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Apr 20, 2021 15:23:59 GMT
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I have a little bit of spare time on my hands following a minor operation, and as I cannot currently work on the car, I thought I would show you my collection of random Manroom acquisitions from over the years which are nailed or screwed to the walls, rafters etc. When I was doing my A levels and before I could drive (an eternity or 30 years ago...), a mate of mine gave me 3 number plates from his old cars and another friend randomly gave me a US plate from Virginia. These went up in my room. Since then I have acquired numerous other UK number plates from my own cars and some acquired from various friends. 2 of them came with some rather nice surrounds. Now, I didn't have a need for these so I offered them to grizz of this parish. He kindly sent me some US plates in exchange, which sparked off an idea - I have decided to collect one plate from each US state. I am currently on 13/50 and am slowly working my way through the rest at a rate of about a couple a month. They aren't expensive to buy, and one day I may find a job lot somewhere which may help. No rush! I have also collected various bits of Mini-related regalia (mostly donated by my good friend Richard) as well as various signs and a couple of photos. I will constantly add to these over time! UK Number Plates and a couple of Swiss ones in the corner). Those at a jaunty angle belong to Zippy the Midas.  A few more...  The first of many USA Plates up in the rafters - my favourite is the Alabama National Guard one.  And a few more...  A couple of Dealer Advertising Plates courtesy of grizz on the Power Tools cabinet along with a Spark Plug advert  Mr Noisy, because the Angle Grinder lives in here...  My old Mini Run plaque from 1995 - my first ever car-related run  Numerous Mini-based piccies from Richard    A funky clock from Shaun  A Mini Fan which was amongst my random parts which I will never use.  And the garage is watched over by the lovely Hayley Atwell from Captain America fame who I actually met (she's actually EXTREMELY lovely!)...  ...as well as the gorgeous Tara Buckman from The Cannonball Run - I haven't met her, but I bet she doesn't look like that now!!   And finally, a reproduction Railway "Way Out" sign. I just liked the look of it. It's a repro because Railway enthusiasts make the real ones VERY expensive!  I am certain that I have a few other bits stashed away as well as a couple of additional ideas so I am likely to add to this thread regularly. Plus the US plates will go up in number... |
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Last Edit: Apr 20, 2021 15:35:46 GMT by mrbounce
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Apr 20, 2021 15:48:12 GMT
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Liking that lot, a lot.
If you head this way there may be some more random shi77
Including a first come, first served, Mini boot lid.
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Apr 20, 2021 20:06:50 GMT
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Liking that lot, a lot. If you head this way there may be some more random shi77 Including a first come, first served, Mini boot lid. When we can I feel I may have to have a road trip. Just for the hell of it you understand  |
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Apr 20, 2021 22:46:25 GMT
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I have one American plate which is from Florida. I have a Thai plate from a Tuk Tuk which came with an anodised surround. I also have a car run plaque from when I competed in the Macmillan 4x4 challenge quite a few years ago. Great collection you have there. I like to refer to mine as Mantiques.  The huge white diesel services sign, I found at a local boot sale in Leigh on Sea. I asked the guy how much expecting it to be astonomical due to it's size, he said £20. I couldn't get the money out of my pocket fast enough! |
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Apr 21, 2021 17:43:31 GMT
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I have one American plate which is from Florida. I have a Thai plate from a Tuk Tuk which came with an anodised surround. I also have a car run plaque from when I competed in the Macmillan 4x4 challenge quite a few years ago. Great collection you have there. I like to refer to mine as Mantiques. The huge white diesel services sign, I found at a local boot sale in Leigh on Sea. I asked the guy how much expecting it to be astonomical due to it's size, he said £20. I couldn't get the money out of my pocket fast enough! Looks great. Time you came over as well. Must be some mantiques here over here for you too. |
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Apr 23, 2021 16:12:41 GMT
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You’re quite right mrbounce. Tara Buckman looks like this  |
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Apr 24, 2021 11:58:03 GMT
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I have one American plate which is from Florida. I have a Thai plate from a Tuk Tuk which came with an anodised surround. I also have a car run plaque from when I competed in the Macmillan 4x4 challenge quite a few years ago. Great collection you have there. I like to refer to mine as Mantiques. The huge white diesel services sign, I found at a local boot sale in Leigh on Sea. I asked the guy how much expecting it to be astonomical due to it's size, he said £20. I couldn't get the money out of my pocket fast enough! Looks great. Time you came over as well. Must be some mantiques here over here for you too. I may take you up on that kind offer. I can probably see Grizz Towers from across the water where I work. |
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Apr 24, 2021 12:15:29 GMT
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Looks great. Time you came over as well. Must be some mantiques here over here for you too. I may take you up on that kind offer. I can probably see Grizz Towers from across the water where I work. Door is open, kettle on. |
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Apr 25, 2021 16:10:20 GMT
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Because I loved Cannonball Run as a child (and still do) plus Miss Buckman (in her younger days, anyway) was a serious crush, it was only fitting that I did this:  |
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Apr 26, 2021 12:26:08 GMT
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Excellent idea,
I've quite a few plates from some of my old cars,
May have to start "decorating" my garage / workshop (shed) when I move / build it,
Nigel
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BMW E39 525i Sport
BMW E46 320d Sport Touring (now sold on.)
