hey adsmini was good to see you in tamworth last tuesday even for a second or too.
I did 1100 klms in 2 days & you were the only one I came across.
cheers motogalgirl

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7/1970 mini k every day Lil k for sale
1964 deluxe project

1970 cb175 resto ..was a victim of canberras fire storm jan 03.. nearly pristine again..

G'Day Shirl,

So tell us how the trip went....there are a lot of Mini people fearful of driving long distances because of reliability issues....(settle Doc )

Cheers

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"Show me the Mini!"

Mini's can be just as reliable as any other car as long as it's been serviced and looked after. I drove from Adelaide to Central Queensland with the only problem being a dodgy fuel pump which was easily and relatively cheaply fixed

Settle also Wolfman.......not everyone knows everything about car prep

There is always the unexpected as well....like my thermostat failure at Cardwell just out of Cairns....who'd a thunk!! cooked the head

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"Show me the Mini!"

Yep, there's always the unexpected but that's the same with any car, I passed alot of broken down late model cars on my trip At least in a mini if you do break down you can usually get going again with a bit of basic knowlege or a call to the RACQ or equ. Get a glitch in a modern cars computer or electrical system and forget it and just call the tow truck

Too true...my point, however, was that a lot of people don't have the knowledge or confidence to risk long distance Mini driving.

As for experts and the NRMA, don't get me started!!

Even they can be totally stumped by some problems....how many people here have driven an NRMA Patrolmans Van for 20-30 Kms whilst he tried to figure out what was wrong with the old carburetted Holden (Shhhhhhh )

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"Show me the Mini!"

I suppose I became immune to the fear from driving my first car a 68 mini matic 998 for interstate trips, it only cost me $500 at the time so you can imagine how reliable that was at first You quickly learn to carry a few tools and spares and most of the time get it going, soon as I started working full time I had all the problems fixed by a mechanic then serviced it often and the only breakdown was a flat battery after that.
You're right that alot of drivers don't have any basic mechanical know how, that's something a basic mechanics course can easily fix, you don't need to know how to stip and rebuild an engine at the side of the road Just stuff like checking for spark and fuel , fuel filters are easily clogged, spark plugs fouled, water in dizzy, fuel pump not working, broken fanbelt or burst hose etc. Any of these can cause a breakdown but with a couple of cheap parts and a few tools in the boot can easily be fixed.

The trip was great, I reaIly enjoyed it I did have a few problems but you have to expect that, I had a boot full or spares & bits to make stuff up if needed.
The raidater cap was not the right one but i phoned through to dubbo & the ordered one in & it was there 1st thing the next morning, also one of the shocks give way ( the split pin broke & the bushes were gone) I fixed that at the motel in dubbo ( the motel stay cost me more than fuel ) the weather was shocking as i got closer to stanthorpe gale winds pelting rain all good mini conditions the alternater packed it in about 45 min from getting there 10pm, wacked another battery in & drove like the blazers lol
even got aquaplaining down to a fine art

got lots of waves & toots from others on the road (all Good)
the truckies were great they didnt sit up me backside like the cars did ( i just let em through when ever I could )
was a big trip on my own but id do it again tomorrow
long live Lil K

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7/1970 mini k every day Lil k for sale
1964 deluxe project

1970 cb175 resto ..was a victim of canberras fire storm jan 03.. nearly pristine again..

Yeeepppp....just your typical run in a Mini

Sounds like you were on top of things all the way Shirl.....good to hear Cheers

PS and no...aquaplanning is NOT fun in a Mini....damn things can swap ends in their own length!! (I oughta know )

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"Show me the Mini!"