Introduction!

[mark7]

Hello all, after a month of trawling through all the interesting posts on the 3 forums i've decided to sign up!
I've owned my "new" '62 Austin Cooper 997 for a few weeks now after a fairly long hunt for a decent car.
My previous weekend toy was an indecently quick track spec Caterham 7 which without the time or funds for regular trackdays was getting used less and less. Another factor was the arrival of a new member to the family and maybe my age creeping up on me and some sense of self preservation!
So having owned a few classic cars in the past including mini's and my interest in historic racing (manage to get to Le Mans every year and the Goodwood events inc last years Revival with lots of mini content) i have ended up with the above car. It's great to be back driving something 100% on the road with friendly smiles from other road users and the ability to involve the whole family to go to events (plus easier to warrant any essential period upgrades with the other half ).
Anyway thanks in advance for answering any of my daft questions and i'm looking forward to participating in what looks like a friendly and helpful forum.

Cheers Mark

[mk1coopers]

Welcome to the forum, if you were at the Revival you will have seen quite a few members cars , lets see some pictures of your new 997

[codriver]

Welcome to the forum Mark.

[IAIN]

Welcome to the forum.
Now you have one mini you must start looking for more.

[InimiaD]

Hello Mark. Welcome on board.

[steve1071]

Welcome, looking forward to seeing the pics.

[mk1]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the group!

Always good to have another Mark about the place

Would love to see a pic or two of your car.

[mark7]

Thanks for the welcome, here's a quick snap of my car more to follow ( hope this works!).



These have now been fitted.



Here's one of my previous for old times sake, great fun but did scare me on the road a few times



Cheers Mark

[mk1coopers]

I've spent a lot of time in convoy with that 997 , nice to know that it will be looked after and used

[wolseley 1000]

wow, good to have you here.........

[atlanticdave]

Welcome and the cooper looks great, oh and nice choice in wheels . I wish I wasnt stuck in Scotland i would love to take the mini to Goodwood.

[mk1]

What a cracking car!

I seem to recognise it

Glad to hear that it's gone to a good home. Its a very different driving experience to your Caterham, but at least as much fun, & it's not often you can say this about a Mini but the Min is safer too

[Pandora]

I wish I wasnt stuck in Scotland i would love to take the mini to Goodwood.

?????

don't be a wuss. We're going down in the camper so will be wishing for the minis fuel ecconomy!

[ace01]

It's good to see that RHU has a good home.

[mark7]

Mark, funny how even though the Caterham and mini are so different in so many ways the actual joy of driving is not diminished.
I was worried when i sold the Caterham nothing would be as much fun without the performance (440 bhp/ton and 0-60 in 3.6 secs!) but even i'm suprised how good the mini is, maybe it's the fact you can use 100% of it's performance on my local lanes without seriously breaking the speed limit
Interestingly i read your post on mini ownership and felt the same with my Sevens finally owning my ultimate setup with no more upgrades to do seemed to be the end of the line for me

Cheers Mark