Blogging with Bill

The Mighty Mini…

   A couple of weeks ago, I was at a red light and a Mini Cooper pulled alongside. A red and black with aftermarket wheels equipped with a loud performance exhaust system. It brought back memories of the first Mini I encountered back in 1964 at the Connecticut Drag way. While walking through the pits I saw this red and white box with ‘lawnmower wheels’ on it. So, I had to investigate. The little 4-cylinder motor was put in sideways; everything was tiny. I asked the owner, “Where is the rest of your car”? He laughed and said, “This is it”! I asked, “What is it”? he said it was an Austin Mini Cooper.  I said. “Good luck”! and walked away. Later I saw the race line up with the Mini and a 1953 Chevy 6 cylinder. Well, this is going to be interesting!

Mini Cooper

An American muscle car against an English ‘lawnmower’. As the lights came down on the Christmas tree, the little Mini revved up for all it’s worth. The green light came on and the Mini zoomed out to a 4-car lead. Halfway down the quarter-mile, the Chevy started to catch up but at the end of the quarter-mile the Mini won.

   Well, that day the little mini raced several cars in its class and won a 1st place trophy. While racing sports cars from 69 to 71, there were a lot of Minis dominating their class. The little Mini was something special in its day.

   So here I was sitting at the intersection with the Mini Cooper revving up its motor, waiting for the green light, reminiscing about the old days. As the light turned green the Mini sped off shifting through the gears and little puffs of smoke coming off the tires. I just thought how far the ‘Mighty Mini’ has come.

If you would like to see the early Minis in a great movie watch the Italian Job with Michael Caine, it has lots of Mini car action!

~ Bill Keep them rolling!

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Great idea for future generation classic car lovers

The Profit is in the Details…

   Being in the automotive business on and off over the last 60 years, I came to the realization that if a classic vehicle is kept up and maintained it does not lose its value. It increases in value. But if a classic vehicle is not maintained and properly stored it will lose some if not all its value. Detailing is very important in the maintenance of a classic. It requires not only washing and waxing; vacuuming the interior. The detailing of a classic is where the profit is!

Many times, I came across a vehicle that looks good from 100 feet away but when you approach you to see it has a lot of issues. These will take away from its value: chipped paint, unpolished chrome, dirty engine compartment, untidy wiring, aftermarket components not properly installed, dirty rugs, broken or missing items on the dash, unpainted items. One of the most important items left unattended is the frame or chassis with oil stain, surface rust, and overspray on paint. I see good paint jobs done on cars and overspray on the frame left unattended. All that is needed is a can of spray paint to cover up the overspray. It will go a long way in detailing a frame.

I think if you are going to put your classic up for sale you should spend some time detailing it or bring it to a detailing professional and getting it done. Detroit Auto detailing is a premier detailing operation (see ad).

So, all in all, if you want to get the money your classic deserves; please spend the time and a little money to detail your classic before you sell.

The profit is in the details!

– Bill Keep Them Rolling!

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