PUTNAM, CT — The NEMO Holiday Party for 2011 was held on Saturday, December 17th, at a wonderful venue called J. D. Cooper’s that was found by our Garage Maven, Dave Black.

The place has the perfect name for a bunch of Mini enthusiasts to hold a party! The private room was just the proper size for the 30 or more NEMO members and guests who attended. The buffet meal was partially funded by the club and had something for everybody. Members traveled to the event in 12 classic Minis and six new MINIs and a bunch of other vehicles.

This was the first time in a long while (ever?) that the event was held on a Saturday afternoon, the logic being that the members that have to drive five or six hours to get home, could stay overnight, visit with friends or NEMO members in the morning, and enjoy a leisurely drive home on Sunday. And that is what happened. The Saturday change was a big hit with attendees.

After the meal and self-introductions, the famous NEMO Yankee Swap started. And this year was not boring, with many gifts changing hands five or six times before the end.

If you missed it, you missed a good one, so plan on coming to next year’s event!

First up this month is Mark Fodor. Mark has been hard at the restoration of a 1960 850 and is pleased to report that it’s finally roadworthy. (“Finally” to Mark means he only started it a couple of months ago!) Having fitted a new nose, stripped, prepped, and re-sprayed the entire car, Mark called when he got hung up fitting the sliding window units. As he was looking for advice on how best to get the job done, I recommended he pay someone else to do it! Not to be undone, he forged ahead and used a little “Mark’s Magic” to complete the task. Final fitment of some of the brightwork also brought frustrated phone calls, but Mark worked through it all and the result is stunning.

We got together a couple of weeks ago to fine-tune the lump. It was hard to start and wouldn’t respond to the usual ministrations. Chasing both spark issues and carburetor butterflies, we finally got it to smooth out. Later in the day, Mark called to say it wouldn’t start to get it off the trailer. When asked if he’d changed the coil and plugs (both had been recommended) he admitted that, no, he hadn’t. Well, you know what happened after both were replaced — vroooom! We look forward to seeing this Mini at our next function.

Dave Hayden called from LA (that’s Louisiana!). Dave is in the middle of restoring a 1967 as a surprise for his wife and was trying to source some rubber cones. On another project, Dave had had a problem with the headliner turning inside out as soon as he got to speed. Suspecting that air was leaking up the pillars from the wheel wells, he solved the problem by filling said pillars with foam insulation!

The Barn project this winter is restoration of a one-owner 1967 998 Cooper. Henry Herrmann bought his Mini new in Germany 45 years ago and has driven it only 5,000 miles! Fifteen to 20 years ago, some kids turned it on its roof as a joke. The building manager (this happened in Boston), called the fire department because gas was leaking and the firemen, in all their wisdom, dragged the Mini out of the garage on its roof (instead of simply rolling it back right-side-up). Of course, a fair amount of damage was done and Henry went in search of a shop to do the job. Over the years the body was repaired, but left in primer.

It sounded like quite a challenge, and I can tell you that was the understatement of the year! Henry’s Mini is completely stripped with all the parts stored in plastic totes and cardboard boxes in a huge storage facility in Stratford, CT. Having been there for years, when Tim and I went to collect it, some key pieces were missing and we’ll have to go back to search for them.

The bodywork is being done at Northeast Auto Body, Thompson, CT, and the mechanicals, lump and both subframes are here at The Barn. The lump had been painted at some point, but the color was wrong and the painter must have gobbed on an entire gallon of paint — what a mess! The entire unit, including every bit in the transmission, had to be completely disassembled and sandblasted, then hot washed to remove the blast media. Every nut, bolt, shaft, fixture, and washer has been either wire-brushed or blasted, then primed and painted.

Henry insists on keeping this Mini original, so every picture available has been consulted to make sure all the colors are correct. It really is a lot of fun to work on mechanicals that were last put together at the factory, and with so few miles on them, in like-new condition! More on Henry’s project next month.

And this just in from Mark Fodor...

“My adventure on Yokohama 008 snow tires:

“October 29th, mid-afternoon, driving my Clubman Estate wagon home for winter storage. The ride normally takes less than five minutes to go just under two miles, uphill both ways. Well, it was snowing, and it took a little more than 25 minutes with no heat or wipers that worked well and no brake lights.

“Halfway there, slipping and sliding — there is no turning back now. A half-block away now — home is in sight. Just have to make it through the double esses cruising at a cool 10 to 15 miles per hour. Set myself up for the apex — make it through the first three. The Yokohama 008s are sliding real good now — just can’t make the fourth turn. Yanked the emergency brake — got her sideways, lined right up for the straight hill going up, but still sliding sideways.

