This little mini was bought many years ago nearly new by Mr. and Mrs. Spry. It has been with them since 1968, and recently was donated to John and Anne on the promise of it going to a good home. Over the last four years, we have been patiently restoring it, and completed it in Summer 2005 just in time for the MITP event.

The car was originally purchased by a business man in 1967, who registered it for export to South Africa. Plans changed, and it ended up at a local garage near London, where it was brought to the attention to Mr and Mrs Spry. Once purchased, it spent much of its life abroad, travelling to many parts of Europe, including Italy - no it wasn't back up for the Turin heist!

Back in England, it was used every day by Mrs Spry to take her back and forth from the school near London where she taught; both Mrs Spry and her husband were teachers. It then came up to Cumbria when they moved here to retire, and has been happily carrying the shopping. Interestingly enough, the door pockets were used to carry the gin bottles - unaware that Issi had specifically designed this aspect! On failing its MOT, it languished a bit until Mrs. Spry asked us to give it a new home (anything but the scrap yard!).

We took Mrs Spry out as the VIP around the Lakes last Summer when the weather was good. Sadly Mr Spry died a few years ago, so he only saw the car in construction. For Mrs. Spry, first getting in to it, in its better-than-new condition, brought a flood of happy memories back. It was very satisfying for us to fulfil our promise, and to bring so much happiness. We've since received loads of fresh tomatoes and apples from Mrs Spry's garden as a thankyou.

The mini now stands in our family collection, and can be seen at Minimaster or at MITP this year. You can see more photos of its restoration in traveller part I and part II