NEW in the above menu….
MEETING MINUTES – Minutes from the April meeting are posted. 4/20/23.
CLASSIFIEDS – For sale, Cobra brand drivers seat, like new. 4/20/23.
Mini Meet West 2023
(1/14/2023) – We’re working hard on the planning for this year’s Mini Meet and as you can well imagine it’s a lot to do! We’re looking for possible help from the other West Coast clubs during the event. If you and your mates are coming to Mini Meet, we would appreciate any help you could provide. That could be anything from directing people to the proper parking spots during the Shine & Show to leading the AutoX. Please let me know if you can support us.
https://www.minimeetwest2023.com
Cheers,
Craig Dewey, craig_dewey@comcast.net
President, MOASF
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MINI HEAT WEST 2022
Hot but much better than rain
Ben Compton had nine months to gather a team of volunteers and execute a plan and they did it! The meet and greet was well done, show and shine site was unfortunately changed by the hotel at the last minute but they pulled it off.
The 75 mile scenic drive went off without a hitch, not counting a 60-car pee stop and having a Mini with no brake lights in front of me.
Ben’s approach for the meet was to have each event start late in the morning and end in the early afternoon to allow free time to explore. It worked!
The only complaint that I heard was that the autocross course was too cramped but that was to restrict speeds as dictated by the hotel.
There may be some of the normal grousing but the meet was one of the best that I’ve been to!
– Jerry Miller
- For more about the meet including plenty of photos go to RECENT EVENTS.
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Minis right at home on autox course
Autocrossing was huge in the 60s and 70s and, since the Mini is the best autocross car ever produced, SAMOA was formed back then as an “Autocross Club,” partaking in events all over the Northwest. You can continue the tradition.
The sport of Autocross is alive and well and you can join SAMOA member Dave Anderson and the Bremerton Sports Car Club for some great fun and excitement!!! For further information click on NEXT EVENTS on the above menu. – February, 2022
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Next events
June 24 member’s meeting at Greenwood Car Show!
Not just another SAMOA member’s meeting, this one’s going to be in conjunction with the Greenwood Car Show. Yes, that means you’ll need to enter the show to go the the June meeting. We’ll have the meeting in the morning before the masses arrive. To enter the car show go to their website and do it now! Go here to register – https://www.greenwoodcarshow.com We’ll have more details available here as the event draws near.
Speaking of masses, the Minis are always a major hit at the Greenwood Car Show. SAMOA has been attending the show since nearly the beginning and we’ve had as many as 20 Minis on display.
MORE UPCOMING MINI EVENTS
That’s just the beginning of a couple of months full of Mini activity. First and foremost it’s Mini Meet West in Santa Maria, California happening June 26 through 29. Lots of SAMOA planning going on by those going to this event. Hosted by MOA-San Francisco with SAMOA’s efforts coordinated by MOA-SF transplant and SAMOA member Dave Anderson. Time to get on board if you’re going. Details – https://www.minimeetwest2023.com
And if you’re looking for something to do between now and Mini Meet West check out this lineup:
17 Sat – 8am – BRITISH INVASION Show and Shine – at Alderbrook Park, Brush Prairie, WA. Sponsored by the Portland ABFM. Details – https://madmimi.com/p/9b4a561?pact=16451-173582054-7931541657-35060f4bc0101dca67123778c377ee04362a369f
June 24 Sat – 31st GREENWOOD CAR SHOW, Seattle – Always a large turnout of SAMOA Minis. Register online then gather as a group in the early AM to enter the show on June 24. Registration and more details here on this site. – https://www.greenwoodcarshow.com
And don’t forget:
July 15 Sat – WESTERN WASHINGTON ALL BRITISH FIELD MEET, St. Edward State Park, Kenmore, WA – Details https://wwabfm.com
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WHITE ELEPHANT AUCTION, 2023
(2/7/2023) The White Elephant Auction is history and a brief summary can be found in RECENT EVENTS. You will also find the minutes from the February member’s meeting which was held at the auction. -Ed Sauer, secretary
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Seattle area Cars and Coffee
Known to be frequented by original Minis
CARS AND COFFEE SHORELINE
Central Market
15505 Westminster Way N
Shoreline, WA 98133
Every Saturday from 8am to 10am, May through Sept
https://www.facebook.com/CarsAndCoffeeSeattle
LAKE WASHINGTON CARS AND COFFEE
Madrona Beach
853 Lake Washington Blvd
Seattle, WA 98122
Every Sunday 10am to 12noon
https://www.facebook.com/LakeWashingtonCarsAndCoffee
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NEW SAMOA BUSINESS CARDS
For all SAMOA members – Have you ever noticed a Mini that you don’t recognize parked on the street or in a lot and wanted to leave a note about SAMOA? Or have you ever been approached by someone who is fascinated by your Mini and wants to know more?
