MINI matters…
My precious attended her ‘pre-warranty expiration inspection’ today.
It is absolutely incredible to think that about three years ago, I was a nervous 21 year old, anticipating the arrival of a brand new MINI Cooper S. A car that was designed and built to my exact (poverty spec) specifications months before, had been taken from the Oxford plant upon completion (which as fate would have it, was completed on the same week as my Birthday), transported to the Southampton dock, where it was quickly loaded on the Wallenius Wilhelmsen lines ocean car transporter; the ‘Mignon’, and shipped down the Atlantic Ocean, across the Indian Ocean, via the bottom of Australia and eventually up to Sydney. It would sit on the dock before being moved via TNT transport to the Minto depot, where eventually, a truck would pick it up and deliver it to Hamilton. A few days later, I was the proud owner. Driving back to work in a silver MINI Cooper S. My MINI Cooper S.
I can still remember tracking it every step of the way. I remember bugging Rob at Klosters MINI Garage for my car’s VIN number. Way before it was even set to hit the production line. I remember plugging that number, the number now permanently etched into my memory, into the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Cargo Tracker, waiting for it to appear. Waiting for the booking to be lodged. Waiting for the lodging to be confirmed. Waiting for the car to be delivered to the dock. Waiting for the departure…
I’d post each of its steps, in screenshots and in enthusiastic (some may say annoying) posts on the forums whenever the tracker changed. I kept an eye on the dates, even checked on the weather occasionally. Scoured the internet for webcams that had their focus on designated docks.
Southampton - UK, East London - South Africa, Durban - South Africa, Fremantle - Australia.
On the 24th of May, 2004, the ‘Mignon’ docked at Fremantle. A good friend, MickyD, one who understood the wait, gave me the first glimpse of Mother Mignon, baby Obsession somewhere deep inside her belly.
The excitement really began here. It was real. It was circling Australia, not too far away.
Then on the 31st of May the Wallenius Wilhelmsen tracker status changed.
Just after 1pm in Sydney, a MINI Cooper S was touching down on Australian soil. Over twenty-thousand kilometres traveled across the globe.
Over to the TNT tracker I went. Each day checking it. Plugging in my memorised number, but each day that passed, the status failed to change. I was getting ready to sport the Ninja suit and head down to Minto, drive it up to the MINI dealership myself.
Then one day faith was restored.
On the 4th of June, Rob at Klosters received a phone call from yours truly, advising him that my MINI was waiting at the dealership holding yard. And inquiring when it would be available for pickup.
… The first glimpse. She was here safe …
And people ask why I love it so much.
Almost three years ago and I can remember it as vividly as if it was yesterday.
Almost three years hence, my warranty is set to expire. Apart from some minor details, she has been given a bill of health today. Tomorrow she is getting a new windscreen to replace the battered, cracked sheet that sits in the front opening at the moment.
Next week she will cost me almost $3000 to insure and get back on the road again for another year. Even with a full no-claim bonus. It seems almost crazy to outlay those sort of dollars on running a car every year, especially since I’m only paying these rates because I’m in the ‘under 25 male driving a forced induction car and will obviously crash’ bracket.
But I will because its just that special of a car. Its magic. Every time I drive it, every time I look at it. Copperfield ain’t got anything on my MINI. Pure magic.
