The Chicago MG Club is holding the Thirteenth Annual All British Swap Meet and Auto Jumble on Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL.
Brian & Steph Quirk will be staffing the M.I.N.I. table so stop by and say "Hi!" if you are not lucky enough to be heading south for Spring Thing!
Info about the event is on the CMGC website.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Spring Thing XIV 2009
Florida Mini Enthusiasts (FLAME) are hosting Spring Thing XIV February 20 - 22, 2009!
Info on the event is at http://www.flamemini.net/events.htm
Info on the event is at http://www.flamemini.net/events.htm
The History of Mini
Originally designed in 1955 by Sir Alec Issigonis the Mini was in continuous production from its introduction in 1959 until the last one rolled of the line in Oct. 2000. With over 5.5 million sold in its 41 year run the Mini was voted the European "Car of the Century" by an international panel. It represents the first use of a transverse mounted front wheel drive configuration in a production car. Over the years the engine size has increased from the original 848 cc engine to 1310 cc and the body has been upgraded to improve creature comfort and safety. However, the basic appearance is unchanged, in fact many body panels are interchangeable between the Mark I and the Mark V models. Minis have also been produced as pick up truck, a "woody" wagon, and panel van models as well as a jeep like vehicle called the Moke. Specially prepared Mini's have won innumerable races and road rallies, including 3 consecutive overall wins at the Monte Carlo rally.
In the 60’s British fashion designer Mary Quant named her newly introduced skirt after her car, as "neither was any longer than absolutely necessary". Mini's owners include: Peter Sellers, Tim Allen, Princes Diana, and of course Mr. Bean. Minis can be spotted in numerous TV shows and movies such as the recent feature "Borne Identity" with Matt Damon. Three Minis starred alongside Michael Caine and Noal Coward in the 1969 movie "The Italian Job"
The Mini, voted European Car of the Century and second only to the Model T as Car of the Century, is not very common in the U.S.A but enjoys a nation wide following of enthusiastic owners.
In the fall of 1983 some Illinois Mini owners started working to organize Minis In Northern Illinois (M.I.N.I.). In February 1984 the first meeting was held on a snowy Sunday afternoon at Russell's Barbeque in Rolling Meadows.
In the following years M.I.N.I. has provided fellowship for the Mini enthusiasts at monthly meetings and activities. The club holds an annual dinner in February and a picnic in August. Other activities have included technical sessions and scenic tours. We have attended Mini Meets, vintage car races at Road America, Mid-Ohio, Blackhawk and other tracks as well as the annual British Car Festival and local car shows and cruise nights. In 2004 M.I.N.I. and the St Louis Mini club M.A.D.M.E.N. co-hosted MiniMeet2004-West Meets East in Rockford IL . With over 500 attendees and 250 + Classic Minis and New MINIS, this event proved to be one of the biggest Mini get togethers ever held North America.
For more info about a complete history on the Mini check out this site. .
British Car Union Announces the 2009 British Car Festival
Every year M.I.N.I. participates in the British Car Union's British Car Festival!
This year's Festival is September 13, 2009 . The location is Oakton Community College, in Des Plaines, Illinois, easily reached from major expressways. The forest preserve setting provides ample paved parking for both participants and spectators. Vendors and local marque clubs will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.
M.I.N.I. Winter Picnic 2009
The Annual M.I.N.I. Winter Picnic has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday, March 15th at the Village Squire restaurant in South Elgin.
Meeting time to be determined.
http://www.thevillagesquire.com/
Meeting time to be determined.
http://www.thevillagesquire.com/
Mini Meet 2009 - East Meets West! "The Mini-sotan Job"
Registration for Mini Meet 2009 is now open!
Members of M.I.N.I. who are interested in attending the meet should reserve their hotel rooms as soon as possible and send in their registration. A group will be traveling north for the event!
From the official website:
"Please join the Mini/MINI enthusiasts of Minnesota for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the classic Mini and the 9th birthday of new MINI.
The theme for this year’s meet is "The Mini-sotan Job"; homage to both “Italian Job” movies and the 40th anniversary of the release of the 1969 film – a favorite of all Mini/MINI enthusiasts!
We hope you can join us for what will be a special celebration marking this significant milestone in Mini history! Set in a splendidly beautiful location with plenty of activities for all, plus some of the best touring roads around – especially when motoring in a Mini/MINI!
Registration is now open!
Minnesota United Minis (M.U.M.)"
For more information visit http://www.minimeet09.org/
Friday, January 23, 2009
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