Created by: Found 28 Messages
Posted:
Dec 10, 2013
06:25PM
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Total posts: 457
Last post: Jan 13, 2022 Member since:Jul 30, 2007
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| At the ripe old age of 80 l have decided to call it quits - Albeit l got into the mini game late 1988, l have had 25 years of fun and excitement - I have met many great people in the hobby and made many friends also, a few of the people l met a long the way have passed on-such a pity. A lot of us have gone thru major illness and surgeries but still hang on. With all the regulations and restrictions doing the mini thing just isn't the fun it used to be-As the Mini Mover, l moved/hauled tons of cars but now, you can't move cross border with all the restrictions and conditions- Moving minis was never a great money maker, just part of the hobby. I have been in towns and villages that no one new existed but if a mini had to be moved, l found it. I have now pretty well reduced my inventory to where it is manageable for now-I still have tons of parts to sell but they will go, one way or another. I consider the past and all the names, now gone- BMC in Smithville, Ontario, Mr. Mini in Stoney Creek, Ontario, ML in California, Turky in Charleston SC, and some who have shrunken their operations to next to nothing. As l see it the hobby is on life support, not enough young blood coming in-Where will it be in 2020? Not sure but l will be history for sure. I promised my family that l would take it easy after my BIG TIME heart attack in 2008 but of course l didn't, not walking in a program, not eating healthy, grossly over weight and living on borrowed time. As far as minis are concerned, l have owned some of the best, but my nature is to move them along for others to enjoy- The BIG BMC unit was just outstanding, what a conversation piece and of course my original 1949 Austin COE diesel K-8 model got me started in hauling cars. A special thanks to Ryan Adams my web master and Martin Fontaine who did the job before, both great I.T types and also great mini owners. And also a special mention to Captain J.J. for all his help over the years, while wheeling the BIG BMC around the country. He died way to young. R I P John- People like Mini Mania and their forum hold the community together in North America and without their support there would be no common link. Kudos also to Mike Guido of CMU who has put together a 1000 member club of classic mini owners and was good enough to host two "BIG Al Snow Bird” mini shows in Cocoa beach FL. Thanks Mike and Malcolm for that.And in Canada, the British Saloon Car Club of Canada (BSCCOC) who at 400 members strong keep the LBC scene going- So, thanks to all my friends, customers and acquaintances for their help and support over the years. Now off to Florida for some sun and just plain kick back with my great family. |
"I've Got A Cunning Plan"- Baldrick, Blackadder
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Total posts: 13639
Last post: Dec 22, 2018 Member since:Nov 8, 1999
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And what birthday party would be complete without mini candies in the shape of a mini van- Somehow a BINI candy slipped in as well as some candy mice-Of course most minis are familiar with mice when being stored in the winter
Thanks Ryan, now just find a clubman mold and we will be all set-
BIG AL
new e-mail address-
[email protected]
Please update your records-
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Total posts: 1133
Last post: Nov 20, 2024 Member since:Dec 4, 2001
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Enjoy Al! You have been a big help to alot of people over the years. You will be missed if you don't come out to a few mini events!!!
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Total posts: 13639
Last post: Dec 22, 2018 Member since:Nov 8, 1999
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Thanks to Ryan and the Adams family for this great classic mini gift-
Ryan put it all together and had it finished in GA-
BIG AL
new e-mail address-
[email protected]
Please update your records-
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Total posts: 4703
Last post: Nov 19, 2015 Member since:Oct 19, 2000
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Happy Birthday Al!!
And many more!
Mike
mtgibby
"Democracy is two wolfs and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin
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Total posts: 993
Last post: Oct 30, 2020 Member since:May 9, 2001
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Al,
Enjoy your retirement! I sent you an e-mail.
Jeff
________________________________________
l0st.
"if it's gonna be that type of message board, i'm going to stick my mini in the mashed patatoes!!"
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Total posts: 870
Last post: Jan 13, 2025 Member since:Aug 23, 2000
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Thanks for your help with the hardtop and for various parts over the years. Enjoy your retirement, you have earned it!! Eric
SCUM #2. "Life is too short to own just one classic Mini!"
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Total posts: 8635
Last post: May 5, 2025 Member since:Sep 30, 2002
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Who will I buy a Clubman Estate from now ?
