Just arrived home. Phew what a long drive.
DAY 1:
Flew into Melbourne from sunny Brisbane on thursday night meeting up with my father who had driven my car and trailer down from Brisbane as I had to work. Temp.... Bloody cold. Collected a second car (rental) then straight to the hotel for a nights sleep.
DAY 2:
Up at 5AM. Been informed by the old man that "we have a schedule" As soon as you hear that you know this isnt going to be fun. Walked outside into the fog and the Bloody Bloody cold morning. Picked up the trailer to re-hitch it to my car. Thought there may be a chance my hands would stick to the steel and never let go. Bloody cold.Why on earth do people live here.
Off we head in the direction of Sale. 2 1/2 hours of driving through some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Fog in the valleys, crystal clear sky on sunrise, winter drop of leaves. Ahh so that is why you guys put up with it.
Arrived in Sale to meet John, the custodian of one long lost 1969 Morris Cooper S, originally indigo blue. John is a mini nut from way back, and a gentleman to boot. We walked down the side of the house through a pair of large metal gates to be greated by the unmistakeable shape of a mini, clad in a couple of tarps, both of which had been there for some time. Expecting the worst, as I had only seen a few scratchy photos of the car, and fearing a large drive back with an empty trailer, I waited patiently as John pulled back the covers, stopping half way to continue trying to convince me that the weather was actually mild today, compared to a week ago. Come on...come on.... Finally the covers are off and I hurredly glance over the all important features, denoting that yes its an S, and yes its actually in pretty good nick despite being deprived of all its paint some years before.
Now for the other stuff says John as we walk toward a large shed in the back of the yard. On the left is a large sliding door that is slightly ajar, and on the right a single roller door, that John throws open with some degree of urgency. I have lost all interest in where he is going or what he is doing as I have just spied the unmistakeable glimpse of a cooper S rear over-rider on the back of another car. "whats in here?" I ask curiously. To which John replies with a push of the door. In front of me sit 4 more minis, all in pristing condition, including a one owner 850 in mint condition. John continues to cover the history of each of the cars, each story as intricate and well rehersed as the next.
Anyway back to the other shed, through the roller door and in each of the 4 cupboards sits the contents of the S I had just handed over 5k for. Yes you heard right 5k for a complete Cooper S. That was the asking price and I couldnt bring myself to insult him with an offer. I just paid the cash, and shook hands. The next 2 hours were spent slapping the car somewhat together to make it easier for transport and loading onto the trailer. The car was desparately missing a couple of hard to find items. A genuine interior and a genuine hoodlining. The seats didnt worry me as 4 weeks earlier I managed to win a complete set of mk2 seats on ebay in pristine condition that were located at Nowra, about 2 hours south of Sydney, but a genuine hoodlining is a little harder to come by.
After a much earned cuppa and a feast on some home made biscuits, over a chat on the history of the car I had just bought, we headed off on a 7 hour journey to reach Batemans Bay in time to check in.
We arrive a 7pm, shower and head straight to the bar and restaurant for a couple of beers and a steak. Perfect to reflect on the days purchase and a chance to plan our trip north and the stop at Nowra to collect the seats.
DAY 3:
A late start today at 630am as we cant check out until 7am. This gave me a chance to refuel and snap a couple of photos of the car on the trailer sitting in the fog, oh and the bloody cold. We arrive at Nowra at 830am to meet up with Tony, the current owner of the seats. The house wasnt hard to spot, as there were mokes in the front yard and a yellow mini in somewhat dismantled condition. While we waited for Tony to come out to meet us, I had a glance over the camino gold mini, to find it was a mini K, of 1970 vintage. My father pokes his head inside, looks at me over the roof and says, "have a look at the roof lining" Bingo, a perfect cooper S roof lining. Tony comes out hands me the seats and they were as described...perfect. A quick enquiry after the hoodlining, and Tony says its mine if I want it for free (thanks Tony). I had a look around at the rest of the car, realised there are plenty of other bits I can use, a small sum of money changed hands and I was the proud owner of an oval dash, 2 grills one of which is absolutely perfect, 4 genuine cooper s flares that are NOS, a bonnet, rear windows, and that spot on roof lining. Tony was only too happy to help us and a great bloke as well. WHile he isnt into minis anymore he is mad keen on the mokes. We head off through Uladulla, then toward kangaroo valley which all I can think of is some of the best winding, twisting mini roads I have ever seen. I was day dreaming of how much fun fanging through these hills would be. We punched on through to Coffs Harbour, and pulled up stumps for the night.
DAY 4:
Up again early, for the final stretch home. No dramas here just a need to clock up some miles and wind down before work tomorrow. Arrived at lunchtime that gave the old man and I a chance to reflect over the new treasures we’ve added to the collection. In all a great trip.......hopefully the next one I find is a little closer to home.
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In the garage:
Now with new owners: