MMPEAPSHA - The Mini-Sota Minis, Pizza Eating, And Psychiatric Self-Help Association

Monthly Newsletter Of

MINI-SOTA MINIS, PIZZA EATING, AND PSYCHIATRIC SELF -HELP ASSN

Volume VI, Number XI July/August 2005

Hi All:

Well, Mini Overheating Season has truly arrived. As we Mini owners drive along perspiring buckets, anxiously watching our temperature guages rapidly rise to Hot, turning our heaters on to Full Blast to keep our l'il radiators from boiling over....you new MINI drivers motor serenely on, temperature guages fixed firmly on Normal, bathed in the cool breeze of Air Conditioning.........never knowing all the fun you're missing!

In This Issue.....a report and pix of our last meeting, MMPEAPSHA At The Scottish Fair; an article on proposed Minis that were never made, Minis That Might Have Been....; info on our next meeting, our Annual Birthday Party at The All-British Car Show & Swap Meet; a schedule of upcoming events; plus the usual this & that and fluff & fill.

Our Last Meeting.....

....was MMPEAPSHA At The SCOTTISH FAIR on a hot, steamy, Saturday, July 9th at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington, MN. Luckily, our 4 Minis and 8 MINIs (and a few assorted other BritCars) were parked in a shady area.....right in front of a large group of high school kids practicing on their bagpipes.....pity our poor ears! Anyway, the Fair was very interesting....lots of vendor booths offering Scottish made items, pretty girls dancing the Highland Fling, big brawny guys in skirts throwing large stones and tossing telephone poles....the food (Bridies & Meat Pies....sorry, no Haggis) was very good, and the music was.....ummmmm.... different. We had a fine time and look forward to next year.

Our Next Meeting.....

......and "6th Birthday Party" will held on Saturday, August 13th, '05 from 9am-2pm at the 6th Annual British Car Show and Swap Meet at Ellingson's Auto Museum, Rogers, MN. Take I-94 from the Twin Cities toward St. Cloud. Get off at Exit 207 (Rogers & Rt. 101). At the end of the exit, turn right, then take your 1st right then your next right onto the north Service Road. Keep going 'till you see the car on top of the pole. Past years they've had over 100 BritCars at what is becoming the Twin Cities largest annual British Car event.

Swap vendors, $5 to $15 (depending on size) per space, no reservation required. Vendor set-up at 8am.

Show cars, $3, spectators free! Show from 9am-2pm. There's an "Under 21" class for newer cars, so you new MINI members be sure to come! We'll cut the Birthday Cake around noon!

As Usual......our next issue will be coming out at the beginning of September (more or less), so, if you have anything you'd like to contribute to the newsletter...articles, news items, technical tips, helpful hints, Mini jokes, pix of your Mini, items for the "For Sale & Wanted" pages....send them to Jim Baumann at: cbaumann@lkdllink.net or call me at 1-320-963-5681. Deadline for the next issue is August 25th (more or less).

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dates in RED are MMPEAPSHA Club Events

Dates in BLUE are other local events (and we're invited)

Dates in GREEN are other events of Mini/MINI interest

August 5th (Fri)....Lakefront Days Classic Car Parade in Prior Lake, MN. sponsored by the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce. For further info: http://www.priorlakechamber.org/

August 13 (Sat).....MMPEAPSHA 6th Birthday Party at the Annual All-British Car Show & Swap Meet at Ellingson's Car Museum in Rogers, MN.

September 10th, (Sat), '05....Wheels & Wings Auto Show & Booksale at Classic Motorbooks in Osceola, WI.

October ????....Our annual Final Fall Foliage Foray & Feeding Frenzy

For more than forty five years, the original Mini has been an icon of automotive engineering and design....hardly changing over the entire of it's 1959 to 2000 span of manufacture. There were, however, various proposals to change or update this cute, venerable, automotive anachronism. Thankfully, for us Mini lovers, BMC/Leyland/Rover chose not to (or was too cheap to) change it very much. However, here are a few.....

Minis That Might Have Been......

These pioneering projects, led by , were a long way removed from anything else being developed within BMC at the time.

By the end of the 1960s, serious thought was finally being given to replacing the Mini with someting more refined and practical. These reflect some of the early thinking that pre-dated project ADO74.

In 1968, devised a Mini relacement that was true his original car's design principles. While 9X was the same length as the Mini, and only barely wider, it provided much-improved passenger accommodation, plus a larger boot-space.

British Leyland first gave serious thought to replacing the Mini in 1972, four years after Issigonis had produced his 9X prototype. Three ideas for a "Mini replacement" concept were forwarded: Ant (mini-sized), Ladybird (supermini-sized) and Dragonfly (three box small car). Ladybird was chosen above the other two, and by the time it was cancelled the following year, several full-size models had been prepared.

This was the second serious attempt by the company to replace the Mini with something a little larger. ADO88 was developed in response to the excessive costs of ADO74 and as a result, the project was kept within strict parameters: costs were defined by , the packaging by .

There Were Even A Few Sports Cars.....

The MG Midget and Austin-Healey Sprite needed a replacement and this stylish Mini-based Michelotti-penned creation was to be that car...

These three related projects produced a number of prototypes for a small, Mini-based sportscar series, to be sold in MG and Austin-Healey forms.

Although he is known to have favored rear-wheel drive for sports cars, nevertheless instigated the development of this Mini-based MG coup�...Alas, none of them were ever to be....but it's fun to dream, isn't it?

Pictures and text stolen from The Unofficial Austin Rover Web Resource at http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/

Welcome To Our New Members......

Dave & Stacy Sterling '05 MINI Cooper "S"

Trempealeau, WI "Molly"

Blake Tennessen Looking for a Mini

Menomonie, WI

The latest thing in Mini headgear

HEAVIEST CAR BALANCED ON HEAD - The Guiness Book of World Records recognized the record set by England's John Evans in London on May 24, 1999 when he balanced a 352-pound Mini Cooper automobile atop his head and 24-inch neck for 33 seconds.

WANTED & FOR SALE

Please Note! The Wanted & For Sale pages have been getting a bit too long as a result of old ads. Our new policy will be to list "For Sale" items three months. Ads will run for three months, and will then have to be renewed or will be deleted....to renew your ad or list new ones, you can contact me at: cbaumann@lkdllink.net or call me at 1-320-963-5681. The Service Offered ads will be continued indefinitely.

For Sale.....Mini Project Car....half completed.

WANTED: Hosts for MMPEAPSHA meetings. If you'd like to volunteer your home or place of business to host a club meeting, contact Karl Jenstad at: jenstad@pro-ns.net or call: (612) 869-7611.

WANTED: Any Mini, decent condition, preferably running, if not all parts to make it do so, low cost (<3000), basically I am getting sick of looking at them and would love to have one of my own. Please call Nick Brogren at (651) 407-9579.

WANTED: Minis wanted, prefer '59 - '67, but will consider all models. I'm looking for pristine, or daily drivers, or even project Minis. We also accept Consignments, and the Mini can even stay with you until we bring you a buyer! Please call for details. We invite you to visit our web site at: www.miniguy.com or visit our Ventura, California showroom. References gladly provided. Michael "MiniGuy" Lewis (805) 641-1970 or miniguy@miniguy.com

WANTED: I need some headlamp bulbs, the early MK1 type bayonett style with the slotted flange at the base and the glass tube that looks like a pear.These are the old Lucas lamps.Any help would be appreciated. Thanks again Mark A.Illinski (715)342-0361 or e-mail me at: cindylou1@charter.net

SERVICE OFFERED - Winter Car Storage....Greg Wold has now opened a car storage business in Maple Grove, MN. The new building has heated car storage complete with security system and sprinkler protection. Store your car with confidence that it will be safe and secure AND will stay warm and dry all winter long. $59/mo for Club members. This site is between I-94 and Hwy. 169 just north of I-494. Sign up now while there is still room! Fourth Stall Car Storage. Greg Wold 763-420-4503 or 612-801-7256

