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 VIII, Number XII July/August 2007

Hi All:

The summer is in full swing now, the height of Mini/MINI season. Lots of fun things to do with our Minis....Sunday drives, short jaunts, long trips......maybe even coming to a club meeting or two? Read all about it...

In This Issue....a report & pix of our last meeting, our Annual Summer Sunday (BYO) Picnic In The Park; another of Nuala & Geff Galbari's delightful Tinsley Green Mystery Series; info on our next meeting, our MMPEAPSHA Birthday Party at the All British Car/Bike Show & Swap Meet at Ellingson's Car Museum in Rogers, MN.; our full Mini/MINI Season schedule and other BritCar Events; plus the usual This & That and Fluff & Fill.

Our Last Meeting.....was our Annual Summer Sunday (BYO) Picnic In The Park on Sunday, July 15th, 2007 at Normandale Lake Park in Bloomington. The weather was perfect, and we had a nice turnout members, family pets, and Minis & MINIs pop in and out. Those left at the end were......

L to R......Harry and Jean Reynolds & "Dotty" (Bloodhound puppy), Carol Baumann & "Penny McP." (Shih Tzu puppy), Dean and Laura Sulander & "Zeke" (Corgi), and Margaret and Karl Jenstad & "Daisy" (Heinz 57 Varieties).

Our Next Meeting.....

and "8th Birthday Party" will held on Saturday, August 11th, '07 from 9am-2pm at the Annual All-British Car/Bike 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, $5, spectators free! Show from 9am-2pm. There's an "Under 21" (Too Young To Smoke) 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 the 25th of August (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 11th (Sat.), '07.....MMPEAPSHA 8th Birthday Party at the All British Car/Bike Show & Swap Meet at Ellingson's Car Museum in Rogers, MN. (See: Our Next Meeting....)

September 8th (Sat.), 07.....MMPEAPSHA at the GIANT Wheels & Wings Show at Classic Motorbooks in Osceola, WI.

October ??????, '07....MMPEAPSHA's Annual Final Fall Foliage Foray & Feeding Frenzy.

TINSLEY GREEN MYSTERY SERIES

The Insleytay Mystery

By Geff and Nuala Galbari

Illustration by Geff Galbari

Stationmaster Ipswich looked at his watch. It was precisely 10:00 a.m. and from his office window, he admired the immaculate station with its potted flowers of many colours decorating the platforms. All the brass doorknobs had been polished, the large oriental carpet in the waiting room was fresh from the cleaners, the furniture buffed and the paintwork bright. All was indeed ready for the special visitors who would arrive on the 10:30 a.m. Gatwick train.

Mrs. Mabe opened the tea shoppe just as Squadron Leader Peppercorn arrived with Uncle Bullsbury for morning tea. With his usual dramatic flair and unaccustomed to parking without his ground crew, Peppercorn smoked to a halt with screeching tires and two wheels on the footpath. Members of the old Squadron were planning a summer reunion at Bamberton Aerodrome and Mabe's was operations H.Q. for the planning committee. The group had also arranged for one of their surviving Spitfires to be flown in by the R.A.F. for the occasion and an old Lancaster bomber that had remained at the Aerodrome (but needed some restoration) required a fund raising event which Lady Westroppe-Smythe happily offered to organize.

The Gatwick train rolled slowly into Tinsley Green and three first-class compartment doors opened. The transportation board members alighted and gathered in a group, looking at a map in a puzzled manner, and said to Stationmaster Ipswich, "I say old chap, is this......?"

"Oh, yes, yes, gentlemen.....we've been expecting you!"

"But the map says......"

"Don't worry, that's probably an old map" said Ipswich, "It's starting to rain.....come inside and have some hot tea & biscuits."

No work is ever undertaken in England without the required cup of tea; thus, the transportation officials squeezed into the Stationmaster's office, ready for their English brew and chocolate digestive biscuits.

After the morning sortie to Mabe's, the reunion committee attempted to follow the rapidly disappearing rondell that was positioned on the duck egg blue Mini Cooper - now Blue Leader to Bamberton Aerodrome........

........however, as usual, no one could keep pace with Peppercorn, who left the other vehicles to contemplate only his tire tracks through the muddy trails leading to the airfield. Arriving well in advance of the group, his unrecognizable Cooper now splattered with mud, Squadron Leader Peppercorn looked on in horror as he marched around the Old Lancaster. There were tools laying everywhere and not an engineer in sight. Spanners, screw drivers, crow's foot wrenches, ratchets, box end wrenches, sockets - spread all over the old hangar. Peppercorn made his way immediately to the office where he found three engineers sitting with their feet up, drinking mugs of tea.

"Now, Now, Chaps!" said Peppercorn indignantly. "This wouldn't have been allowed in my R.A.F. days! No, indeed. You didn't leave your tools laying around unattended."

Peppercorn, having gained the attention of the ground crew, added, "What we need here is a jolly good old cleanup, and this office could also do with putting in order - Good Heavens!"

Responding to the authoritative voice, the engineers promptly set their half-full mugs of tea down and returned to work.

Peppercorn adjusted his handlebar moustache and then set about organizing the office.

The 'erks' made their way back to the Lancaster. "Bloomin' R.A.F. types!" they intoned. "They expect us to keep these old crates flying with nothing but string and glue!"

As Peppercorn organized the unkempt office, his thoughts traveled back to his R.A.F. days and the Battle of Britain. From Peppercorn's stories, one would believe he had single-handedly won the great battle and while he did see some limited action in 'Spits', he spent most of the battle on the sidelines, with his leg in a cast - an injury sustained while bailing out of a bar stool at The Nag's Head pub. The only flying he did these days was from the cockpit of his Mini Cooper.

By Friday morning, the old Bamberton base was looking somewhat more presentable. While most of the original hangars and buildings had been lost to posterity, there was enough of the former base remaining to make it recognizable as R.A.F. Bamberton. Following many hours of hard work by the engineers, the old Lancaster had begun to look like its former self. The R.A.F. rondells had been freshly painted and sharply contrasted against the bomber's black undersides. Peppercorn directed the engineers to tow the bomber to the base entrance where floodlights would illuminate the old girl for the reunion dance. By 5 p.m., many of the former Squadron members and base personnel began arriving, some of them by coach from Tinsley station. Under a large marquee, the ale and drinks flowed freely and the air was constantly churned by flailing arms, with all former pilots gesticulating, dramatizing their roles during the big battle. The din from the marquee was quite loud and as the ale took hold, the conversations grew louder and the tall tales more colourful.

Peppercorn stopped mid-sentence, his head turning to the west, his fighter-pilot's eyes squinting into the setting sun. His handlebar moustache twitched and his ears pricked up like that of a labrador. The noise softened to a murmur and all the pilots exited the marquee, looking to the sky. Everyone was still and the crowd became hushed: the unmistakable sound of a Rolls Royce Merlin at full chat could be heard approaching.

"There he is!" shouted 'Peachy Pembleton', the youngest member of the Squadron.

Low on the horizon, a late model Spitfire came zooming over the airfield in front of the marquee. As he climbed out to the east, he performed a victory roll and made several passes over the airfield before departing. Peppercorn raised his glass,

"To those who have gone before us!"

"Here, here!" said the others.

The group made their way back under the marquee and the band broke into the strains of Moonlight Serenade. Peppercorn grabbed Nellie by the waist and asked her to dance.

Nellie, who worked at the airfield canteen during the war, laughed and said, "You R.A.F. types never change!"

At 2:00 a.m., the party came to a close and as the group left the base, they passed beneath the brightly illuminated Lancaster, each member taking time to 'pat' the large tires for good luck.

By 10:00 a.m., the group had again assembled at Mrs. Mabe's tea shoppe and after a hearty breakfast, they made their way to Tinsley Green station for another special event. The transportation committee had arrived and the inspection was underway. Tinsley Green was the last station to be considered for the 'Best Kept Station' competition and all in attendance, though tired from the bomber's evening, waited in anticipation of their first award.

Quite suddenly, transportation committee member, Mr. Bloggins, interrupted the proceedings. He asked the other members to step aside and all gathered noted puzzled expressions and a rather frantic shuffling of papers by the committee. Mr. Bloggins approached Stationmaster Ipswich and said, "I'm afraid there seems to be some mistake, sir. Tinsley Green station does not appear to be listed as a contender. There must have been an error in the mapping, possibly due to the station's close proximity to Gatwick Airport. We are supposed to be inspecting another station, named...Insleytay. I am sorry for the confusion, but your station will not be in the running this year."

"Pig Latin!" said Stationmaster Ipswich.

"I'll thank you not to resort to unpleasant language, sir." said Mr. Bloggins, peering over his bifocals and looking rather red-faced beneath his hat.

"No! No!" said, Stationmaster Ipswich cheerfully. "The station was posted in pig Latin during the war to confuse the enemy. "Insleytay, is simply Tinsley converted to pig Latin!" When words begin with a consonent, you place the consonent at the end and add 'ay' to the word. It didn't take the enemy decoders long to uncover this one. However, the name still appears on the old maps, it seems!"

"Well, well, I never!" said Mr. Bloggins with a grin. "Imagine that!"

He continued, "In that case, Tinsley Green is the clear winner!

The committee is pleased to offer this award for 'Best Kept Station - 1964'. Congratulations!"

All assembled broke into loud cheer and applause.

