All,

There are few things in life which have seared memories in my mind better than this little road trip. Most notable include the meeting, courtship and marriage of my wife Bridget, the births of both daughters, and the good times/bad times of nearly 25 years in the U.S. Navy.

Having purchased our '98 BRG Sports Pack Mini in March for my wife's birthday (no really!), we have driven the car a maximum of 20 miles in any one direction. Living in Naples is wonderful, but driving in traffic and the thought of having the car stolen has kept us (uh, me) from taking any trips where we'd lose sight of her.

Also, the car developed an oil leak (now fixed) and I didn't want to take a chance at damaging the motor.

Recently, a co-worker and Mini enthusiast stumbled across an Italian Mini enthusiast group. He told me about this trip and, after a brief discussion w/ Bridget, we made plans to go.

Attached are photos depicted the highlights of the trip. Driving 240 miles in a classic Mini can be taxing. Lack of AC, a stereo that you can only hear while stopped, seat position, and stop and go traffic between Rome and Naples has us re-thinking if we'd ever attempt this trip again in the Summer months.

The fond memories of barreling through (slightly over the speed limit is rather thrilling in this car!) the Tuscan hills, trying hard to communicate in Italian (our translation skills got better w/ red wine, but what doesn't!?), and receiving honks/waves of approval from other drivers and pedestrians make any bad memories fade into the background....

Ciao,

Jeff

 

You have a beautiful Mini.

 

Wow, great gig. What camera were you using?

 

Thank you. Hopefully, we'll be ordering an '09 JCW soon....

 

Nikon D50. Most shots taken w/ a Sigma 10-20mm lens

 

Is it Mini e Moto Maniaci? I also attended their spring "raduno" a couple years back on a trip to Florence. What a great bunch of friendly Mini enthusiasts. We were warmly received and spent the first 3 days of our vacation attending their car show, autocross and dinner events. Autocross was in Scandicci (sp?) The mayor's Mom showed up with a pristine Mini she'd owned since about 68. What a time warp.

I have a son living in Casarano, Puglia who is a Mini enthusiast. There they say "Naples is wonderful, except for the Napolitano"....

There's Mini owners around Naples. Check out http://coopermania.forumfree.net/

Ciaio! Buona fortuna!

 

Very Very Cool! Having done my first real road trip this year with my classic (to MOTD ~200miles each way) I can identify with the thrill and angst in attempting long stretchs of spirited driving in a classic. Looks like it was a great trip.

 

Midimad,

Nope, I believe that it is a different group of enthusiasts and I also think, but am not certain that the gent coordinating the event lives near Roma. I'll check out the link which you provided and see what I can find.

Grazie,

Jeff

 

There is a separate club in Rome (maybe two). Mini e Moto Maniaci are from the Florence area. I could dig up some pics of the president etc. Great folks!

I am jealous of the driving experience. The roads in Tuscany were fabulous! We stayed south of Florence about 10 kilometers or so in a B&B. Winding roads through wine country. Bellissima!

Next time, be sure to stop in Montalcino on the way through. Order steak at a local restaurant and a nice bottle of Brunello di Montalcino, but you can't go wrong with a Rosso there either. We order a 30 oz steak (for 3 of us). OMG, WONDERFUL!