"The Mini is the worst. People will actually point and laugh openly"
Shows how much they know.
It was Mini night on UK Channel 4 last night - the making of The Italian Job
(apparently BMC grudgingly sold them three at trade price, they had to buy
the rest on the open market), a profile of Alec Issigonis, and a third
programme covering famous owners, its good (and bad) points etc. One clip
from an early PR film showed the floor-mounted push starter. My first 'car'
was a Mini van and I well remember the great technological leap forward when
I fitted a second-hand ignition switch and solenoid, rendering the
push-switch redundant. In the best practices of "If you haven't found a use
for something yet you haven't kept it long enough" I still have that
push-switch some 30 years on. I think it is time I mounted it on a board
and hung it on the wall.
The last programme showed Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1 (both of
them) taking a sledge-hammer to one. It is now my declared life's ambition
to buy an F1, take a sledge-hammer to it and send Gordon Murray the video.
PaulH.
-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Pixley <fpixley@kingston.net>
To: mgs-digest list <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: 24 December 1998 16:10
Subject: Definition of a Boat?
>>Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 18:59:36 -0800
>>From: "Lawrie Alexander" <Lawrie@britcars.com>
>>Subject: Re: Definition of a Boat?
>
>>Howard........
>
>>I've been side-lining on this one but now I have to jump in and disagree
>>with you! I had a 4-door Marina back in the late Seventies. I modified the
>>engine to full MGB specs., modified the suspension with a tube-shock
>>conversion from P.B. Tweeks in England, fitted 1" wider alloy wheels with
>>decent radial tires, and had a car that was an absolute blast to drive! In
>>the course of my business I got to drive a lot of fun cars (and still do)
>>and that Marina was easily the match of any others in its size/capacity
>>range
>
>Well stated Lawrie! The thing to remember is the Marina is a four
passenger
>sedan that just happens to be MG powered. It's comfortable seating (mine
>has black and white cloth, not vinyl), good heater and reasonable
>performance make it a pleasure to drive. Younger enthusiasts will disagree
>with me but I really appreciate the ease of entry and exit from the Marina.
>My back likes the Marina. The handling should not be compared to any
sports
>car but if the Marina is compared to an American or Japanese model of
>similar size it measures up quite well. I keep my car out of the salt but
>because they were such good year round performers most examples have long
>ago rusted away.
>
>Styling is a personal taste and few really like the looks of the Marina.
>When we are participating in club events the MG or Mini is fine. But if I
>want to use one of the LBC's for some general running around I can use the
>Marina and avoid the stares and attention the other cars generate. The
>Marina will still get noticed by some people but not to the same extent.
>The Mini is the worst. People will actually point and laugh openly.
>
>
>
>Fred Pixley
>Napanee, Ontario, Canada
>
>
>
>
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