1977 Classic Mini 1100 Special

Our love for the UK goes beyond whisky and rolling hills — it extends to Sir Alec Issigonis’ ingenious design of the Mini. What started as a clever solution to post‑war fuel shortages became one of the most iconic small cars ever built. We’re fortunate to own a 1977 Classic Mini 1100 Special, a special Belgium edition.

When we first got the car, it had been neglected for years. Maintenance was patchy, it was colored fifty shades of black/purple (even some parts with glitter), and the electrics were unreliable. Since then, we’ve been steadily bringing it back to life: repainting panels, fixing rust within our possibilities, fixing wiring gremlins, replacing windows, and tackling countless small jobs. Some repairs we handle ourselves — like the above and normal maintenance — while bigger projects are entrusted to a local garage. It’s a balance of DIY passion and professional support, each step making the car a little better than before.

The Mini has a personality that makes it impossible not to smile, every time we open the garage door. Driving it is pure joy: the direct steering, the mechanical feedback, the sense of connection to the road.