So I had a dream of always wanting to own a classic mini, It then basically started like most projects, always wanted one, bit the bullet and got one. Wasn't really sure what I was getting or what to do. But I got one regardless. I Am the type of guy that scours the likes of eBay and Autotrader for bargains and adds them to my watch list for the sheer excitement of the possibility of getting the 0.99p bargain. (still to happen to this day)

 

I found what seemed like a good example of an mpi mini cooper not too far away from me. Ideal for a restoration/project. Although I had no Idea really, but I pretended I was the eBay God. I sent the usual emails to the fellow eBayer. Questions like..."has it any rust?" Which I realise now was quite possibly the most stupid question possible for this scenario. The guy on the other end must have thought... 'Great another dreamer!'

 

After a few emails chucked back and forth, I bought the beautiful blue mini, unseen! Stupid! Yes! Idiotic Yes!..... But hey I am the eBay GOD!!

 

A week or so past and it was time for me to go and collect my 'Dream' car. With a hugely inappropriate plant trailer, me and my Father headed over to Morecambe. The location was on a typical british industrial estate. Cars parked everywhere on the street/ pavement/ sidewalk (whatever takes your fancy). Dozens of identical grey, dull looking buildings, potentially hiding amazing treasures within (or so I hoped). After a lot of wrong turns and possibly finding every single company on the estate but the one we needed. We stumbled upon on the spot and it was a small garage stuffed with little minis. As we meandered our way  into the garage, dodging the 2nd hand cars that had over spilled from next door. I was amazed to find a sparkling blue mini staring at me. The Owner strolls from behind through what seemed like a heavenly mist. I felt like I was dreaming and my vision was foggy through amazement. That, or the high levels of obnoxious gases and chemicals was creating a natural high.

 

As I awoke from my trance I exchanged a manly handshake with this 'del boy' looking fellow. Unfortunately as I did so he slowly adjusted my vision to another blue mini. Sitting there with its moth bitten seats and sorry looking face. I quickly realised that eBay God I was not ( for this occasion anyway). I was staying positive as I looked over the vehicle. Mainly because I didn't want to give away to the owner that I was way in over my depth. Which doesn't take much as I am a mini Virgin.

 

As a big fella, the question that was going through mine and my family's head was. "Can you actually fit in a mini?" So I progressed to the door, which looked like it was holding on by a metal swarf. As I screeched the door open, the overwhelming aroma hit me, like I had rammed a dozen 'wet cat' tree car fresheners up each nostril. It literally took my breath away. It was the kind of smell that puts hairs on your chest.

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As the grand tour of the mini neared the finale, I exchanged a fair few notes and began mission, 'Getting a battered mini on a trailer' Catchy I know. As I drove it out of the garage and on the bearing towards the back of the trailer I quickly discovered that there was a lack of power. Struggling to reverse up a 5 degree mountain of an entrance to get in line with the trailer. I crunched into first gear and aimed for the ramps. As I headed towards the ramps, the little mini introduced me to another feature. Its engine was apparently held on by one and a half very rotten mounts.

 

Once on the trailer me and my father started the process of securing the mini, soon realising that we had only brought one ratchet strap. This was no issue though as Me and my Father were well 'experienced'  in this field of work.  We set off on our way home, waving to the now strangely very happy garage owner. As we swooped round the first roundabout out of the industrial estate our skills were soon highlighted as the mini decided it was a bumper car and slid straight over bumping on the side of the trailer. Apparently the mini weighs considerably less than a 2 tonne digger that we are so experienced in transporting.

 

After what seemed like a lifetime of teetering round corners and very lethargic accelerating home, we made it. We set the mini on firm ground and I invited the family outside to admire the beauty that was the 1.4 Litre Multi point injection Tahiti blue 1999 Rover Mini Cooper. My parents memory of the Mini from their days were not so rusty and they also were very impressed by the black swirly roof and the bowling bowl shape dent in the roof  that sat precariously over the drivers side head. The black sooty water kicking off the exhaust was also a first for my parents. I assured them that it's a common occurrence for this age of mini. I soon went to what I knew best, drifting. The mini was hardly driveable and did not feel as responsive as the likes of the Sherpa or the sunny. I felt like I was doing more damage to the car, 'yes it was possible'. So i quickly retired the mini to my nicely tidied ex tool shed.

The Next morning I got stuck in and that's where the rest begins..............