My Minis

I passed my driving test when I was 17 and within three months I had bought my very first mini - MARY.

Mary was a brown coloured 1986 Mini Mayfair. I bought her form a local garage as a low mileage, one owner good little runner. What I didn't know was that the one owner was an old geezer that rarely drove and whe he did he didn't move out of second gear or get over 30mph.

As a result I had to replace all the rubbers as they had perished, change the clutch and

replace the gearbox. I was so new at this car owning lark that I paid good money to have all these things done - a good and quick way to ensure that you learn how to service your own mini.

Mary and I travelled miles and miles and miles. In one year we almost doubIed the mileage that she had accumulated in the previous 10 years!!

Eventually it was time for me and Mary to part company. I had the opportunity to buy a red mini flame that belonged to a friend of the family. Being a poor student I couldn't afford two cars so I had to choose........No contest.

I placed an advert in the local rag offering My Mary for sale ... to a good home. The new owner would have to be vetted before I would let her go.

It was young lad and his Dad that answered the advert. The boy had just passed his test and he promised that he would love and care for her so I let him adopt Mary.

Now that I had the cash I could take

possession of the new love in my life.

My next mini was a red Mini Flame. A limited edition model born in 1990. This time I knew her history. She had belonged to a friend of the family who, tragically had died of cancer. Helen, was my mate's grandmother and she was really great (for her age). She loved her mini, travelled all over with her and made sure that she was properly looked after and serviced regularly. It was only natural that the Flame would be called after her previous owner...........Helen.

Helen and I got together just about my 18th birthday. As a birthday present that year I asked my folks for a personal number.

It wasn't long before Helen had a little bit of a make over. Some cooper type stripes on her bonnet were and essentail. Before long she sported Recaro seats, a walnut dash, chromed wipers, door handles, and exterior mirrors. The flame was a 900cc sheep in wolfs clothing looking like a far more powerful Cooper.

All the modifications and all the other wee niggly bits that needed fixing meant that I was steadily becoming more profficient under the bonnet.

While I loved Helen dearly, it was a Cooper I really wanted.

In December 1998 I was passing a local garage chow room when I saw him. I just had to have that car!!!!!! A Tahiti Blue Mini Cooper 1.3i. He just had to be mine.....and he was.

Meet Oscar, Oscar rolled off the production line in 1998

and was looked after by a not too particular previous owner.

To describe Oscar as being an ordinary Mini Cooper would be like calling a Malt Whisky....Scotch. He had extra spots, a bored exhaust, loads of chromy bits, a set of really mean alloys and a sound system to die for!!! My folks say that they can here me about two miles away and they are probably right. In May 2002 Oscar made way for my new addition to my Mini Family.

Meet Hamish. I was trawling the Internet looking for a new style Mini

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Last updated 11th January 2004

and had just been let down by a prat in Manchester when I found Hamish's previous owner looking to sell him.

The minute I looked at the Emailed photos it was love at first sight. A Black Cooper with white roof, white alloys and tyhe Chilli pack. How could I not want him. Problem was he was in Milton Keynes and I was in Aberdeen. There are no such things as problems, just challenges. We flew to Luton Hamish's dad met us, we swapped cash for car and drove all the way back to Aberdeen.

Hamish now has a Scottish accent and a Diamond Bright coat!!!

Meet Hamish. I was trawling the Internet looking

for a new style Mini and had just been let down by a prat in Manchester when I found Hamish's previous owner looking to sell him.

The only thing I wasn't sure about was the red interior but hey once I saw it - no probs. It worked for me!

In January 2003, someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse and Hamish went on to new home. I immediately ordered my new Cooper - son of Hamish. Same colour but with a pile of extras.

For a start, son of Hamish has Sat Nav. I would never have believed how handy that could be. If anyone is thinking about putting it in and cant make up their mind....DO IT. In addition I had the chilli pack fitted and, of course, I had to put in a super dooper sound system.

A new set of wheels just set it off, along with additional chrome trims. A recent acquisition has been the roof decal of the mini logo - an eye turner wherever I go.