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[Trail of Dead]

Today I decided to take the Mini out to pick my Son up from school and then off to the base to wash the Mini. On the way to the base the Mini died....no response from the gas pedal, no warning at all...just nothing. I was in front of a roundabout too, during rush hour! I thought "CRAP!". So, I put my blinkers on and proceeded to pop the bonnet to inspect. I didn't notice anything abnormal so I was kinda stumped. A bazillion cars flew past me and there really wasn't anywhere I could push it, plus my 4 year old Son was with me and in situations like these he ALWAYS decides to be a bonehead (i.e pushing buttons, twisting knobs, generally doing everything possible to make matters worse. Sometimes it sucks being a parent!).

Out of nowhere I saw a Toyota pull up behind me with his 4 ways on. I thought "Cool! Someone that is going to help me move the Mini!". He jumped out of his truck and lo and behold he was an Airman from the base on his way to PT. He immediately said "I'm a Mini owner too, what was it doing before it died?". So we looked under the bonnet together and tried a few things to no avail. With that he pulled my Mini to his house that was only a half mile away and his neighbor popped to take a look. Apparently these guys are WAYYYY into Minis and know exactly what to look for. I was a trained Mechanic years and years ago but I haven't done much of it since and had no tools on me, so these guys were a real lifesaver!

Apparently the plate that holds the points was preventing the points from opening. We chatted for a little while after the issue was fixed and they explained to me all the ways these little cars can conk out. Weird, my Mini breaks down and BOOM I made some new friends. How neat, things like that make it cool to be a Mini owner. It is the same camaraderie I felt when I owned a Mustang. Lots of great, helpful fellow owners! Long live the Mini!!!

[luiji89]

awesome, they sound like really nice blokes!

toby