The Mini Mag

Volume 1 Number 5 July 1999.

MINI WIDOW REPORT
Pray for me my husband has a Mini!!!

By Gayle Byth.


I can remember the first day when Gary phoned me and said that he found this little car he wanted to buy. We needed a car that was economical to run to work and to replace our Suzuki we had just pensioned off!

My first ride in the Mini was not a pleasant memory. For starters it smelt horribly musty, the seats were very uncomfortable and the hood lining didn’t impress me at all; but hey, it was his car.

After owning it for some time, Gary being a panel beater come spray painter, he felt it was time to give the Mini K a face lift. We both had the gruelling task of deciding on a new colour for her and of course she also needed a bit of body attention. Colour after colour was bought home until we decided on “Dark Plum”.

Then came the dismantling. Everything was placed neatly in our shed and we were all given strict instructions not to go near or touch anything!!! – try telling that to three kids. Just about every night after work he would go out to tinker and every weekend spent panel beating and painting, to get this car looking good. I’m not even going to mention all that bog dust and overspray I had to put up with. I even think the dog ended up with a touch of red in her coat.

Then of course came the engine and the tinkering again. One thing I could never understand was how he ended up with all these extra nuts and bolts!?! At this point I learnt to become very patient and I must admit I felt a bit neglected. Was I too becoming a Mini-Widow?



They say good things come to those who wait. She was finished – well for now anyway. We have joined the Mini Club, have truly met some wonderful people and have had lots of good times. Yes, Our Mini has become a big part of our family and NO we would never part with her for anything in this world…………………….

………. well maybe a Cooper S.

Gayle.