I was first exposed to Minis as a toddler when my mother got her '61 and somehow I've been unable to shake them. I bought my first two in 1986 and built one good one out of the best parts, I've owned a Mini or a Moke (or both) ever since. I like all Minis, but have a preference for pre 1971 models (when they all became Clubmans in Australia). I tend toward the lower spec models, my budget just can't sustain the 'Cooper tax'. At present I have a 1977 Moke Californian that I've modified with a decent engine and brakes, and I'm slowly restoring a 1961 Traveller, which is one of only a handful in Australia.
I think of myself as a Mini fan, but really Mokes are my first love. I also have a couple of British bikes and a Morris J Type van, which my heart says I'm restoring, but my brain tells me I'm hoarding.
Despite mucking around with Minis for the past 26 years, and spending way too much time reading and talking about them, I learn new stuff from this forum every day.
Tim
