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Lots of good memories of the shop and some of the lads who worked for me, Bob, Woz, Ziggy, Punk Mick to name just 4. And all the others.
I have lots of photos of us and visitors standing on the front steps. One features a young John Parnell. Others are friends who turned up all the way from Japan without ever asking directions. Some visitors from Oregon took pictures of Bob, as they had never seen anyone so filthy. The best pic ended up on the front cover of their club magazine.
Some days I think it would be nice to run a busy Mini workshop again…… but then, semi retirement suits me I think.
Roger, The S engine had an original Arden 8 port with TJ injection. I also had 4 amals if we wanted to run it on carbs. I took it to Mini 35 and was pleased to have Jim Whitehouse come over to the stand to give me some additional info about it.

This was in 2012 when I had just sold it.

And now.

Nice History and memories Nick, but such a shame when you see your old shop like that

True but it has become a local landmark, known by everyone round there. The actual word Mini has been missing since a German car company thought I was a threat to them and forced me to take it down.

I can remember that TJ injected engine on your stand at mini 35.

it was the first time I had seen a arden 8 port engine in the flesh


I think I even have a photo of it somewhere!!!

What year did you open? I drove up Albert Road to work every morning for about a year in the early seventies when Meersbrook Garage was an Audi NSU dealer,TTs Ro80s, Wankel engines, happy days.

I opened in 1985 as Minibitz, but the shop was already there as 101 Motor Parts being run by Brian Wood who sadly died in 2013. He bought the place as a semi-derilict hulk around 1982. Prior to that it had been a grocer/off licence for many years and I have more pics of it from back then. In 1901 it was a post office according to an old map I bought.

Great memories, and nice pictures

Nick, it would be interesting to put together a list of where people came from to visit the shop. I'm sure there are a lot of us from all over the world.

University Motors, Piccadilly, Distributors of MG, retail dealers for Austin, Morris,Wolseley and Riley. Pictured in the 50's



Talking of MG,nice shot of Mill Garage, South Woodford Essex, Dick Jacobs' racer out front..



Bit of background...

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archi ... ick-jacobs


Not sure, but I think this is Kennings Bridlington?

Chuck, My little shop certainly had lots of international visitors. Maybe I should have put a map of the world on the wall with pins to mark visitors' home countries. I remember when you visited. I came back from the MOT station to find you sitting in the kitchen with a cup of Yorkshire tea. At least my staff could be good hosts !

Pete wrote:

Not sure, but I think this is Kennings Bridlington?

the weather certainly looks correct for Brid!!!!

Anyone remember Cheadles Garage In Penkridge, Staffs?

Just talking cars with my Solicitor (it'll be on the bill no doubt) and his father owned the garage in the BMC days. Even remembered the plate of his Cooper, KDH507D.

Think i've almost talked him into buying another Mini.

Pete wrote:University Motors, Piccadilly, Distributors of MG, retail dealers for Austin, Morris,Wolseley and Riley. Pictured in the 50's

Now a coffee bar

An old one from where i lived in Denmark---

later... in the early 80´s i think.... a drinking place, called the Rat hole I remember

today...

https://www.google.dk/maps/@55.494044,9 ... e0!6m1!1e1

PS.. take a close look on the wall, you can still see where the roof....

Bode's Garage, Buxton Road, Leek, Staffordshire - then...



and now...