MY CAR: A Mr Bean dream
PHUKET: “This car is my teenage dream,” Sareepab ‘Pai’ Meekaewnoi said when asked why he chose his Rover Mini 1994 over a newer model.
Friday 5 August 2011, 08:44AM
“I have always loved this car since I saw it on the television show Mr Bean.”
Pai, the Managing Director of Phuket Best Group, found his car online in 2008.
“I knew I had to have it,” he said. He paid B500,000 for it.
He kept its original 1300cc engine and the original Rover Mini style. His car even comes with a Mr Bean bear lookalike.
“It’s a classic car and I intend to keep it that way.”
The 1994 Mini two-door hatchback comes with 1.3 litre, 53hp direct-coil engine, single-point injection that produces a maximum speed of 143kmh.
“It is a great thing to have achieved one of my many dreams – to have this car. It runs great. I drive it to and from Bangkok many times. It can run 90-120kmh and never have any problems.
“This car is a collector’s item, meaning, if I want to sell it now, it will still be at the same price I paid three years ago. But I will never sell it,” he smiled.
– Kazira Hanshanasattru
