The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
Issue link: http://mc2.epubxp.com/i/33538
Chuck Heleker The Oxford triple sets, from the UK, often come with a Morris vehicle included as a part of the set. As is the case for many collectors of Mini memorabilia, our own Chuck Heleker, MC2’s Vintage Editor, got into Minis relatively early. Chuck’s ride down the Mini highway began some 42 years ago when a friend took him for a ride in a 1963 Mini powered by and MG 1100 engine. That experience captivated Chuck so completely that he later purchased the car from his buddy and his life-long passion began, as did his collection of classic Minis and Mini memorabilia. Although he once worked in the corporate world, these days Chuck makes a living working out of his home by writing about and working on the classic Issigonis creations. He currently thinks he has about 10 Minis stuffed into the recesses of his basement garage. “At least, I think it’s down to 10,” says Chuck. “They breed when I am not looking.” Among his current collection of cars is a 1966 Moke, 1963 1071 Austin Cooper S (both owned since 1973), 1968 Mk II Cooper S Liverpool Police Car, a 1962 Riley Elf Mk I, 1964 Riley Elf Mk II, 1967 Riley Elf Mk III, 1965 Wolseley “Heinz” Hornet (one of 57 converted by H.J. Heinze, Ltd in 1965 for a contest giveway), a 1968 South African- built Wolseley 1000 (one of only 300 made) and Chuck’s daily driver, a green 1975 Clubman Estate (This car drove up Pike’s Peak!). While Chuck started collecting real cars before he got into models, his model collection far outstrips his fleet of driveable Minis. He has over 1,000 models of mostly classic Minis that he’s collected over the years. His first model was a Corgi brand model of a Mini Cooper S and the collection covers the full range of model years for Mini, from 1959 right up to and including the 2001 new MINI. “I’m interested in the vintage Minis, not the new ones,” says Chuck, “but I do have a few models from when the new MINI was first introduced.” With the basement garage stuffed full of real Minis, tools and parts, there isn’t much room for collectibles. After all, this garage is a working business, for Chuck. Consequently, most of the toys, models, and Mini bric-a-brac are packed away out of sight in boxes and stored in the attic. A few of Chuck’s favorite pieces grace a knick-knack cabinet in the living room and there are a few models on display in his office. The real bulk of the memorabilia collection is an incredible array of Mini books, repair manuals, owner manuals, factory publications, and brochures, of which Chuck has hundreds. During the time MC2 was at his house, we photographed only the tiniest portion of the collection – just enough to give you a small idea of what is hidden away in closets and his office. Those books and manuals, by the way, while well cared for, are not given the white glove treatment. Chuck uses them daily as research for his articles, as well as a shop reference for the cars he repairs down stairs. Asked why he continues to collect memorabilia, when he’s limited on display space, Chuck just smiles and says, “It’s really an addiction, but one with benefits. At least items like Driver’s Handbooks, factory workshop manuals, and factory parts books and microfiche have practical value in helping to keep the cars on the road. And there is certainly a monetary value to most of the memorabilia. It’s all part of my retirement fund!” 26 www.mc2magazine.com He has dozens of Driver’s Handbooks from 1959 to 1999, including those for Minis built overseas. These Cararame models, also from the UK are exceptionally detailed and come in a plastic display case with diorama background. A small sampling of the hundreds of Mini books and manuals in Chuck’s RIÀFH