Mike Bell.

[Cliff Ryan]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I don't believe that I have seen mention of Mike's cherished transporter and rig. What happened to it?

Mike sold it back to Hopkins.

[Lancsbreaker]

Just catching up with this thread again, I'm delighted that at least one of the cars has been kept "in the family", so to speak......There were some good battles for some of the cars and I feel sure most, if not all, will have been bought by people with the right intentions, rather than just someone trying to make a quick buck.



I had registered just in case anything came in within budget but pretty much the only thing that was was the Ducati - which since I don't have a bike licence would have been a bit pointless. As an ex-Porsche 944 driver and racer I was tempted by the 968 which could maybe have been on if I divested myself of a few other things, but in the end my sensible head stayed on.......... I must have a word with myself!


I'll add my congratulations to all who put the effort into getting the best results in Mike's memory.

[Terry Scannell]

What a superb auction result overall and a fantastic testament to Mike that so many people really appreciated the quality of his cars and indeed the man himself. It is great to see that the cars have all gone to new owners who will ensure that the history of the vehicles is maintained and that they will be used in the manner to which Mike would wish them to be.

Being based myself in Mike’s home area of North Walsham, Norfolk, hopefully the Lairy Canary will stay in that fantastic colour scheme of our beloved Norwich City.

Not nowadays being a regular myself on the forum as in past years, mostly due to constraints of time, I must say that I will certainly miss seeing Mike’s happy face around the various paddocks and his superb driving skills on the track.

In my role as CoC for the HSCC Snetterton meetings Mike very kindly assisted me for many years being our Safety Car driver for the Autosport 3 hr meetings. This was a role that he always enjoyed doing at his local circuit whenever his racing commitments would allow and I never had any concerns when we had to scramble the SC at short notice as I would only get to say scra……over the radio and there would be two black lines exiting the pitlane and that wonderful grin on Mike’s face! He was always both a true gentleman and a total enthusiast who was always so willing to help anyone in such a positive manner.

Well done also to those involved with the calendar… dear wife ordered one for me yesterday and look forward to receiving it whenever convenient and it will be in pride of place in my office to remind me of Mike throughout the year.

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

Just catching up with this thread again, I'm delighted that at least one of the cars has been kept "in the family", so to speak......There were some good battles for some of the cars and I feel sure most, if not all, will have been bought by people with the right intentions, rather than just someone trying to make a quick buck.

I had registered just in case anything came in within budget but pretty much the only thing that was was the Ducati - which since I don't have a bike licence would have been a bit pointless. As an ex-Porsche 944 driver and racer I was tempted by the 968 which could maybe have been on if I divested myself of a few other things, but in the end my sensible head stayed on.......... I must have a word with myself!

I'll add my congratulations to all who put the effort into getting the best results in Mike's memory.

I thought for under 10k the 968 was a bargain. The Gilbern was less than we budgeted for, and I was very tempted to go for the 968 with the change but my wife was looking over my shoulder at the time and survival mode kicked in....

[andy97]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

I thought for under 10k the 968 was a bargain. The Gilbern was less than we budgeted for, and I was very tempted to go for the 968 with the change but my wife was looking over my shoulder at the time and survival mode kicked in....

Agree that the 968 was a bargain; I was tempted but the divorce would have cost me more.

[Gerard C]

Who's the Boss?

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Who's the Boss?

You’re married Gerard aren’t you? What do you think?!

[Gerard C]

Yes I re-discovered that Andy, a side effect of the confinement I presume! And since I asked for my pension, her money earnings are bigger than mine. I've better keep cool… Une soupe, un suppositoire, une claque sur les fesses et au dodo!

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by andy97

Agree that the 968 was a bargain; I was tempted but the divorce would have cost me more.

we should have gone halves on it - and both told them it belonged to the other ;-)

[andy97]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

we should have gone halves on it - and both told them it belonged to the other ;-)

Me and 4 mates rent some storage for our cars between us and all our wives think we do that already

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Cliff Ryan

Mike sold it back to Hopkins.

Thanks for all the updates, Cliff. And well done on your part in settling Mike's estate.

I sincerely hope that the family were satisfied (probably not the appropriate word to use) with the way that the sale went on Saturday. And good luck to Mary with her ARDS and Gilbert; I look forward to reading about her exploits in the near future.

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by andy97

Me and 4 mates rent some storage for our cars between us and all our wives think we do that already

When I ran my scrapyard one of my Alfa customers was Steve Berry (ex-Top Gear) who bought a few cars off me, as well as parts. Apparently he had two mates both called "Steve" who were also petrolheads, and whenever marital questions were asked about new automotive acquisitions the response (from any of them!) was regularly " Oh it's Steve's, I'm just checking out a few issues for him"........

[Robyn Slater]

My calendar dropped through the door over the weekend.

A superb tribute to a much loved and valued Gentleman.

[Tim Falce]

Still not got mine yet

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Still not got mine yet

That's a worry Tim, I'll check it out.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by bauble

That's a worry Tim, I'll check it out.

I'll give it a few more days, the post can be pretty dire round here

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

I'll give it a few more days, the post can be pretty dire round here

Tim, a calendar was posted out on the 9th., so should be there soon.

Cheers,

Bob

[Tim Falce]

Yes, I've got an email saying "being posted" on the 8th so that's probably the one.
Many thanks for checking

[MGDavid]

My 2 have arrived :-) - fantastic job Bob, one for the study and one for the workshop. My dilemma is whether to leave them permanently open at April (which I've raced) or June (which I intend to next year). Spoiled for choice, me. Either way they are a fitting reminder of good times with Mike.

[midgetman]

Pride of place here at Midgetman Mansions

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[John Elwin]

My calendar has now arrived this morning, and it is superb!

Congratulations to Bob, Matti Rogers &n all the photographers.

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

I'm proud to announce that I'm the successful bidder for the Gilbern :-)
It's a joint venture with Iain and Mike's sister Mary and her partner also Dave.
We hope to be exercising it in the New Year, and Mary wants to do her ARDS test. We're really pleased that the family connection is continued... and Mike would be chuffed too.

Great job; well done.

Since I'm here, am I allowed to say that I still haven't received my (3) calendars, yet. However, with a surname beginning with 'T' I'm used to being at the bottom of the list …… or maybe there is another reason for that

[andy97]

Originally Posted by John Turner

Great job; well done.

Since I'm here, am I allowed to say that I still haven't received my (3) calendars, yet. However, with a surname beginning with 'T' I'm used to being at the bottom of the list …… or maybe there is another reason for that

My surname begins with a Y and I received mine 2 days ago. I just think it depends on the vagaries of your local and regional sorting office to be honest.

[delta]

I’m still waiting

[bauble]

i have sent an e,mail to CCA thanking them for their handling of the sale, and the sympathetic presentation of the cars, properly giving Mike full credit for the standard of the vehicles. I also provided a link to the calendar site on E Bay, which they are sending on to the purchasers, so if anyone did buy one of the cars, I hope they will also buy a calendar ()

Bauble.