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Hello

Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:46 pm
by coopermk1works
Good afternoon everyone,

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. .....

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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!).

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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 / ...

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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

Re: Hello

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 4:51 am
by JC T ONE
Hi & welcome Eduardo :)

Nice story, and nice cars 8-) shame you didnt get to finish the MK I Works replice.

It looked really nice 8-)


Jens Christian

Re: Hello

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:10 pm
by UHR850
Welcome to this forum Eduardo.

Hope you enjoy it the way I do.


Kees
UHR850 :lol:

Re: Hello

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:34 am
by RicardoFragoso
Welcome Eduardo,

This Forum is the best!

You live in a great part of our beautiful Portugal. I don't live there but my wife was born there and I go there many times.

You must get a Mini as soon as possible.

I own a MK1 Cooper with a Bryan Slark head and it is fantastic.


Regards

Re: Hello

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 1:58 pm
by scott6058
At last Eduardo speaks, I personally heard him say he is a better reader than English writer but I know now it's not true. Thank you for the great story my friend. This man has helped educate and point me in the correct direction many times and also a gentleman that's always a pleasure to speak to.

My mini is a long term project for it is a sickness that I probably truly can't afford, but when the keys are in my hand and I can think back of all that was done and the people I have met I'll owe much success to this man. So get yourself back in the drivers seat of a mini of any kind soon. Thanks your friend. Scott

http://minimorriscoopers.blogspot.com/

Re: Hello

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:56 pm
by mk1
Welcome back Eduardo!

M