Month: August 2015

On 26 August 1959, I was getting ready to enter my senior of high school, and across the pond in GB, BMC introduced two new cars: the Morris Mini Minor, and the Austin Seven 850.

On Saturday I did some prep for Mini to travel to Shaker for the 24th Brits at Shaker Square.  (Shaker Square is an 80+ year old urban shopping area on a park like campus in the city of Cleveland.)

Sharon (in the VW Tiguan) and I in Mini left about 0925 EDT, and things went well until we ran into a traffic jam where I-90 merges onto the InterBelt.  Traffic eventually broke loose, and as we approached our destination, the coolant gauge ran off the dial.   Stopped.  Upon opening the bonnet, the source of the problem was apparent: a loose radiator cap. (A couple in a Healey stopped to help.)  I let it cool, and added our spare coolant.  The temp came down, and we went over to the Square and registered. (Whew!)

The competition was tough, including an 1960 Austin, restored to original by Ken Davies. (Our car is period correct, but has some custom upgrades, which improve performance, safety, drive ability, appearance, and usability.)

There are many classic British cars on display.

And saving the best for last:

When I arrived, I had checked the coolant level, and it was at the top.  (I set the heater on, to increase cooling…) We had lunch at Fire – where the owner/chef came over to talk to us.

Car started right up, and as we kept getting stopped for l o n g red lights, I kept a nervous eye on the temp gauge.  We headed down N. Morewood to Fairmont, to find no West bound traffic allowed.  So back to the square.  When I saw the temp drop back down, I knew there was no cooling issue.  We headed down MLK Blvd, but found it closed, so we detoured around unfamiliar territory, but found our way back onto the Shoreway at E.72.

After we came onto the Shoreway, the trip home went well – cooling worked.

We packed and headed South to celebrate our son in laws birthday at Lindsay’s in German Village.  On the way, Stacey –  some of these pictures are his – texted me that Mini won a place. This year we took first at Solon, Ursuline, and Ft. Meigs, and a prize at Shaker, which justifies all of those years of hard work…

We prepped for car kulture in Lakewood – a venue of varied cars

There is a wide variety of cars on the street, and an even wider variety of people watching then.

 

Mini drove home well.

On Wednesday 12 August, Brad came over, and we/he fixed the broken choke cable.

On Thursday, Allen came over, and we

Attached the Speedwell badge to the grille – above

Mounted the new pedal pads on the accelerator and clutch.

And added some of the new dash plaques to the cluster on the petrol tank.

 

We checked a few fluids, and took her for a test drive, which went well, and the new choke also works well.

On August 8th we went to a fun little show: third annual British Car day at the Brunswick Library

A fun little event!

Mini reached 3000 miles on the way home.

Today we had a visitor from England – Mark Best, Courtesy of Stacey Harley – who came to visit us and Mini.

His tall frame (6’5″) fit well!  (6’7″ tallest in Mini).

Back across the pond, he is a member of Somerset Classics

He liked her, especially for a mini of that vintage: even in Great Britain, a 1960 is rare.

 

 

Oil leak is less, and the problem I experienced (loss of power at 100 kmph) coming back from Ft. Meigs appears to have been resolved by a new fuel filter.

Saturday was the 24th British Car Day at Ursuline College, and as the weather co-operated, we decided to enter.  Torqued the wheels, loaded the car, checked the fluids, and after topping up the fuel, off we were.  The trip across town (Interstates) of about 65 km went well at 4000 RPM – 100-105 kph.  The temps stayed stable at about 72 oil and 82 water.  We registered, and set up.

I always open the bonnet, as that is our best feature.

There were many outstanding cars:

Best of show won by long term friend Martin Dodenhof, here in Mini

We drove home, stopped for food, etc.

Home, and a great day!