I thought I had introduced myself months ago, but I notice that my (rare) contributions are labeled "Neutral," so here goes with [another] brief introduction. Retired professor of English literature and currently coach of a university rowing club, and an owner of sports cars since 1953. In a succession beginning with an MG TD and including a raft of BMWs and a Porsche 996, the two cars that have yielded the most pure entertainment, the ones that have never failed to put a smile on my face are--Drum roll, please.--a 1967 1275 Mini Cooper "S" and my current all-Green '05 MCS. About as much fun as one needs to have in a car, and at a price that's appropriate for a toy. Who could ask for anything more?

The 1275 lived in the vicinity of Madison, WI, where it used to hare about the local country roads to the absolute puzzlement of the locals, who couldn't understand why they were passed so easily in the twisties by a shoebox on a roller skate. To persuade the Ford Fairlanes out of my way, I fitted a Maserati air horn. Who knew a Fairlane could jump sideways?

The current model. Well, it doesn't conk out every time it rains, as the old one did thanks to its electrics by the infamous Prince of Darkness. The alternator and coil were both placed where the splash from a good puddle would drown them. (I took delivery in England, where the designers of course knew it never rains.) A colleague taught me two cool fixes: a boot made of inner tube for the alternator and a condom over the coil and its lead took care of those issues. The new MINI excels in virtually all other departments, too, a worthy successor for a new age of motoring.

I guess you should put me down as an enthusiast, even if I don't do autocross or the track.

Cheers.

 

Welcome! And if you post often enough you won't have that "Neutral" label anymore

Great story about your 1275, it would be fun to have both an old and new MINI to compare the experience. And don't worry, I think a lot of us here consider ourselves enthusiasts even though we don't do anything but enjoy driving our MINIs.

 

A hearty welcome to you sir! This is my first sports car, although I was driven home from the hospital after my birth in an MG, which was saddly traded in for a station wagon shortly thereafter....

 

Welcome. Great story, I to would like to have had the older version. However, I am going to have a blast with the one I will be getting.
Have fun motoring.

- KP

 

Welcome...glad to know your new MINI is giving you that level of satisfaction! It is nice to have AC and airbags in a Mini! I haven't has this much fun since my '67 Spitfire!!

 

I have always maintained, that to fully appreciate the current iteration of the Mini Cooper, one must have been a British car owner previously.

Wouldn't it be nice to still own the TD?

 

I agree with so much of what you wrote, I too came up with some classic British sports cars, TRD 1800. BSA 3 wheeler, TRs, Healey and a few minis to-boot. Oh yes, that beautifully located distributor right behind the grill on a mini ! HA! Enjoyed your posting very much...

 

Enjoyed your post, I had a red GT-6 back in 1968 after returning from VN. Had to trade it for a VW bug as the CHP were not amused by my seeming inability to stay off the gas pedal. The current CR 06S will not be sold, at least not by me anyway ... unless of course I wear it out and need an newer one. Cheers ...

 

Excellent post.
I wonder how many of "us" have had our genes altered by previous British purchases?
My slip was the purchase of a very used '59 Austin Healey when I was 19.

Tim

 

I was in fact offered the TD back several years after I'd sold it to friends. Underpowered, lots of cowl shake, and not nearly the blast to drive that its successor was--a 4-speed, 4 cylinder 1956 Austin-Healey Bn2.

 

My British car experience has been a 1958 Hillman Minx, a 1957 MGA, a 1966 Austin Healey Sprite and of course a 2006 Mini Cooper S. My 57 MGA was almost as much fun as my new MINI but I was a younger man back in 1966 and the MGA got me girls.

 

Sir, you may be in "Neutral" in this forum, but it sounds like you're in "6th Gear" on the road of life and in the Motoring Arena.

I'll be new to MINIing in a few weeks, but have had some fun and not so fun (aka junk) vehicles in the past. In no particular order --- '79 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce , '74 260z , '98 Beetle , '77 FJ Landcruiser , '82 Accord , '66 Plymouth Belvedere , '68, '69, '70 Cougar XR-7's , '96 Harley Springer , '89 Kawasaki Ninja , '77 Camaro , '87 325 , '77 T-Bird , '79 Capri , '74 Nova , '94 Bronco , '03 Civic , '06 AccordEX , '87 Golf GT .

Now after about 20 years of driving and about 25 years of working I can almost afford to buy any car on the market, but only the Harley and the Alfa come close to the lust and fun factors generated by the MINI.

 

Welcome Prof. Your going to have to meet our other 3 esteemed profs on the board (well 3 I know off). You will know when you see their names ... except for our esteemed INI, from IOWA ... you would never know

 

From one of the other profs, great post!

My Dad had an MG TD...he sold it for money to have my brother and buy something more practical (not a Fairlane but close...a Falcon!).

I was gyped! I could have had a TD in the family instead of a brother!