Today i went and visited the real 'Pops'. His name is Bill, for future reference.

He was so happy that I had returned with his beloved Mini. We chatted for about an hour. This is what I learnt today:

Pops original rego was AIB-***. This I already knew, but what I didn't know is that Bill and his family named the Mini after these plates. They called him 'Aib', pronounced 'Abe'.

Bill and his wife bought Aib new in Jan 1971. Pretty soon after, Bill got a company car. He worked for BHP. Aib was driven by his wife to the local shops and back on weekends. 500m per trip tops. Most of the time Aib sat around and was never driven.

Eventually Bill's daughter started driving Aib to school (Meriden, Nth Strathfield I think). When she left school Aib was given to Bill's son, who didn't really drive, but prefered public transport. Aib sat in their garage for ages.....so long in fact that Bill had a carport installed, so his new(er) car had something to park under.

Aib's rego ran out in 2000...the plates were turned in to the RTA....and he sat collecting dust 'till I arrived .

Bill is so happy that Aib (now Pops) is in good hands. I was so overwhelmed by the old diggers warm heart, that there is NO WAY I can sell Pops now.......I feel compelled to keep Pops and respect him for the very genuine car that he is!

Bill has invited me back next weekend. I am looking forward to it!

Great story Anton! Just let you know my bro and I got home without any further hassles - gotta love peak hour Sydney though The van is looking great parked behind 'bromley'!

so that's where the name 'Bromley' comes from.

What name are you going to christen the van with?

That's what we like to hear. A happy ending. Great to hear.

yea (Chris?)...doesn't make the bank balance happy though.....

Nice to hear such a good story..... hope it all works out for the best, and pops.... er ...... abe remains with you Anton

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I got nuthin......................

Hey Bromley....that Unimog beside you has twice as many speeds than the Mini!! (and 8 reverses).....

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"Show me the Mini!"

Thats Great news...You took Pops (Abe) back to the Old Digger and You are keeping Him

Riverina Thats where Marcia's Clone has gone To

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Poppy Aib
Viv and Herman are glad they still have someones lap to sit on
and listen to stories
when the world thought cigarette smoking was fashionable, coke was a cold drink and pot was something you cooked in

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Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

excelent news Anton. Nice to see you going back to the original owners house i bet he loved it.

Good to see

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I am SO glad to hear it!!! That's such a nice story! I am gonna call him Abe for now on! How rude that a young wipper snapper comes along after 30 years and renames him Pops

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Awwww..

Male bonding at it's best, over a car of course!

Glad to hear you are keeping Ol' Aib It's nice of you to spend time with Bill not many people these days would care enough! Good on ya!

Marcias clone?? who is marcia and what is she doing with a panel van like mine?!? Riverina = Wagga. Speaking of which, who is coming for the minis on the Murray weekend in Albury?

yes its a nice story, and i believe the car was destined to be yours anton.. only thing is that now your Pops is Abe, then that makes you Homer...DOH ..... LOL

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No longer Ms Westwoods mini outside her original kings road shop

ok....Anton, what has happened to pops???

you have given him back to the old man or sold it back
or hes look after it?????

how does everyone know etf happened? PLEASE
let me know what is going on PLEASE!!!!!!!1