Just then, the non-stop Gatwick Express burst through the station like a cyclone, sounding a loud horn and blowing committee members, their hats and paperwork, back against the station building. Situated at a safe distance behind the picket fence, the villagers attempted to control their laughter while the committee stood aghast, completely disheveled with hair shocked in the direction of the high-speed train.

Stationmaster Ipswich noted rather meekly, "Eh - that was the 12.05!" And then added, "How about a nice cup of tea?"

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.

Mini For Sale....has custom paint job.

WANTED: Mini/MINI stories for The Oily Edition! Do you have a Mini/MINI Article, Story or Adventure you'd like to see in print? It doesn't have to be Great Literature.....we can edit it and polish it up for you (and even have our Staff Cartoonist, Geff Galbari, illustrate it for you)....just something you think might interest or amuse Mini/MINI enthusiasts, and our Club Members. About 1 to 1 1/2 pages (single spaced) is just about right. Soooo....get those creative juices flowing and send your Articles/Adventures/Stories to me at cbaumann@lkdllink.net .

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: 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 - Consignment Minis & Promotional Items - Member Michael "MiniGuy" Lewis back and is brokering classic Minis (and other interesting collector cars) via the "Consignment" pages of his new, soon-to-be-relaunched website. He also has a line of Mini Club-related Apparel & Promotional Items. Michael says a large part of what he does now is Club Shirts, hats, jackets, lapel pins, patches, stickers, printing, grille badges and so on, but he can do just about everything. And check out his website at: http://www.miniguy.com/main.php or you can phone him at (805) 405-6263.

SERVICE OFFERED - Dependable Car Maintenance - Tire Rack dealer, Amsoil sales, nut�s �N bolts, and repair items, automotive tools & equipment. I have a shop at my home in Ham Lake, MN where I sell tires from the Tire Rack at discount and mount them. I have a computer balancer, and a rim clamp tire machine. I can mount tires from 10" up to 17" and 9.5" wide. Dwight McCullough, 763-754-7111 or dcm@mnautox.com

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 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 - 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: '67 Mini Woody Wagon. 998cc, disc brakes, RHD, Old English White. Only 27k. Perfect in every way. Owned by 3 time Grammy Award Winner Delbert McClinton ( www.delbert.com). $15,999...TN title in Delberts name. Bill Cox www.montecarlomini.net Earl NC. NC lic dealer.. 1-704-487-6797 billecox@webtv.net

FOR SALE: 4 MINI Rims with tires. Silver, 15 inch, low mileage, not run flat, used briefly on a 2002 MINI. Currently taking up space in Andover, MN. $100 (OBO) for all 4 (delivery is extra). mailto:mini@chessers.org or 763-323-9935

FOR SALE: 2003 MINI Cooper "S". Only 9,000 original miles. Sport Package; British Racing Green w/black top; grey/anthracite interior; leather seats; premium sound; power sunroof; premium wheels. Stored winters....has never seen ice or snow. Looks like, and still smells like new! Car is located in Mpls. $24,000 or Best Offer. Contact Michael Keller at michael.keller@idq.com or phone: 952-830-0317 or 952-830-0480.

FOR SALE: Two NZ Minis. These are nice 99 & 44/100 % rust free examples with solid floors. They are in running and driving condition with straight shells. The 1st car is a 1973 Mini 850 saloon in red with black interior. The 2nd car is a 1977 Mini saloon with a 998cc engine, blue with tan interior. Owner is asking $4500 for each car. Cars are located in Stevens Point, WI. You can email the owner at usakiwis@charter,net for more information.

FOR SALE: 1978 Maroon Austin Mini 1000. I started to strip the engine compartment to do a re-build but I ran out of time and resources to complete it. All the auxiliary parts are in a box and ready for the next gear head to get it running. I have all the records from the previous owner. This little car just needs some TLC, current tabs, and to be trailered to it's new home. $4,000 firm. Call John 612-735-1104 or e-mail cyborgbally@yahoo.com.

FOR SALE: 1980 (1993) and 1975 (1996) Mini SPRITES for sale. One is a 1980 built to 1993 spec. 40 K, 1275 cc engine with carburator. Throaty exhaust. LHD, burl wood dash, new carpeting,excellent interior, new Minilite wheels, new tires. Hiflo centr exhaust, K&N air cleaner with no rust. Refurbished by a mini expert in England before being sent to America last year. It is blue with white racing stripes and a white roof. The other is a 1975 built to 1996 specs. beautiful red, 63K, same wood dash with new carpeting. It has a white roof and white racing stripes. We need to sell because I cannot drive the one I bought because of a foot problem with the clutch foot. Ian has too many cars and needs to get rid of his Mini. Asking $9250 for each. Contact Ian Rivers at 920 261 5218 or Sue Braatz at suebraatz@hotmail.com.

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

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 all at the Birthday Party!