The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
Issue link: http://mc2.epubxp.com/i/33538
Andy Vanko background details found in the history books and magazine articles.. Andy’s current daily driver is a 2006 MINI Cooper and he has a classic project Mini that is being transformed with a Mini Jem Mk 2 body shell. While Andy started out collecting memorabilia on what is now considered a vintage car, when the new MINI was introduced, he started collecting that, also. “When the new MINI came out didn’t think I’d ever have one, but I decided to start collecting those items as it would be easier to get them at first rather than looking for out of production items later,” says Andy. For those just starting out in collecting, Andy recommends buying the usual HotWheels and Matchbox toys to start, as they are inexpensive. Sales literature, he says is also an economical thing to collect, since it is available for free at car dealers and autoshows, but grows in value years later. DeKalb, Illinois, resident, Andy Vanko is another collector who might be classed as an obsessive compulsive. He doesn’t just have a collection; he has a private museum filled with Mini collectibles – everything from autographed models to Matchbox toys and from special license plates to cookie jars, plus a number of dioramas. Some of his collection is even displayed in a glass dealer cabinet donated by Andrew Zolper the sales manager at Patrick MINI in Schaumburg, Illinois when they redecorated their showroom. When the local dealer is making donations to the cause, you know you’ve established yourself as a serious collector of memorabilia! Although most the toys, models and bric-a-brac are displayed in Andy’s museum, which is housed in an unused bedroom at his house, out in the garage is a mini- Mini dealer service center replete with workbench and tool board. A few years ago, the local British Leyland dealer decided to clean house and Andy purchased all the factory parts and service manuals from him, and later bought many of the tools used at the dealership, so working on his Mini JEM Mk II is a lot easier. According to Andy, he started collecting Mini models and toys back in 1968, after graduating high school. “My Dad took me to Chicago to buy clothes for college,” says Andy. “When we got to The Loop he gave me some cash and told me where to meet him in a few hours. I went to Marshall Field’s toy department first and found a 1/43rd scale Mini. Thinking I’d never own a real Mini I bought it. Next I went to Carson’s toy department where I found a different 1/43rd scale Mini. Thinking I’d never own two real Minis I bought it, too. Later I bought clothes too but I didn’t stop looking for Mini items. Three years later I bought my first full sized Mini.” That first Mini, a 997 Cooper, was purchased in 1971 and Andy tells how years later, he purchased some old magazine and this car was in one. “My Cooper was originally advertised in Autoweek Magazine and in the early 90’s I was shopping at a resale shop for old car magazines and the he owner told me he had decided to quit selling old car magazines and offered me everything in his storage area. I drove home in a Dodge Omni that was riding on the bump stops because it had 890 magazines and Autoweeks inside! In one of those old Autoweeks was the classified ad for the very Mini I had bought.” According to Andy, there are currently over 1,000 miniatures in his collection, but he can’t tell you exactly how many as he is continually adding to the collection and he hasn’t done an actual inventory in a few years. Well, I suppose counting miniature Minis takes longer than collecting them! Apart from the fact the he loves everything Mini, Andy says he collects the models, toys and literature because he enjoys learning the Three models, all autograhed by the original driver and an autographed 40th anniversary sign make an impressive display, indeed. Included in the collection are a number of hand-made and perfectly detailed Mini dioramas. A small corner of the museum where there on display are over 1,000 models, toys and collectible display pieces, many of which are autographed. Issue 30 MC2 Magazine 27