"BOINK"
"Boink" is actually the license plate of my former 1973
Austin Mini Cooper (that I sold in July of 2005). The Mini was a revolutionary
car in its day (front wheel drive and really tiny); production began in 1959
and ended in 2000. One of the reasons for their rare appearance on our streets
is that they were only legally imported up to about 1967 (and can be imported
up to 1974 now here in Oregon).
There
were many types of Minis made (dozens). Mine is Austin Mini Mark
III Cooper (though for you pure-ists out there <and you know who
you are J >
it was “Cooperized” in 1992 and lacks the full
pedigree – and has the so-called “sports pack” look). This means that it has
lots of extras that Coopers had. It has a 1293cc engine that develops maybe
70hp or so, and has disk brakes. It measures 4' wide by 10' long by 4' tall
making it one of the smallest cars ever on the road (and those new BMW “Mini’s”
are huge in comparison). However, they are remarkably roomy inside (OK, so you
have to be sitting in the front seats to make that claim). They are VERY fast.
Regardless of what type of Mini one is considering, they are absolutely the
best cornering cars ever made... you have to hold onto your teeth if you
turn the steering wheel hard!
One
thing is certain, you'll draw a smile wherever you go
in a Mini. Some giggle; some point; some roll their window down and give you a
thumb's up; and some break out into hysterical laughter when they see it... of
course some might also be reacting to the license plate. And
what about the license plate? If you want to know more about he word "boink" click HERE.
Click on the swirly red buttons below to see a
few pictures of Boink!
Here is a shot of me standing
next to the car as it has just won “Best Import Sedan” at the 2003 Rose
Festival Cruise-in.
A “Hongwell” (1/43rd scale) model of the car next
to the real thing.
Here
is a shot of me (Mark) next to my original 1962 Mini (a stock 850) as it sits
in the driveway of my old house on 132nd.
It was fairly original, complete with 10” wheels. Much more Spartan than my
current one.
A
“Corgi” (1/43rd scale) model of the old car next to the old car.
Now the plates are on my 1959 Austin
Healy Bugeye (Frogeye in the UK) Sprite. It’s the
iconic Sprite that had the bulging headlights and no trunk (boot) hatch. VERY small and harder to get in and out of than the Mini.
It’s very much like a go-kart and a thrill to drive. This car is different than
the “big Healeys” (of which I used to have a 100-4
long ago). This one has been updated (during a full restoration) to include a
1275cc engine, disk brakes and a new “ribcase”
transmission (and Minilite wheels).