SAMOA now has business cards for all paid members to keep in their car(s) for just such occasions. There is plenty of room on the back of the card to leave your name and number or just a little greeting. Or leave it blank if you’re in a mysterious mood. Send an email or text to me and I’ll see that you get a small quantity of cards. -Ed Sauer, secretary, 1/20/2022
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WE’RE UP AND RUNNIN’, MEMBERSHIP WISE
It’s time to renew your dues. This club doesn’t just run on its good looks you know. A new membership renewal procedure is in effect and if you don’t understand. If you aren’t sure if you do or don’t need to renew your dues, you probably do. Call me, my number is listed below. It’s painless as a covid shot. -Toby May, president, membership maven, 1/31/2021
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Out and about
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Is an original Mini really that small or are present-day vehicles really that BIG!
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WEST-SIDE TOURS a huge success
If it works in October (a west-side tour that is) then why not November? Caution, these tours can be habit forming.
SAMOA Minis tour in mid-October but it felt more like mid-July. Read all about these tours in RECENT EVENTS.
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SAMOA to the Shanty
It’s time to introduce an old Seattle road house to an old Seattle car club. Jump in your Mini and we’ll see you at The Shanty Tavern, 90th and Lake City Way, Friday, October 21, 4:30pm till 6:30pm. Drive what makes you happy!
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In these trying times keep in mind there’s no better mood enhancer than a drive in your Mini. Next time you hit the road, snap a selfie, writeup a brief description of your trip and send it to the blog editor so your fellow SAMOAns get to share in your experience.
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An historical transmission rebuild
“Met with Chris Miller today to work on the Downton Mini gearbox.” The latest from Ted Atkins on the restoration of the famous Downton Mini. See the HISTORY section of this blog for Del Gould’s account of this most-significant Mini. 4/16/2022 – photo by Ted Atkins
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SAMOA’s 55th celebration slightly dampened
Considering the weather (it was raining when we got there and it was raining when we left) it was not a bad turnout at all as 11 Minis and several more Miniacs made the early trip to, of all places, The Super China Buffet (next door to The Central Market), to show off to an otherwise almost empty parking lot. SAMOA’s first club meeting took place on March 18, 1967.
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Down on the dock
Me and Grumbleina with the Ballard Bridge as a backdrop. Must have been May 2021 because I hadn’t had a haircut during the pandemic when the photo was taken. From the end of the NW Dock at Fisherman’s Terminal.
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Orcastoberfest
Orcas Island Octoberfest, 2021 happened in the middle of November. So did a healthy storm.
Quite a few islanders found their driveways out in the road that morning. Washouts, Mount Constitution Road closed, no electricity, Rosario Resort Bar closed, great fun! We still managed a spirited drive using boulders as autocross cones. One spectator was quite worried about our safety.
After her many gesticulations and a word or two we figured out we might have endangered her and her wee dogs by doing 17mph in a 25 zone with 20 feet between us. We’re so, so sorry. – Don and Marian
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On the 2023 calendar
SAMOA plans for 2023 are well underway and are listed on the 2023 EVENTS CALENDER on the above menu. There will be more info to come and this calendar will be updated on a regular basis. Also, more details will be available at upcoming monthly member’s meetings.
History
Go to HISTORY in the MENU at top of home page for details of the following and many other past events.
A few months ago SAMOA’s long-time leader and Historian, Chuck Heleker, let it be known he would be retiring from his Historian position. A tough act to follow but SAMOA got lucky when Kelley Mascher stepped forward and volunteered.
Boxes and boxes of archived material have made their way from Chuck’s to Kelley’s including a classic first-person account by Del Gould of how the iconic “Downton Mini” came to be. – March 5, 2022
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Regalia
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For more regalia info click on MENU/REGALIA in the header at the top of the home page.
SAMOA celebrates 55 years in existence in 2022. To help mark this occasion your Regalia department is advocating for a new item of SAMOA memorabilia. NEW DRIVERS HATS
Similar to the style worn by a famous Scottish racing driver who has not endorsed the use of his name so we won’t. These Fersten hats are 78% polyester, 20% cotton, 2% spandex and 100% the classic style for NW Mini drivers. With the legendary SAMOA emblem on the back these hats can be worn with the visor to the front or back, depending on the wind speed.
The following pictures show the correct orientation for slow speeds and/or light winds, high speeds and/or strong winds. and if you guess wrong.The hats are available in two sizes, S/M and L/XL. Color selection is limited to the brown shown. The price is only $30.00.
Details in MENU/REGALIA.
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SAMOA JACKETS NOW AVAILABLE
SAMOA members can now custom order an official SAMOA jacket of their very own! Go up to the menu and click on REGALIA for all the exciting details.
Tool library
You’ll be saying, “Thank goodness for SAMOA,” the first time you are working on your Mini and you need “that special tool.” You know the one, and chances are it’s in the SAMOA Tool Library.
For more info, click on MENU/TOOL LIBRARY above.
Gas was $6.299 per gallon. Filled my tank. Came to $125.98 Drove off without paying. Court date is August 22. Fine is $70.
Savings is $55.98.
Stay tuned for more money saving tips
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Mechanicals
British expert offers course in Mini tuning
For details go to MENU/MECHANICALS above.
The SAMOAn - What's going on? 