My name is Eduardo Perdigao, I'm 38 years old, have three children, and I'm from Lisbon, but right now I'm living in the sunny Algarve (south of Portugal).
Been following this Forum for long, as well as the wonderful Mk1-Performance-Conversions website! The best for me! Great work Mark Forster!
Currently I do not have any Mini, for financial reasons (I owned a business, a laundry, which as a friend of mine says 'wash me' all the money) my life gave a 180º turn.
Rings may go, but kept my fingers!
Like you guys, I have a great passion for the Mini, particularly for older versions, MkI and MkII, and more specifically for versions Cooper and Cooper S.
Probably for the same reason of most of you, this passion of mine started because my 1st car was a Mini. It was a 1000 Mini de Luxe Special from 1970, with beige and brown interior, which my father had stopped for some time. I recall with nostalgia the day when my father gave it to me. Although it was stopped for some time, just needed to take a battery, put gasoline and give the key. Beautiful! I came to sing and shout for joy on my way home. It was in 1993. Not had it more than one year because as a student at the time, I could not afford the occasional trips to the garage, and the end was when the clutch gone.
It already had his life, the rust, the engine had seen better days, and many other symptoms of his age.
It was left at the door of the garage mechanic where at the time it was serviced, and do not know what end they gave him. I am now more than regretted! Would be great to have it again! Sadly, not even a photograph can not find it.
Guess which was the 2nd car?
Yeah, it was also a Mini, this time a 1000 Mini HL, 1982, white with blue trim. It was also my father that gave it to me, although this time we went to buy it at a car dealer. Was purchased on March 14, 1994 for about 750 Euros. It was a great evolution at the time!
It was all original except the Raid steering wheel, but soon after I bought some Minilite replicas which I painted them gold and a small round foglights at the front.
Over a year, more precisely from February 1995 to February 1996 has undergone many changes.
The engine was repaired, it took a "Tuning Kit A 'from Mini Sport, an oil cooler, a road/rally camshaft also from Mini Sport, and many other goodies from Mini Sport, Mini Spares, DemonTweeks, Quality Components, Moss, among others.
The roof, bonnet and boot lid were painted black. A roll cage was fitted, a Corbeau bucket seat, etc. .....
After this, I was 3 years to make a Mk1 Austin Cooper of 66 replica of a car "Works" car. In addition to the rare pieces that have a Works, had a 1380cc engine made in Uk by Nick Stagg, a Jack Knight SCCR, etc. ... etc. ...
For the reasons already described above, unfortunately had to sell, without even being finished (it almost was!).
Well...!
Over the years I have had many Minis, from Cooper S Mk1 to Cooper S Mk3, some Ima's (Mini Vans assembled in Portugal with one rear door), Mini 1000 saloons, and the last I had about 4/5 years was a Mini Clubman trackday car with a magnificent engine 1445cc Swiftune / Bryan Slark Stage 5 Head /1.5:1 Rollers Rockers/ Kent296 SP Camshaft / 45 Split Webers / SCCR / '4-pin Diff / ...
Throughout these years, I've had many parts passed through the hands, from engine parts ... rare ... etc etc..
I have all editions of MiniWorld and MiniMagazine from issue 1, and many thematic and technical books on the Mini in general. Just reading is not enough, the practice is important.
With this great enthusiasm for Minis have made great friends over the years, inclusive across borders, and for sure will keep doing more.
I went a couple of times to the Mini Cooper Register Day at Beaulieu, and also Stanford Hall, and been at many national meetings here at Portugal, being a member of many other forums and Mini Clubs.
One of the many memorable experiences I had was to have given two laps Nurburgring alongside Achim http://www.ringmini.de.
Can I say that I was lucky to be part in this world of Minis, that many hours of happiness brought me.
I hope to return with a new project soon! Better days are to come!
I miss having a Mini ...
What a great story that I'm here to write!
I hope here to learn more, and I know I am available to all to help as I can.
This is really a 'sickness', but very healthy.
Best regards,
Eduardo Perdigão / coopermk1works
shame you didnt get to finish the MK I Works replice.
