The Panhandle Mini group planned a drive last Sunday that started in Pensacola and made its way through some of Baldwin County's back roads. They stopped at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Spanish Fort for a late breakfast - that's where I met them in the classic Mini.
There were about 20 cars present and the hungry MINI drivers took up a LOT of tables in the eatery. Over breakfast, it was determined that Google Maps had provided some bad information. One turn had the caravan going down a dirt road instead of the new highway 181 extension. They asked me to lead them to the junction of Bromley Road where they could pick up the route they were looking for.
The little Mini lead the pack with speed I've never experienced in that car before. The cool morning air agreed with the 998CC engine and I was cruising at a steady 70 MPH while enjoying the gentle curves on highway 181. At the junction, I pointed the way that the group should take and I peeled off toward highway 225 and home.
When I arrived back at the McDonald homestead, I got my gear out of the back seat of the car. I noticed a coin in the floorboard and on close examination, it turned out to be a New Zealand 5 cent piece. Apparently it was lodged in the drivers seat and the enthusiastic driving shook it loose.
An MGB advert from the UK - about 1975.
My long suffering wife and I were out enjoying the a late lunch in Fairhope today when she suggested we stroll through one of the many antique shops in town. Being a good husband (and desperately needing a few more husband points), I agreed.
Part way through the shop I noticed a stack of books and paused to scan the spines. Bingo - a book about Mini on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. Written by the legendary motoring journalist L J K Setright, it was published by Rover Group before their BMW masters flogged the company off to a (mis) management group.
See, it pays to be a good spouse!
I've had an interest in cars almost all my life with the afterburners kicking in during my teen years. Then as now, my interest was in nimble, good handling cars - mostly of British manufacture.
And I know exactly when I became a car guy - my dad took me to see the 1964 Mustang in April of 1964. He cajoled the salesman at the local Ford dealer in St. Charles, Missouri to let us see the car the evening before it was to be officially revealed to the public. We went back to the service department in the old brick building that housed the dealership and there, under a white tarp, sat the coolest silhouette that I had ever seen.
The salesman made a dramatic flourish and whipped the tarp off a white Mustang coupe. I was in awe. I was a car guy. Do you have a similar story? Be sure to share it in the comments section.
The club has recently re-ordered a supply of grill badges - they should be here in time for the January meeting. They will be $20.00 each and they come with some rudimentary fasteners to attach it to your British pride and joy.
The Bentley Continental R is, in my humble opinion, one of the most gorgeous cars ever produced. To my eye, there's not a single bad line.
Bodied by the coachbuilding firm H J Mulliner, the Continental R was designed to be a 'lightweight' Bentley with aluminum body panels, window frames and bumpers. Only 208 of these beauties were built from 1952 to 1955.
It seems that way. Of the four M & M events we've had this year, three of them were held under the threat of - or actual - rain.
This month's event was at Serda's on Royal Street in downtown Mobile. The place was really nice with great coffee and baked goodies. The atmosphere was pleasant in the old, re-purposed building. Of course, the company was first class with about a dozen SABCC'ers making it to the coffee house.
The threat of rain (100% chance) kept most of the group in snug modern cars. The handful of classic British motors were parked on Royal Street and drew a steady stream of admirers.
We'll do a few more Mugs & Motors events next year - we might even have some official Mugs & Motors coffee mugs to hand out as event door prizes. Stay tuned!
The Panhandle Mini group planned a drive last Sunday that started in Pensacola and made its way through some of Baldwin County's back roads. They stopped at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Spanish Fort for a late breakfast - that's where I met them in the classic Mini.
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