Orig. Posting Date | User Name | Edit Date |
Jan 14, 2022 07:33AM | 1147 | |
Jan 14, 2022 07:26AM | Spitz | |
Jan 14, 2022 06:43AM | dimitris | |
Jan 14, 2022 12:12AM | Alex | |
Jan 13, 2022 08:04PM | Dr_Mini | |
Jan 13, 2022 06:21PM | Abelclasico | |
Jan 13, 2022 05:13PM | ve9aa | |
Jan 13, 2022 04:10PM | Rick Anderson | |
Jan 13, 2022 03:51PM | macmanron | |
Jan 13, 2022 03:49PM | Markiss | |
Jan 13, 2022 03:35PM | backstay | |
Jan 13, 2022 03:25PM | 94touring | |
Jan 13, 2022 02:58PM | SCUM | Edited: Jan 14, 2022 08:06AM |
Jan 13, 2022 01:32PM | JohninCM | |
Jan 13, 2022 11:59AM | MartinGreenbank | |
Jan 13, 2022 11:43AM | RyanA | |
Jan 13, 2022 11:10AM | Dan Moffet | |
Jan 13, 2022 09:40AM | kenatminimania | |
Jan 13, 2022 09:36AM | malsal | Edited: Jan 16, 2022 07:27PM |
Jan 13, 2022 09:09AM | 6464s | Edited: Jan 13, 2022 04:14PM |
Total posts: 306
Last post: Jan 14, 2022 Member since:Nov 12, 2000
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 1 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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I had a number of dealings with Big Al over the years and he was a great help to me with parts and advice.
The best story I have was; I had found a very nice Mini and the guy that was selling it also had built a new 1380 for it but hadn't installed it. I wanted the engine for my pickup and really didn't need the Mini. I sent Big Al the pictures and he was only about a hour away and drove up to see the Mini. When he got there the car was being test driven by a gentleman and then returned, the guy liked the car but needed to chat with his wife for a few minutes and returned to his car that his wife was sitting in. Big Al looked at the car and told the owner he would take it and the engine for the full asking price and handed him the cash. The gentleman returned from talking with his wife and proudly exclaimed he would take the car! He was not amused when the owner informed him that it had been purchased!
Big Al thank you and we will miss you greatly
The best story I have was; I had found a very nice Mini and the guy that was selling it also had built a new 1380 for it but hadn't installed it. I wanted the engine for my pickup and really didn't need the Mini. I sent Big Al the pictures and he was only about a hour away and drove up to see the Mini. When he got there the car was being test driven by a gentleman and then returned, the guy liked the car but needed to chat with his wife for a few minutes and returned to his car that his wife was sitting in. Big Al looked at the car and told the owner he would take it and the engine for the full asking price and handed him the cash. The gentleman returned from talking with his wife and proudly exclaimed he would take the car! He was not amused when the owner informed him that it had been purchased!
Big Al thank you and we will miss you greatly
Total posts: 13930
Last post: May 8, 2022 Member since:Jan 22, 2003
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Cars in Garage: 4
Photos: 381 WorkBench Posts: 1 |
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So Sad....so sorry to hear. Saw the news on FB this morning.
Never had the opportuntiy to meet him in person, but swapped many parts and stories over the years.
Never had the opportuntiy to meet him in person, but swapped many parts and stories over the years.
"Everybody should own a MINI at some point, or you are incomplete as a human being" - James May
"WET COOPER", Partsguy1 (Terry Snell of Penticton BC ) - Could you send the money for the unpaid parts and court fees.
Ordered so by a Judge
Total posts: 2022
Last post: Jan 14, 2022 Member since:Mar 8, 2002
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 1 WorkBench Posts: 1 |
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Rest in peace big guy!!! Thanks for the Mini Ride!!
Total posts: 10131
Last post: May 13, 2022 Member since:Mar 24, 1999
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Big Al was bigger than his name suggested, and is entwined throughout the history of this message board and Mini Meets in NA.
I'll never forget wandering round the parking lot at MME in Magog 2003 when we formulated PACE (BABE) which became a buzzword for a decade, even if the BABE bit did get dropped.