BMW E30 325 Touring (now sold on.)
BMW E30 320 Cabriolet (Project car - currently for sale.)
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Apr 27, 2021 16:08:55 GMT
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Many many moons ago, I was due to go to university. I went out drinking with a good friend and when I came back I had acquired a "Danger of Death - Keep Out" sign. I thought I still had this, but it was not in the place where I thought it was and I fear that I have left it in the garage at my previous abode. I wanted another one - however I am significantly more sensible than I was in the early 90s, and am aware that CCTV covers just about EVERYWHERE. Plus, I am no longer a student, so high-jinks these days involve a takeaway spicy curry or a whole weekend in the garage. So instead I headed to eBay and got one with slightly different wording that I actually prefer. I put it on the garage fridge, naturally. Tempted to put it in the back window when the Midas eventually goes to a car show...  |
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Last Edit: May 7, 2021 15:40:27 GMT by mrbounce
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I've been collecting a few more bits over the past couple of weeks. I've managed to get my hands on 3 more US plates at very reasonable prices. That's Montana, Mississippi and Florida all now ticked off the list. Plus I bought something a little bit silly. I've always wanted one, but never thought I would get one at a reasonable price; I did one of those "chuck a silly bid in on a Sunday night and see what happens" moments, and the following Tuesday I found out that I had unexpectedly won the auction for a flashing blue light. Or should I say bucket? It's quite big - about 9 -10 inches tall. I have tested it and it does work (I plugged it into the 12v socket in the SLK - on the drive!) but I am not going to set up an entire YouTube account to show it off - at least for now. I might figure out a way to permanently plug it into the mains. Shouldn't be too difficult, even for someone as hopeless with electrics as me... Mississippi Plate (Private / Light Goods?) - also "Don't Tell 'Em, Pike"...  Really like the design of this Montana plate, plus the fact there is obviously some history with it - of course I will never know the circumstances but I find it really interesting.  Love the patina on this Florida plate - it clearly has seen some miles and also a few years in a shed!  All 3 up with their companions.  And finally, my little bit of silly. Wiring and a switch will follow.  |
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Last Edit: May 7, 2021 22:33:46 GMT by mrbounce
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May 21, 2021 16:44:04 GMT
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You have unknowingly managed to gather some pretty cool American license plates.
National guard, DV etc are the route I went once I had enough regular plates.
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May 21, 2021 17:53:37 GMT
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You’re quite right mrbounce. Tara Buckman looks like this still would |
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May 30, 2021 21:36:59 GMT
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I was going through my list of US States and thought something didn't quite look right. Yup, 49 states. I don't know why, but for some strange reason I had left left poor Connecticut out. Sorry Connecticut. Thought I would get a Connecticut plate next, but couldn't find one I particularly liked. So some others are due for delivery next week instead. I managed to meet up with my brother for the first time in over a year last week. He has been rebuilding one of his sheds (he has 3) as it was in a bad state of disrepair. It's now looking much more usable apparently. I figured that he could do with some regalia for it. Suitable warning sign obtained from eBay:  |
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You have unknowingly managed to gather some pretty cool American license plates. National guard, DV etc are the route I went once I had enough regular plates. I figured that after a few of the "regulars" I would start investigating "others". So far I have a National Guard, Disabled Veteran, a Truck plate and a Dealer's Plate. Plenty more oddball ones to follow, no doubt such as RV, Judge's Plates and Diplomatic - they are out there. I think the more difficult (and therefore not quite so cheap) ones to get appear to be Rhode Island, Alaska and Hawaii. Anyway, here's the next 3 which arrived this week: Indiana - I got an older plate, simply because of its patina.  New York, again, because it looked like it's seen a bit of action.  And a rather dirty Nevada. It's not up in the rafters yet because I can't reach - there's a Midas in the way.  |
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You may find it becomes a bit of an obsession too.
But it is educational
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You may find it becomes a bit of an obsession too. But it is educational I cannot confirm or deny the purchase just now of another plate, for sentimental reasons. |
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And as per my last post, I saw a New Mexico plate and had to have it. My reason? It has my late Mum's initials on it. And that makes it a worthwhile addition in my eyes. When I was a boy, I collected key-rings and Mum always did her best to find obscure and random ones for the collection, so I felt a US plate with her initials on it would be a fun thing to have. A bit random, and not a key-ring, but I guess it's what I collect now, so in a way it's her personalised plate, even though she never drove. Here's to you Mumsie.   |
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Jul 27, 2021 16:15:13 GMT
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Sadly I have recently lost my Dad as well as Mum, so this has meant we've started to go through the house. There is a cupboard at the top of the stairs in their house that was affectionately known as "The Tardis" because it appeared to be bigger on the inside. I went through this the other day and among the random stuff I found (which included 2 separate halves of different Henry Hoovers which when put together worked perfectly), I came across a 1970s Council Workmen's lamp. It was in REALLY good nick and still has the burner in it. I have not had a close look to see if there's any paraffin in it but I doubt it! Quite why Dad had this I have no idea as he was nothing to do with the roadworking industry - I wonder if he "borrowed" it after a heavy night on the sauce? Still, it's so nice I have decided that it's going to be hung up in the rafters at some point. Thanks Dad   |
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