“BAM! Kiss the curb, bouncing off, still going — now making the turn into the driveway. No brakes, great! Thank the Queen the emergency brake still works, even with rusted-out backing plates. Amen.”

This is just another reminder for the upcoming Annual NEMO Meeting and Potluck Luncheon. Join us for the festivities on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Arrive at 12 noon and bring a dish for the lunch table. The eating starts at 1 p.m. and the meeting at 2.

We’ll hold the usual Giveaway Freebie Raffle so if you have any Mini-related items you’d like to donate, bring them along.

This will take place at our house (Faith and Bruce’s), 5 Old Nasonville Rd., Harrisville, RI 02830-1905, (401) 766-6519 or nemo@auroratechedi.com. Directions will go out to the Google Group e-mail list and are as follows.

From the Providence area: Take Rt. 146 North. Take the Rt. 5/102 Slatersville exit off 146. Turn right off the exit ramp and take a left (almost immediately) at the stop light (a “T”). You are now on Rt. 146A. Follow the directions from Rt. 146A below.

From the Boston area: Take Rt. 95 South to Rt. 295 South to Rt. 146 North. Take the Rt. 5/102 Slatersville exit off 146. Turn right off the exit ramp and take a left (almost immediately) at the stop light (a “T”). You are now on Rt. 146A. Follow the directions from Rt. 146A below.

From the Worcester area: Take Rt. 146 South to the Rt. 5/102/146A Slatersville exit. Turn right off the exit ramp. You are now on Rt. 146A. Follow the directions from Rt. 146A below.

From Connecticut and southern Rhode Island: Take Rt. 95 North to Rt. 295 North (in Rhode Island) to Rt. 146 North. From 146, take the Rt. 5/102 Slatersville exit. Turn right off the exit ramp and take a left at the stop light. You are now on Rt. 146A. Follow the directions from Rt. 146A below. (See below for an alternate route.)

From Rt. 146A where you’ve all converged: Follow Rt. 146A through Forestdale. You will go through three traffic lights (one in Forestdale, one at the Slatersville Plaza, one at Gator’s Pub). At Slatersville Plaza, intersect with Rt. 102 by going straight. After Gator’s, “The Island” will appear on your left and you will see a sign on your right for Wright’s Farm. Slow down and get ready for a left turn at Inman Road (at the traffic light). Take that left, and then take another left immediately after that (onto Old Nasonville Road), and an immediate right into our driveway.

You will see the number 5 on our mailbox and, if it's a nice day, our red-and-white classic Mini in the driveway. Call us at (401) 766-6519 if you get lost. Be sure to identify yourself in case the answering machine picks up before we reach the phone.

PEABODY, MA — Sunday, November 13th, was a perfect sunny and warm day in Peabody. And it was also the day that MINI of Peabody (MOP) held its 2nd Annual Rally for Hrach, to remember “Mr. Mini” Hrach Chekijian, star MINI salesperson for MOP and our NEMO President, who passed away suddenly in October of 2010. To the staff and customers of MOP, Hrach was larger than life itself, and of course to fellow NEMO members Hrach is still the center of the Mini universe.

Over 100 MINIs and just one classic Mini arrived at 8 a.m. at MOP’s back lot and lined up for the start of the one-hour rally. In the half hour wait, a crowd gathered around Barbara Newman’s classic “British Open” Mini as it was admired by all, many who said they had a classic Mini at home or a Moke or two!

At 8:30 sharp the Rally began, taking us all over some of the best roads north of the Peabody area and then back to the dealership garages for an amazing hot breakfast of eggs, meats, veggies, muffins and more, along with coffee, juices and teas. Barbara had no problem keeping up in the classic Mini and I was driving Barbara’s brand new 2012 MINI Cooper S, Chili Red and a blast to drive!

After breakfast the MOP staff told stories about Hrach and invited others to tell their stories. I told the story about when we first met Hrach, at Mini Meet East 1998 in Seekonk, MA, put on by NEMO. During the storytelling we met one of Hrach’s sisters and many MINI owners who have known Hrach since way before he worked at MOP, including one couple who had known him since 1975, having met him while driving their Moke around Boston.

The whole affair was coordinated and run by the Motoring Advisors and Molly Waugh of MOP. We hope that more NEMO members will make an effort to attend the next year’s event as their stories of Hrach will serve to keep the memory of the greatest Mini guy we have known alive in all of our hearts and minds.

