I lose no sleep over it that’s for sure. I have previously tried to get it through people’s heads that if this trend continues it will ultimately destroy the finite number of Minis left on this planet. The people who do this have absolutely no regard for the car, its heritage or it’s value (and I am not talking about money). It is by far one of the most unique and most influential vehicles ever to grace this planet. It is our duty to protect it and to pass it along to our children and grandchildren. Most people only think of one car, theirs, and not the big picture. It is not unreasonable, under current law to buy legal or not at all. As cool as it is to drive a SPI or MPI it is not worth destroying its VIN to accommodate our self indulgence.

Just as much as it upsets people that I bring light to this “trend” it upsets me and many others that their arrogance to thumb their nose at those willing to abide by the law, no matter how stupid the laws might be.

My opinions are mine and can be mine alone, if no one has any more regard for the car that’s fine. I am not looking to snitch anyone out, as a matter of fact some folks that have newer cars are great people, I would hate that their decisions to ignore laws would get them into trouble, but that’s their call not mine. I didn’t convince them or tell them or sell them what they have.

How can anyone get irritated with me by doing what’s right, by exposing 1000’s of cars that are being destroyed. A re-VIN car is nothing more than a junkyard car being driven or displayed. It is valueless except to those who chose to have them. When they come of age and are legal their value will plummet making them obsolete. It is a huge black eye to the cars creator and I can imagine that Sir Alec would roll over in his grave if he thought that his creation was being raped of it’s history.

Whatever, people who have them enjoy the heck out of them, drive them into the dirt, but every single one that is on eBay or a car bulletin board for sale is one more trying to sell their own mistakes and trying to convince everyone of something it is not and is a crime of the lowest caliber.

I guess I am putting the car before people and I do that mostly because the car will outlast them leaving a piece of junk to those who these are left to. It is unfair to the future and to my children and to yours. Every Mini in the world will be legal in this country in 2025. 17 years of patience is not a lot to ask to save 10’s of thousands of cars. But as I can see it is like beating my head against the wall to change anyone’s view so instead of changing anyone’s mind that have them now, I will keep the pressure on so that anyone looking to buy a Mini in the future knows the repercussions of buying an illegal car. It is a very serious issue and I hear the victimless crime argument, that does not fly. It is not hard to believe that stolen vehicles are entering into this country under the guise of the US population wanting new classics. People are getting hurt let alone the cars.

I have had two classic cars stolen, a 64 Chevrolet Impala SS and a Vintage 60 VW both mint, re-VINed and in Mexico as far as law enforcement can determine due to the fact they were stolen in San Diego. It is not a victimless crime and people and insurance companies are losing millions of dollars a year. The thing that makes the Mini unique over the SS or VW is they all look the same and it is easier to hide these vehicles.

As I said, whatever, if people are comfortable driving their cars that have no history and enjoy driving a car that could have been someone else’s pride and joy, that’s their call, I am not their judge. I am not here to judge anyone, but the “trend” is out of control and no one cares, so that makes it all ok in most people’s eyes.

The most disturbing thing in all of this are those of us who have been involved in these cars for decades not willing to wait a few more years to own their legal SPI and MPI Minis or chose to look the other way when people try to sell them. Dealers and individuals who started out with the right heart, but somewhere down the line was moved to break the law and refuse to change to protect the integrety of the Mini and it’s community.

Hate me if you want, call me names, threaten me and my family (which has already been done), threaten my legal classic I have owned 36 years, but lets be real, the only person at fault are those who either buy one, import one, or try to sell one to people who don’t know better. I agree wholeheartedly with Norm that you need to investigate and know exactly what you are buying. At the same time you need to know the law, and what the repercussions are to breaking them. Who is to blame, only those involved in this “trend”, not me and surely not the officials that uphold the law.

Change the laws, I am all for it. The more Mini’s the better! I would love the opportunity to drive a legal 2000 MPI Mini tomorrow. But until then I will raise my voice against Re-VINing and destroying cars just to appease our self indulgence. There are more than enough legal Minis here and in the UK to support our desire to drive a classic Mini. God knows I know the joy of it and would not deny anyone that opportunity, I just don’t get why anyone would risk it all.