I'll never forget wandering round the parking lot at MME in Magog 2003 when we formulated PACE (BABE) which became a buzzword for a decade, even if the BABE bit did get dropped.
Total posts: 194
Last post: Feb 11, 2022 Member since:Aug 23, 2002
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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RIP my friend. Many a day we sat at the Mini meets and Spring Flings talking about our adventures. When I surgery from my Rescue work at the WTC on 9/11, Al was one of my few true mini friend's that reached out to help me during that difficult time. He was a one of a kind old school mini man. He will be sorely missed. God speed my friend............Moke on!
Total posts: 931
Last post: May 3, 2022 Member since:Aug 6, 2011
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Wow!! I am still shocked to hear about his passing. Although, I never had the chance to meet him in person, we talked and exchanged emails over the years. I really appreciated his honest advise and willingness to help any Mini enthusiast. A great loss to the Mini community.
Total posts: 8515
Last post: May 17, 2022 Member since:Sep 30, 2002
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Cars in Garage: 4
Photos: 40 WorkBench Posts: 2 |
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Always a friend to me (and most of you as well) Big Al was doing stuff for me w/o being asked even before I had my first Mini.
I drove his baby-poop green Mini Auto at a MME in QC in 2003 and he didn't really even know me that well. Just tossed me the
keys and said "off you go Mike". That was the first time I had ever been the driver of a Mini.
I'll post some cool pix in a day or two, to this thread, to remember him by. They're on another HDD.
RIP my friend.
I drove his baby-poop green Mini Auto at a MME in QC in 2003 and he didn't really even know me that well. Just tossed me the
keys and said "off you go Mike". That was the first time I had ever been the driver of a Mini.
I'll post some cool pix in a day or two, to this thread, to remember him by. They're on another HDD.
RIP my friend.
~ 30 minutes in a Mini is more therapeutic than 3 sessions @ the shrink. ~
Mike NB, Canada
Total posts: 4154
Last post: Jan 13, 2022 Member since:Aug 15, 2001
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Very sad news. He was a nice guy and always willing to help. RIP, Big Al.
Total posts: 2935
Last post: Jan 13, 2022 Member since:Apr 28, 2003
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Cars in Garage: 5
Photos: 59 WorkBench Posts: 7 |
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Heard about Big Al's passing today on FB. Sad day, I just text'd him the other day about shipping some TR6 door panels to Canada. He h=gave me some advice. I asked how he'd been and he said Just fine. Then I hear this today.
My Email is : [email protected] !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Total posts: 181
Last post: May 19, 2022 Member since:Oct 2, 2020
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
Sorry to hear.
Did he ever sell his Moke? If not, we could try to help the family sell it if they need assistance? In case anyone sees the ad on here and doesn't know him, they will be trying to contact him for it.
Did he ever sell his Moke? If not, we could try to help the family sell it if they need assistance? In case anyone sees the ad on here and doesn't know him, they will be trying to contact him for it.
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Simple recipe for Excitement: Take 1 Classic Mini. Throw in 1590cc's of engine. Add 5 gears. A dash of 94 octane. A sprinkle of style inside and out. Toss in 1 MadMan and finally heat tires and pavement to taste. Recipe produces 1 Mini VTEC conversion and full satisfaction. Motor on!
Simple recipe for Excitement: Take 1 Classic Mini. Throw in 1590cc's of engine. Add 5 gears. A dash of 94 octane. A sprinkle of style inside and out. Toss in 1 MadMan and finally heat tires and pavement to taste. Recipe produces 1 Mini VTEC conversion and full satisfaction. Motor on!
Total posts: 64
Last post: Jan 14, 2022 Member since:Apr 12, 2014
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
Very sad day for me!! We had emailed very recently and I believe he said he was 88 or 89, as Hugh states.
I have been out of the mini scene for about 15 years, or so, but we always kept in touch. I must have bought at least a half a dozen Minis from Big Al over a 10 or 15 year period, including one that I made him take back, when my excellent mechanic said it was a lemon, and he couldn't fix it!!
