Some old Moke pictures

Just scanned in a bunch, here ya go – just for the fun of it!

Yes, I know there are some duplicates – enjoy!

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And so, the restoration begins

The first step is laying out everything, checking if there is in fact everything, cleaning, then rebuilding as needed and finally reassembly. Easy, right. Be done in a week. Sure.

So, I did find the head, which was thought to be missing, and the speedometer with wiring harness and body shell ID plates. No key. Oh, well. On to other things.

In the garage, unloaded

Only took a half hour, with 3 other friends of mine, and we had everything in the garage, with the bodyshell on a heavy rolling cart, and the front subframe with engine and suspension on the floor. Now to unbox all the small stuff, sort through it, and see what is useable, in need of rebuilding or in need of replacement. Now the real fun begins!

The Moke is a 1966 English built by Austin

Here are some cell phone pictures……….unloading from the moving van tomorrow.

It’s Mini Moke time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went to Mass. to check out

A multi-year search has resulted after long last, in a Mini Moke about to come home (next week) to stay in my garage for a while.

It is not one of these:

in North Carolina - bc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and not this one either:

in Florida, one similar in NY as well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicely modified, in Maryland

 

So as not to ruin the deal, I will post pictures once the new addition is in house.

Hrach Chekijian – Rest in Peace

Hrach and Peter

Originally uploaded by pbraun

The world is saddened to hear of the loss of Hrach Chekijian recently.
So many memories and stories, it’s too soon now.
Love you always, Hrach!

Finally done!

Chilling out in Mooresville

Sorry about not continuing posts each day during our MTTS trip, but things just started to happen – like lots of driving cool roads followed by fun evening activities. Then, pay-for Internet access I did not buy, and so on……….Anyway, as in the previous entry, most of my pictures are on flickr now, but not all, so keep watching.

GP 1636 developed a crack in the right rear wheel. How, I’ll never know. It was loosing air from the tire at the rate of about 5 pounds an hour, at the greatest. The first attempt to solve the problem was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when we found a Goodyear service center. There, they removed the tire, carefully, and pulled out a big staple and patched the inside of the tire, remounted, and we were off within an hour. Thought it was repaired. Wasn’t. The air pressure monitor light came on again in about 2.25 hours this time. We filled up with air, and continued to Little Rock, Arkansas. 7:30 the next morning I was at the LR Goodyear dealer for another repair attempt. This inspection was more complete, as the technician sprayed down the entire tire surface, stem, etc…..with soapy water, discovered something, then dunked the whole wheel and tire in a big bin of water. This has been the traditional method of finding a leak location, and sure enough, it worked. There became evident a clear crack in the wheel. It was located on the inside of the wheel, on the surface where the bead of the tire mounts, going at a 90 degree angle from the edge, straight towards the center of the wheel.

Wasn’t getting repaired. But, still holding air…….needed refilling about every hour…….as we headed off towards the east, and Nashville, TN.  Talked with Tire Rack and new tire (had a bubble) not a problem. Talked with several MINI dealers and found out the rims were available in the US, and we could get them to a dealer in a day or two. Because Amber a nameless MINI dealer didn’t even know what a GP wheel looked like and no one in her dealership could find a part number (I actually had to give it to her) we decided to get the replacements installed at Hendrick MINI in Charlotte, NC, near home. Stephen Lane was a great help.

Now, chilling out at sister’s in Mooresville before heading home to Southport!

Indy to St Louis today

A long day, early rising but leaving late – around 9 am – and motoring mostly through corn fields and other produce to arrive at St Louis and party early afternoon, then out to enjoy dinner with a dozen people at Charlie Gitto’s Italian restaurant.

All of my pictures, unedited, straight out of the camera, can be seen on http://www.flickr.com/photos/pbraun/sets/72157623584651209/              enjoy.

Tomorrow, on to Kansas City and more Barbecue. BBQ seems to be the predominant food item on this trip. Good for me, not so good for Merry.

Atlanta to Knoxville via the Dragon!

We met early at the designated rendez-vous point and were greeted by cheerleaders chanting MINI GO MINI! Headed out with Todd and some other 90+ cars towards I-85 N and broke away from the pack half way there, with 20 MINIs from Florida and elsewhere, to head through the famous  ”Dragon” drive http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ in Deal’s Gap Tennessee for a snack and a cool drive of many many turns snaking through the beautiful mountains near the Smokey Mountain National Park. Then up to Knoxville, to have a BBQ at MINI of Knoxville. Off to shower, then another party and out to eat. Whew! what a day!

Start of "The Dragon" road

Nice drive to Atlanta

We got a late start, but a nice drive at first through some small towns in North and South Carolina, 2-3 lane roads, but not much traffic and moving right along, until we hit Rte 76 and then I-20 which ran from Augusta GA right to Atlanta, and the hotel. We quickly organized and found the way over to Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves game, which had a  bit of a rain delay, but we enjoyed free all you can eat buffet and bear, courtesy of Global MINI of Atlanta! Thanks, guys – Neil, good to meet up again after Hamburg 06!

Thanks Global Imports