We must have both been typing at the same time and out posts almost overlapped. I was never intending to put Paddy "on the open market" as it was always going to be a very personal thing.

OK like you all I would have liked to see just how high the bidding would go but - like a very good friend said to me the other day - I have the memories of all the good times and Paddy is now just a car and it was definitely time for me to let go.

The enormous response to my original quest for information caused me a lot of gratification to start with because of the interest it generated and then a major amount of stress when the whole thing spiralled totally out of control - mine or anyone elses.

Whilst all this was going on I was (as stated) contacted by phone and email by six people and I did consider all they had to say and wrote. Others were possibly interested but did not make any effort to contact me to have their names recorded as possible buyers.

I did not have a time frame to make my decision and everything could have been left sitting at my place for a month or a year but for some reason I had the urge to make the decision to sell before I could change my mind. It was a very difficult and stressful time for me.

Mu decision was made at 9.30pm on the Thursday night and Greg came on the Saturday to take Paddy and Wendy home with him. I made it through the day but that night was not good - but it was done.

Drat. This is me getting involved again. Must have something to do with sitting in a motel room by myself for the fourth night in a row. Think I should make a phone call or two and go out tomorrow night. Unfortunately being out in the poultry pavilion on my feet at the Royal all day means I'm too tired to do anything once I'm back "home" for the night.

Congratulations with your efforts at the show. Well done.

Irene...You should hold your head up high...the "right thing" has been done (the "right thing" as far as you are concerned, and that all that matters), you achieved in a relatively short time what others would take months to do under the circumstances

All the very best for the Future....Cheers, Mick

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

When do we get to see photos? Im intrigued, even as to what they look like now in the 'unrestored' state.

_________________

Good call. I have very recent photos of both "Paddy" and "Wendy" which give a good general impression as to what the cars look like today and am more than happy to share them with everyone. At this stage they are far too large (1.2MB plus) and I just need a bit of time to doctor them so that I can post them here.

These photos don't really show what challenges lie ahead to get them back to their former glory. Indeed, it has been said that the cars are beyond recovery, however I don't share this view and am confident that they will both be top quality cars following complete restoration. I will take some more detailed photos in due course to better portray the work ahead.

Cheers
R

When I get home from the Sydney Royal and have the time I will set up the website (nothing but a blank page right now) and you will all be able to see the entire history of Paddy in words and photos.

By that I mean from the factory until he left my care as I now have it all, including those "barn find" photos that seem to be in urgent demand. My comment was and still is - he was never lost so he can't be found.

After that it will be up to Greg to do the updates.

He will be updating me, but the rest of you will just have to wait.

*Bump*

_________________


IS NOW BACK ONLINE AFTER SOMETIME..... SORRY TO ALL, FOR NOT REPLYING TO PM'S!!

Been building a new workshop/storage facility to take the cars. Paddy will begin disassembly within a fortnight. Have been collecting bits and pieces to do the resto of both cars. My father (Coatesie on here) has started restoring engine parts ie brackets etc to help out timewise. Dave Perkins has been a part of this from the beginning, and assisted in collecting the cars and parts from Irenes place in NSW. To Dave I am already deeply greatfull. Fittingly Dave has offered to rebuild Paddy's engine and box, a job I dont usually trust to anyone. Dave has a reputation for outstanding work both at restorations and engine building. Its a great offer and I am really pleased to have Dave on board as part of Paddy's restoration. I am usually very protective about letting anyone work on my cars and as such always do my own mechanicals, body, paint and assembly.

Basically I am a fussy bastard, but couldnt wish to find more competent mates to give me a hand on this one. The restoration of Paddy will be a sympathetic restoration. As much of the original trim and fittings as possible will be put back on the car in an attempt to maintain the original patina of the car, even if it means the car will not be a perfect scoring concourse car.

_________________
1970 Cooper S ex-Bathurst & ATCC
1964 Austin Cooper S ex-Group C race car
1967 Morris Cooper S ex-Group B
1962 Mini Speed sports sedan
1968-71 ex-Peter Manton Shell car

I have a stack of photos to post up here. Let me figure out that photobucket thing again and I will post some up for you.

_________________
1970 Cooper S ex-Bathurst & ATCC
1964 Austin Cooper S ex-Group C race car
1967 Morris Cooper S ex-Group B
1962 Mini Speed sports sedan
1968-71 ex-Peter Manton Shell car

Great news, I'm excited to see the progress pics

I'll second that. You'll never find another bloke more knowledgeable and know how with engines and restoring things to original than the lovely Perko. Great bloke, and always top notch work.

_________________
Bluey-1973 Clubby - 1330, high lift, big cam, 7 port madness in progress..

Gumby-1978 Minivan, British Racing Green - 1310, high lift, mild cam, enlarged porting and chamber shape with big valve head, supercharged build in ever slow progress!

Basically I am a fussy bastard

And good onya for being so. I am heartened to hear that as what I see from your profile, you have some beautiful kit in your garage and for me I would only want a fussy bastard with the keys.

More power to you.

_________________
1964 Cooper UK 970 S 'CZ 4289'

Very interested in present photos and project photos

As you will be aware by now - Paddy was in our family for a couple of years and it was with regret that we couldn't make a sensible offer to Irene to return Paddy to the family fold.

My brother, Lindsay, who owned the car is no longer involved with minis but both 1310/71 (Kevin) and I retain a keen interest.

I am happy to pm my email address to you for memorobilia and update photos for our own appreciation

Mike

I'm still intending to set up a website to honour "Paddy" (with a extra page for Wendy too) but just haven't had the time lately.

That is mainly because it is the "chook showing" season and I'm going to be very busy with that. My Belgian Bantam Club Annual Show is the last weekend in June so organising that is taking up a lot of my time too.

I'll definitely get around to it eventually. I've been trying to find more photos and information but think I already have plenty to get the project going. My site will end with the sale to Greg unless he wants me to add progress photos and information in the future.

Now just need the time to get it done.

Excellent, just the way it should be.
A car like this (well, any old car really) needs to be able to tell a story and a hint of it's past just buy the looking at it.
We have enough oil paintings around to keep us going.

_________________

'72 English Van...'72 Export Moke ...63' 850...KZ 750E1...'74 P76

I think here are some pics maybe.
















[/url]

_________________
1970 Cooper S ex-Bathurst & ATCC
1964 Austin Cooper S ex-Group C race car
1967 Morris Cooper S ex-Group B
1962 Mini Speed sports sedan
1968-71 ex-Peter Manton Shell car