1972 Austin Mini "Giles"

When I decided, in 1998, that I wanted to get a 'summer ride', I had settled on a mid-60s American convertible--something that would fit in my small condo garage. By accident, I stumbled across the ad for my Mini in the local Sunday classified ads. I hadn't even thought of looking for a Mini, but, after one drive, I was hooked.

The car is Canadian spec, and was driven by a 6'-tall female teacher in upstate NY and maintained by her nephews; she died, one of them inherited it, and he sold it to the fellow I bought it from. Apparently, it was originally seafoam green, repainted a dark green, and fitted with Honda seatbelts and Honda 600 seats.

The vehicle was cosmetically restored--the full "Joan Rivers", including a slightly lighter shade of green that happens to be a Lotus color--in the spring of 2005 after an excruciatingly long and complex process. Here are the other upgrades:

• 1980 RSP black and red interior
• custom center console with added AM/FM/cassette radio
• custom alloy mesh dashboard trim, with two additional speakers mounted behind the mesh
• original 10" wheels replaced with 12" Minator wheels
• original 36hp 998cc motor replaced with rebuilt 80hp 1293cc motor
  
• Inalfa sliding canvas sunroof
• alloy trim for door handles, window winders, and emergency brake
• chrome bullet mirrors