Ever the Gentleman, Al came and hauled the car away and refunded my purchase money....
I had been counting on Big Al to be our sponsor for us to move to Canada, if and when the US politics explode, which I expect may be imminent with what's going on now. He volunteered to sponsor us and help us move if it came to that.
There is a hole in my heart, where Big Al still lives, and I will never forget him.
Does anyone here know how his wife Joy is? I know he had grown kids, adults now, and they will carry on for him.
Anyone wants to contact me privately, it's bill (@) mitchel (dot) net.
I have been out of the mini scene for about 15 years, or so, but we always kept in touch. I must have bought at least a half a dozen Minis from Big Al over a 10 or 15 year period, including one that I made him take back, when my excellent mechanic said it was a lemon, and he couldn't fix it!!
Ever the Gentleman, Al came and hauled the car away and refunded my purchase money....
I had been counting on Big Al to be our sponsor for us to move to Canada, if and when the US politics explode, which I expect may be imminent with what's going on now. He volunteered to sponsor us and help us move if it came to that.
There is a hole in my heart, where Big Al still lives, and I will never forget him.
Does anyone here know how his wife Joy is? I know he had grown kids, adults now, and they will carry on for him.
Anyone wants to contact me privately, it's bill (@) mitchel (dot) net.
Total posts: 3382
Last post: Jan 13, 2022 Member since:Oct 1, 2002
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 1 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Sorry to hear of this. Condolences to his friends and family.
Total posts: 867
Last post: Apr 30, 2022 Member since:Aug 23, 2000
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Total posts: 1842
Last post: Mar 5, 2022 Member since:Feb 24, 2002
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 1 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Godspeed Big Al!
Total posts: 140
Last post: May 23, 2022 Member since:Feb 27, 2007
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Cars in Garage: 6
Photos: 20 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
Totally shocked! Rest In Peace BIG AL.
"Nature Bats Last"
Total posts: 457
Last post: Jan 13, 2022 Member since:Jul 30, 2007
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Cars in Garage: 2
Photos: 13 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Total posts: 9103
Last post: May 21, 2022 Member since:Aug 14, 2002
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Sad news indeed. He was a BIG part of our Mini community.
Years ago, when my collection of Mini magazines got out of hand, I offered them to anyone on this message board who wanted any of them.
BIG AL contacted me and eventually took the whole pile - two bundles that cost over $75 to ship by bus parcel express. He told me he liked to leave a few copies with the Minis he sold, to whet the appetite of the new owners. Such a gentleman. He is missed already.
Years ago, when my collection of Mini magazines got out of hand, I offered them to anyone on this message board who wanted any of them.
BIG AL contacted me and eventually took the whole pile - two bundles that cost over $75 to ship by bus parcel express. He told me he liked to leave a few copies with the Minis he sold, to whet the appetite of the new owners. Such a gentleman. He is missed already.
.
"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."
Total posts: 2183
Last post: May 25, 2022 Member since:Dec 29, 2004
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Cars in Garage: 1
Photos: 9 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Sad news, RIP Big Al - you will be missed.
Total posts: 8382
Last post: Jan 13, 2022 Member since:Feb 7, 2006
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
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Very sad news,.
Al was always a big part of the Mini family my condolences to Joy and his family.
RIP Big Al The Mini Mover.
Al was always a big part of the Mini family my condolences to Joy and his family.
RIP Big Al The Mini Mover.
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.
Total posts: 244
Last post: May 25, 2022 Member since:Jan 25, 2017
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Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
Oh No. RIP Big Al, my friend. We would have breakfast and other meals together at the minimeets. Sit in the shady spots, just talking and laughing. He was a great story teller and equally had a great sense of humor. I've missed him because of the lack of meets.
He just emailed me, a couple of weeks ago, with the internet find of a mini beach car knowing that I'm building one.
I am so sad. I will miss him.
He just emailed me, a couple of weeks ago, with the internet find of a mini beach car knowing that I'm building one.
I am so sad. I will miss him.