SERVICE OFFERED - Good Food! Member Phil Vanner owns The Square Peg Diner "Where The Mini Elite Meet To Eat!" and the home of the BBC Saturday Breakfasts. The diner is located at 2021 Hennepin Ave., E, in Mini-apolis and is open Monday thru Friday from 6am to 3pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. Check out the website at: www.squarepegdiner.com

SERVICE OFFERED - Mini Parts: New Member John Hodge owns MiniJohns Classic Mini Parts in the UK. He can supply any parts you need for your Mini (even if they're not on his website) at lower British prices. He suggests if the members of our club wanted to place a large order ,they'd save on the postage cost . Check out John's website at: http://www.minijohn.com/

SERVICE OFFERED - Member Michael Lewis is a Mini dealer. Minis of all types, including genuine "Cooper S" models, "Cooper replicas", woodie wagons, panel vans, Riley Elfs, Mini Mokes, and even project or race Minis. Call about our specialty, the Minis we've sent "sight unseen" to their new homes in dozens of states across the nation. Ask about our Satisfaction Guarantee, and we gladly provide references in your area. We also handle the shipping to the port nearest you, and can arrange for Customs clearance and overland transport, if desired. Please visit our web site at: www.miniguy.com Call for more details, or just to say hello. We always enjoy talkin' Minis! Michael "MiniGuy" Lewis (805) 641-1970 or miniguy@miniguy.com

SERVICE OFFERED - Mini Towing & Transport. New Members John & Mary Cooley own Classic Transport Services. They specialize in transporting Classic Cars in the Twin Cities Area. John has a 2003 Ford 6500 Flatbed. If you need your Mini or MINI moved, contact him at: 1-651-777-0193, or by Email at: cooley777@aol.com . Check out his website: www.prostreetnova.com

SERVICE OFFERED - Auto body work and painting. John Durant owns Spraywerks body & paint shop specializing in Minis! From dings & dents to total body restoration. Panels welded, rust repair, everything a Mini needs. Reasonable rates, free estimates, free pickup and delivery of project cars within 50 miles. Contact him at 1-763-360-3527 or email: spraywerks@hotmail.com

SERVICE OFFERED - Minis and Mini parts: Now, you have a choice. Always the right part at the right price! Free 108 page catalog and MMPEAPSHA club special - free UPS on members orders. Call Harvey or Ernie at 707-570-0511, or miniman@sonic.net and visit our website at www.minimotors.com

SERVICE OFFERED - Mini Parts: Members Graham & Susan Reid own the Heritage Garage. Mini parts at very competitive prices. Friendly, knowledgeable staff with many years of mini experience. Contact them at 949-646-6404 to get on their mailing list for specials or visit the web at www.HeritageGarage.com

SERVICE OFFERED - Auto Accessories: Member Jim Huston owns the Auto Toy Store and Motorsport Seats..Discount Quality Motorsport Accessories. He has a full line of after market seats....Recaro, Corbeau, Cobra, Sparco, ProCar, and so on . He also has a full line of street or race harnesses. You need it, he's got it! Call for liberal discounts. Visit his website at: http://autotoystore.com/ and http://motorsportseats.com/

SERVICE OFFERED - Auto Upholstery: Member Al Tsyzelman is the owner of A & T Upholstery at 5615 Hwy 169 in Plymouth, MN. Al is the host for most of our winter meetings, and does a supurb job on both auto and boat upholstery. He can be reached at: 763-541-1968.

