The Holy Grille.

Although I'd missed out on buying his Mini, the seller agreed to keep an eye out for anything that might be in my price range. He mentioned he'd seen a Mini in a garage in his neighbourhood but he was pretty sure the guy wasn't interested in selling. Apparently the car was covered in old boxes and hadn't been driven in a long time. Two weeks later I got an email - the seller had talked to the guy and was passing on the info:

1. One owner;
2. Year: 1969;
3. Type - Austin Mini , 998 cc, 2 SU carbs and larger exhaust;
4. Has not been driven since 1983;
5. Price: Owner is unsure what it is worth;
6. Some rust and engine might need work ?

This a Mark II Cooper. A 1969 Mark II Cooper. That hasn't been driven in 25 years. Sitting in the garage of an old British man who is unsure what it's worth. Fuck me. Obviously I e-mailed the guy right away to see if I could take a look. He was still reticent about selling but asked me to call in a week when I returned from a road trip.

I called last week. Still unsure, he's going to speak with his son and decide what they want to do with the car and get back to me.

I mentioned I was looking for a restoration project and that my father has restored Minis before - I'm hoping he'll realize the car deserves better than 25 years worth of dust and sell it for a ridiculously affordable price to someone that will care for it like a freaking lover.