new suspension components to fully set-up the Van...and am preparing to build a 1293 cc power unit with rebuilt tranny for pot joints. All of which will better suit the mountainous west, improve grip & tire wear and North American road travel.

<IMG 1036 (2)>	<IMG 3536>	<ROOgetsBearings>
<DSCN2139>

Posted 2013-06-04 11:22:02 by Rick Higgs

It's Been A Long Road

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 19:21:48 -0600

Pat Tillapaugh's Journal --

It's been a long road since I started back in '96. I've managed to collect 3 more Minis in the passage of time.I've managed to put over 400,000 miles on the 1st car we call Kenny.He earned that name from a co-worker of mine I used to carpool with,it seemed Kenny broke down every other week,the cartoon South Park was just starting out.I joined the Vancouver Mini club soon after.I found a mechanic that has a great knowledge of Minis who managed to correct Kenny's problems.Martin Webber has been my "go to guy" for my Minis.I drive my Minis often and parts breakage happens,to the point that one of Martins customers came up with the expression "is it Pat proof?"

Posted 2013-02-17 19:21:48 by Pat Tillapaugh

NEW SITE: The Mini Shrine

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:34:09 -0500

The Webmaster Zone --

Relaunch! For Classic Mini (Austin, Rover, Morris) and New MINI (BMW) Owners:

http://www.minishrine.com/

Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates:

http://www.twitter.com/MiniShrine

"Like" us Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mini-Shrine/151769508169112

Stop by and say hello in the Forums, add to the Registry, or start a restoration & repair Journal.

<The Mini Shrine>

Posted 2011-04-28 13:34:09 by Skye Nott

NEW SITE: The Austin-Healey Experience

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:02:39 -0500

The Webmaster Zone --

For all 3000, 100, 100-Six and Sprite Owners:

http://www.healeyexperience.com/

Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates:

http://twitter.com/healeyexp

"Like" us Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Austin-Healey-Experience/158219524238296

Stop by and say hello in the Forums, add to the Registry, or start a restoration & repair Journal.

<The Austin-Healey Experience>

Posted 2011-04-26 16:02:39 by Skye Nott

Re-painted My Wheels

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:17:54 -0500

Fiona Ross's Journal --

I decided my wheels needed a little T.L.C., so I cleaned, sanded,put 2 coats of paint and a clear coat on them, and I feel like I have new wheels!

<re-painted wheel>

Posted 2010-09-26 14:17:54 by Fiona Ross