SERVICE OFFERED - Mini Dealer: Member Bill Cox is a Bonded and Licensed North Carolina dealer, Licensed Manufacturer, and Bonded U.S. Customs Importer. See his website at: http://www.montecarlomini.net/

SERVICE OFFERED - Website Design: Member Jen Mueke is a freelance website designer, so if you need any website work done, contact her at: rhen@roadkill.de or at: 1-612-414-5205

SERVICE OFFERED - British Car Repair: BMC Restoration and Repair..... servicing British built vehicles from a minor tune up to full restoration. Correctly restored or built to your requirements. Pick up and delivery service of vehicle or parts on request. Talk to me about your specific needs. Brian Mc Cullough Call (651) 462-0145 or mailto:brian@bmcautos.com See my website at: http://www.bmcautos.com

SERVICE OFFERED - British Car Restoration: Honorary Member Dave Wintz owns a full restoration facility specializing in classic British Cars. Contact Dave Wintz at New Life To Classics, 1101 N. Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN. Phone (507) 387-2277.

FOR RENT: Pole Barn ...... 30X64, located approximately 35 miles So of Burnsville. Lockable with one service door and (2) 11 ft high sliding doors. Building has dirt floor and was probably used for machinery $200 / month with lease. Contact Jerry Harvieux at 952-440-3567 or email: jharvieux@aol.com.

FOR SALE: Winter tires for a MINI. Complete set of Bridgestone Blizzaks mounted on steel wheels from The Tire Rack. They have approximately 6600 miles on them. I am moving to Virginia and will no longer be needing them. The tire/wheel set was $536 new. I'll sell it for $250. Contact Gary Maher at gmaher@mn.rr.com or phone 952-943-1755

FOR SALE: 2002 MINI Cooper S, fully loaded, sun roof, yellow, has less than 9,000 miles (that's right, less than 9,000 miles) on it, has never seen snow and has never been driven on gravel. Has a California Cover for it as well. asking $21,500. contact Jerry Doetkott, 715-425-7812, River Falls, WI

FOR SALE: 1969 MGB GT. Great winter project or driving restoration. The brakes have been gone through and it has new front springs. Many, many new parts ready to use including a new hood, passenger floor, badges, door cards, and boxes of other new stuff. Has almost new tires and Minilite-style alloy wheels. I still have wires too. Workshop manual and other books too. Will trade for Mini of similar value or sell outright. Andy Lewis alewis@mailbag.com or 608-233-9470.

FOR SALE: 1972 Mini Van, 1,000cc engine, completely restored. $7,500. For pictures & further info see www.bklillibridge.com or call 1-218-753-5070

FOR SALE: - I have two beautiful minis for sale ,they will never rust , they are factory fiberglass ,they came from CHILE and they ready to go for the mini meet at Rockford IL in June. My phone # is 515-570-3888 or 515-955-2425 call any time. I will send pictures and information to anybody that is interested in them. Francisco Visedo visedo@dodgenet.com

FOR SALE: Fiberglass "Novadash" fits Mini with single or 3 clock center binnacle, N.O.S -- $35; Early style Mini front subframe, seen better days but suitable for as alignment jig when replacing front sheetmetal -- $15; 3 ea. Dunlop SP-Sport Radials, 165/70-10, old, hard, but never used, more suitable for show, not go -- $15 ea.; Left & right Mini front floor repair panels, aftermarket -- $15 ea.; Left & right Mini inner sill repair panels, aftermarket -- $10 ea.; Left & right Mini Mk. 3 & up inner wing hinge panels, M-Machine -- $10 ea.; Heavy duty tow bar for chrome bumper Spriget -- $60. Can Email photos. Contact Karl Jenstad, jenstd@pro-ns.net or 612-869-7611

FOR SALE: Just arrived from england - 10 cheap minis. Most in the $5k range.. all run and drive and have NC titles..all are
RHD. lic. NC dealer and bonded importer... go to www.montecarlomini.net for photos .. ps.. no trades, no finance , and for tyrekicking call on rainy Tuesdays after my NAP.. bc 1-704-487-6406 Earl, North Carolina

Any Comments or Suggestions? Any ideas for improving "The Oily Edition"? Give me a call at: 1-320-963-5681 (if line is busy, try 1-612-599-0735) or e-mail at: cbaumann@lkdllink.net ......

See Ya At The Birthday Party At Ellingson's