November's America of the Month is owned by famed San Francisco Bay Area artist, Michael Krouse. I first discovered Michael's car a few years ago when he had it posted for sale on the Mini Mania website. Michael was in the same position we've all been in before ... life interfering with our America ownership ... and needed to sell the car. We exchanged emails and Michael was kind enough to share some photos of the car. As it turns out, Michael's car was the star of a "Nextel" TV commercial, where it was dressed up as a Taxi and filmed in San Francisco's famous "China Town" District. Fortunately, Michael was able to keep his America and continues to enjoy it.
Michael and I have stayed in touch over the last couple of years and in September we met for the first time when we attended the big Palo Alto British Car Meet together. Michael's car is really in fantastic condition. It's all original and the Damask Red paint is fantastic against all the chrome stainless trim. Oh, and did I forget to mention, it's an Automatic!
"In 1995 I was living in Paris, France. I had spent the three years prior
living in San Francisco and in 1994 I was driving a big Dodge Van, that was
a bitch to park. Well, one morning, I awoke and my van was gone. Stolen by
some Hoodlums. The cops figured that the van was probably just stolen for a
crime and would show up later thrashed. But, luckily it never showed up and
I settled with my insurance company for about $6000. This was the money I
was going to use to buy a new car when I returned from Paris.
While I was in Paris, it was the first time I noticed the Mini Cooper, and I
thought this would be the perfect car for living in a city like San
Francisco. So when I returned home I started looking for a mini. I have a
friend of mine who owns a car dealership in town and he called me one day to
inform me about this car he had seen that he thought would be just what I
was looking for.
The car was a 1969 Maroon Austin America with only 10,400 miles on the car.
It was bought at Sweeney Motors in Marin County in 1969 by Mr.. Edwin
Tillison who was in his late 60's at the time and he barely drove the car.
In 1979 with 10,000 miles he stopped driving and the car just sat for 15
years before his family decided to sell the car on consignment at a classic
car dealership in SF.
From the moment I first saw the car I thought to myself, HOW COOL, And I
bought it on the spot with the money I had left over from my insurance
settlement $3,900. The first thing I did was change just the rubber that
was old and rotting, it wasn't much. New tires, fix the exhaust, and fix the
gas tank which was leaking. Other than that the car has run great, with
minor repairs along the way. from 1995 to 1999 I used it as my everyday car,
until I bought another van in 1999 to use around the city. Since that time I
put another 15,000 miles on it and currently the odometer sits at 25,300
miles. I try to take good care of the car but sometimes it's difficult in
city where garages rent for $400 a month, and other drivers are morons.
Anyhow she's been a great car and I still drive her regularly, and when I
do, I get more looks than anyone can imagine..." |
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Michael, thanks for sharing your pictures and story! I'm really glad you've been able to keep the car and take such good care of it. Congratulations on being the owner of the November Austin America. |
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