It is certainly tearful to think of poor Hrach being taken from us at a very young 61 years of age, but it is through events such as these that we can pass along his infectious love of the Mini and the MINI and for all of us, his friends. When you really get down to what Hrach was really all about, he loved all of us as much as we did him. Thank you to everyone at MINI of Peabody for having such a wonderful event to remember and honor him.

The NEMO Holiday Party will be held at J.D. Cooper’s in Putnam, CT, on Saturday, December 17th, at 12 noon. For you folks with a GPS, the address is J.D. Cooper’s, 146 Park Road, Putnam, CT 06260, (860) 928-0501. Take Exit 95 (Kennedy Drive) off I-395. Kennedy Drive becomes Park Road. J.D. Cooper’s is about a mile from the exit.

We need a head count so RSVP by e-mailing nemo@auroratechedi.com or calling Faith at (401) 766-6519 ASAP. Let me know how many are attending (and ages of any kids).

The cost for the buffet is $22.45 per person, which includes tax and tip. The club will subsidize $10.45 for members, so the member cost is only $12. Kids under 12 are half price and under 3 are free.

The buffet will include Chicken Marsala and Pasta Primavera (vegetarian), tossed garden salad, vegetable medley, rolls and butter, and coffee and tea as well as lemon cream cake for dessert.

We will be holding a Yankee Swap so plan to bring a wrapped gift (try to keep the cost below $25). A Yankee Swap means that someone else may “take” your gift when it is their turn to pick. (Warn your kids so they don’t get upset if this happens!) You get to pick a gift for every gift you bring (please, no more than one per person or the Swap will never end).

Our Holiday Party is one of our more popular events every year and this central location in Connecticut should be convenient for the majority of our members. Hope to see you there!

Okay, so it’s been a while since you’ve heard anything about rumblings at The Barn. Seems most of the Minis behaved this year, so there were very few repairs required. And this columnist cannot dream up fantasy stuff at will, so instead of making up stories about hypochondriacal NEMO members, I wait for the stories to come here.

And came they did. Bruce was first with a brake issue. He called to report no brakes at all and was about to head out to get an inspection sticker! Please, if you think you have a brake issue, get it resolved before you really need to use them. We’ve been lucky as a club in the accident department (one rear-ended, totaled; one deer strike, ouch). The roads are dangerous enough without us adding to the melée!

Anyway, Bruce’s condition was soon diagnosed as leaky rear brake cylinders. The fix was replacement cylinders and shoes. I used to think it was cheaper, and just as good, to rebuild the old cylinders, but have changed my mind over the years. When doing the rear brakes, it’s imperative that you get the adjuster loosened up. This can be a bit of a bugger and may require removal of the backing plate so you can get after it with a torch (been there!). Fortunately, Bruce’s adjusters were operational, so the job was pretty straightforward. Even bleeding was a breeze!

On his way home from British Legends Weekend, Greg’s “S” blew a universal joint. At 65mph on Route 495, no less. You’ll have to ask him what it sounded like — words just can’t describe it! At first, Greg wanted to simply replace the universals, but soon decided to upgrade to a pot-joint output. Of course, converting to pot joints requires changing the output shafts and that requires removal of the differential, and with a remote-type shift, the engine has to come out. In the time it took you to figure out that sentence, Greg and I had the lump out on the floor (it’s always a pleasure to work with someone who knows the next step and can anticipate both tool needs and where the extra hands are needed!)

As Greg had recently changed the oil, he didn’t want to drain the crank, so we simply used the engine jack to tilt the engine forward far enough to keep the oil away from the diff cover. Pot joints were sourced from Alan Harvie (Alan bought the lump from Curtis’ Mini), and Curtis’ axles were used to complete the conversion. Reassembly was the reverse of disassembly and soon Greg was back from a successful test drive and on his way home.

Join us on Sunday, February 12, 2012, for NEMO’s Annual Meeting and Potluck Luncheon. Arrive at 12 noon and bring a dish for the lunch table. The eating starts at 1 p.m. and the meeting at 2. We’ll hold the usual Giveaway Freebie Raffle so if you have any Mini-related items you’d like to donate, bring them along.

This will take place at Faith and Bruce’s, 5 Old Nasonville Rd., Harrisville, RI, (401) 766-6519 or nemo@auroratechedi.com. Directions will go out to the Google Group e-mail list and will be put on the website.