Happy Birthday buddy. Don't drink any of that Florida coffee. It's not nearly as
good as Tim Hortons' !
<<<Insert Robins' roll-eyes emoticon here>>>
(apologies to my American friends)
~ 30 minutes in a Mini is more therapeutic than 3 sessions @ the shrink. ~
Mike 
NB, Canada
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Total posts: 438
Last post: Nov 13, 2022 Member since:Mar 27, 2002
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Wow, I don't comment here much but am an active follower. I've bought a couple items off Al and he has been outstanding to deal with. Very honourable(Honorable) and helpful. I guess this is the best way to break oneself of an obsession - cold turkey! Thank you Al for your involvement in this hobby, I hope the withdrawal's are being managed well using the proper medications. I've pretty much enjoyed every topic with your comments embedded. I hope to up the ante by becoming more active myself. I've invested a few years now gleaning information from this site, hopefully it is accurate enough to pass on. It's amazing the amount of useless as well as useful information one can get here. Anyway, if there is anyone else out there who has not been as active as they would like, do it now in Al's name. Thanks Al for all you've done for me. I know a lot more about Spiders now......
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Total posts: 7063
Last post: Apr 26, 2025 Member since:May 23, 2002
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Big Al can't possibly live in Florida....they don't have Tim Hortons there!
"Retired: No Job, No Money, Wife and I! Will travel anywhere for Minis"
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Total posts: 184
Last post: Nov 5, 2013 Member since:Sep 2, 2008
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Happy 80th and Happy Retirement! Thanks for great stories, deals, conversations, laughs! You have always made our day at any mini event! You trully made a difference in this community! All my best to you, Al!
Edited:
Nov 6, 2013
01:15PM
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Total posts: 9832
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All the best Al, and thanks for what you've done for the hobby.
The idea of Al in Florida reminds me of Thornton the polar bear in Sherman's Lagoon.
.
"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."
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Total posts: 1787
Last post: Aug 6, 2020 Member since:Feb 26, 1999
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Geeeze... turn 80, retire, and go to Florida... Funny how some jokes are based on fact. Happy B-day/retirement!!!!!!!!!!!
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Total posts: 8382
Last post: Jan 13, 2022 Member since:Feb 7, 2006
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He is currently on vacation with his family in Florida maybe when he finds a computer to use he will comment.
If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.
Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.
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Total posts: 217
Last post: Jul 20, 2022 Member since:Apr 16, 2012
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Hmmm,
Big Al has not commented on this.................
Mitch
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Total posts: 246
Last post: Mar 9, 2017 Member since:Aug 13, 2000
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Big Al happy 80th birthday! Hope you can make the events you were not able to in the past.
Joy will always be there for you , as you have for her.
Regards
Towjoe 
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Total posts: 1133
Last post: Nov 20, 2024 Member since:Dec 4, 2001
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Al, Does your email still work??
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Total posts: 114
Last post: Aug 20, 2020 Member since:Sep 18, 2001
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Al, This means you can attend the events just to socialize - without having to work -
right?!? Always looking forward to seeing you.
Tim Bosse
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Total posts: 1133
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Al,
Knowing Joy, she will ABSOLUTELY NOT LET YOU STAY HOME ALL THE TIME!! She will send you to mini events....(rather than have you stay home)...fear not my friend!!!
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Total posts: 2161
Last post: Jun 13, 2019 Member since:Oct 21, 2006
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Al Baby,
This can't be true! This is not the time to stop doing what you do best my good man! I once knew a Gent that was 105 years old, (true story). His name was Pearl Bailey. He actually fought in the Spanish/American War, and had a signed letter from President Kennedy of congratulations. This guy smoked a pipe since he was a teenager. He got up every morning and fixed himself bacon and eggs. He also had a big shot of whiskey each and everyday, (this according to him, was the sercret to his longevity!) So you see AL, all you need to do now is learn how to cook bacon and eggs!!! You'll still be an infant at 80 years old. There are plenty more Classic Minis out there that need fussing over. This World would surely stop spinning if you decided to become a 'couch potatoe', so you best get yourself back out there and sell some more Minis! A corn cob pipe and a Lil' whiskey, Big AL will be at the top of his game for many years to come!!! (seriously AL, you'll always be "The Man". We all wish you the very very best!) You've always been a pleasure to deal with. Mini Estate
Found 28 Messages
