I knew that my eyesight and reaction time aren’t what they used to be when I was younger, but I don’t push as hard as I used to when playing in the twisties. I’ve spent the past two years learning my limits playing with my Z3 Roadster in the twisties of the Sierra in NorCal.

But, today I ran up against an anticipated limitation. I’d bought and painted new grill bars for my month old MCS and today was the day for the installation of the upper grill. All of the instructions here and on MINI2 made this seem like a very easy task. Armed with a common screwdriver and 10mm nutdriver the grill unit came out fairly easily, considering that my aching back made me take a few minutes break between each nut removal. Then the problems started! I completely lacked the skills and coordination to loosen the clips hold the chrome surround and grill bars from the backing plate and was ready to take it to my MINI dealer on Monday.

“Way” quickly answered my plea for help in the Interior and Exterior Mods forum, and with his encouragement I was finally able to get the pieces separated, but it was quite a struggle. I haven’t considered myself to be a complete klutz - - thirty years ago I did a ground-up, body off, full overhaul, restoration of a split-window VW by myself in a poorly lighted one car garage. My inability to do this simple grill R&R has me wondering if I’m just too old to be playing with hand tools any longer!

Am I the oldest “old fart” playing with a MINI? I was born in December of 1934. Anybody here born before 1940?

 

You are only as old as you let yourself feel-you just have to slow down and think
young :smile:
My back was aching when I was installing custom seat belts,that took twice as long as I thought it should

 

>>You are only as old as you let yourself feel-you just have to slow down and think
>>young :smile:
>>My back was aching when I was installing custom seat belts,that took twice as long as I thought it should )


Clo/Wanda

 

Nick, you sound like a young man to me. It's all in the head. I know lots of old fart "young" people.

Motor on Dude!

Regards,
Red

 

1952 - I don't think of it being old just mature. Sure don't feel old. Clo I wouldn't have though you were that mature. Why so many mature people with MINIs?

_________________
Frogs have it easy. They can eat what bugs them.

 

My pop's was born in 1942. He and I bought the Mini for autocross purposes. My pop's drives it on a daily basis and races autocross on the weekends. Your never too old to drive a Mini. I say, look up your local SCCA autocross club and drive the Mini how you really want to drive it!!!! He has a catarac but, what the heck, you only live once. Right? It might as well be the way you want to!!!!

 

Shouldn't you be like d....??? Kidding, just kidding......though you'll have to admit you ARE kind of an old git.....me I was born in 51 and anytime you wanna argue politics or try to kick my butt, well here I am....hear.....what's with the grille?? A man has to come the the conclusion (at some point) that certain jobs require three hands and we only got two.....that's when I go HONEEEEY?!?!?!? Can you help me please???? madam treasurer has yet to turn me down....though sometimes she'll give me s...t cuz I didn't tell her it was a gloves and boots job as oppossed to a shorts and t-shirt one......

 

Thanks, I thought I was the oldest since I was born in 1943.

Keep on motoring.


R.E.

 

I sometimes feel old in car forums and my Dad was born in 1944 (1977 for me)

I think it's great that there are people of all ages on here, makes for a friendly community.

 

I know one of our nice IB/W MC with fully painted aero kit,R90 wheels and rally lights (Italian Job premiere special-driven by MINI rep in So. Calif) was sold to a young 85 year old retired physician and his young 60 year old wife. They were very happy. It was used so about $25,000.

Recently I was talking to a new MCS owner in a parking lot, he parked his MINI next to my MCS to look at my aftermarket wheels and white tail lights. He said he was going to add them to his EB/W MCS which was only 3 weeks old. He is a young 65 years old.

So I think you can get hooked on a MINI from age 3 to 99+. Take your pick. I don't think age matters at all.

 

April 16 , 1948 here .My job is as a senior mechanical tech. for a space-based optics firm in Mass.Spent 15 years fixing bicycles starting in my 20's.then 23 years as a tool maker,doing prototypes for poloroid,and various medical instrument manufacturers.I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 k in tools,but I must say I'm somewhat intimidated in working on anything to do with the computer systems on this car.In '66' I did a full body restoration of a Morris Minor Traveller(woody) God I loved that car.After blowing up the third motor I sold it for $50 to a guy in Maine who cut it in Half and made a trailer out of the back end

 

well... You aren't old at all... I have an 82 year old female customer who purchased a MINI Cooper with bonnet stripes, of course.

 

My dad has a MC ( black / auto )

he was born in 1921.

 

>>My dad has a MC ( black / auto )
>>
>>he was born in 1921.

It is my belief that there isn't a specific "demographic" that buys this car. It's a "psychographic" that includes a wide range of age, econimc status, race, and a lust for a simply fun car.

Enjoy it.

 

Geez....my wife just bought me a MINI for my 50th birthday. Your post made me feel 10 years younger today. Thanks

 

A nice lady attended A Mini Vacation In Vegas 2004. She came up from Phoenix with us. She born 1920ish. So no, you're not the oldest with the MINI.

_________________
Happy Motorin'

 

Born in June 1952. I live by-
"You can't stop growing older,but you don't have to grow up!" and "He who dies with the most toys wins!"
Motor on!

 

NickT,
my grandfather was also born in Dec '34, no MINI just a Towncar he lacks the style you have.:smile:
I myself in '83

B

_________________
03 IB/W MCS: Alta Intake

 

My mom's 71 and just took delivery of her Cooper. Now with just 400 miles on it, she's asking about trading it in for the "S"

 

Well - I was born in '76 but I consider myself old enough to argue politics and young enough to drive a MINI! Wanna tangle?

Marty

Opinionated and educated since 1976

 

I really love how this car doesn't really fit any one age demographic. I love that there are people that are in their 80's that are so passionate about it as well as...well....14 year olds.

 

I am no way close to misfittoy's mom in age, closer to Lmini's. But my answer is any kid can play with a mini...

Leave motoring to the professionals!

 

I'm in the boat with MartyR - and L.Mini born in '81 and I definitely feel that everyone and anyone can appreciate the MINI. I think it's about spirit and nothing else.

Let's motor!

 

9/14/50 here which not only makes me young enough to enjoy the new mini , old enough to remmeber my old 1966 S and number one in the first draft lottery for those of " mature " enough to remember such things :smile: Mini's are time machines as far as peoples ages go, Enjoy !

 

South Texas Mini rally last yeat we had a member who was 73.