Fundamentally, it is an emotion
it a matter of the heart.
Every man chooses his dog,
his car and more in life with his heart.
What matter is how it makes you feel.
It provokes you to do things, dares you to take action
it provokes you to go on various adventures
while driving it.
When you embark on a journey that is 3500km one way
and you know it will take 3 days
with no A/C and no power-steering
it becomes something very special.
It's a source of positive energy
it's like a endless source of positivity.
It is a breath of fresh air
it has it's own identity.
It's like a family member that dares you
to go on an adventure together.
One man and one car
My name is Sergiu Topala
and today we are driving a Rover Mini Cooper
made in 1994
with a 1,3L single-point injected gasoline engine.
They were hard times, truly hard.
We used to share an Opel Astra
with our co-workers.
18 years ago when we started working
in the automotive business
we would import cars and parts from the UK.
We would retrofit right-hand driven cars for our roads.
And over the years we gained a lot of expertise.
Plus, the British guy we used to work with
would scout continental Europe for Minis
change them to right-hand driven
and sell them back in the UK.
So, when I bought the car
I made sure it was left-hand driven from the factory.
Because otherwise there was always going to be a mark
that the car had been tampered with.
When they first designed this car
the goal was to make it accessible to everybody
and make it cheaply.
But, with time the car has evolved,
the engines made after 1990
are more adapted for the open road
for long distances.
And that was the idea
I didn't buy this car for a collection
I got it to drive it.
I wanted to be able to get in,
turn the key and go wherever I feel like.
Hungary was our first trip.
Afterwards, we went to Italy,
Czech Republic,
the UK
3500 km there and 3500km back.
With our share of mishaps along the way
It was fun, a beautiful experience.
Pleasant adventures
grand adventures.
I have never seen 2 to 4 thousands cars,
come together in one place.
In Europe it is quite established
there are 3, 4, or 5 clubs in one country.
With 200 to 300 cars each.
Compared to Moldova
that is why the joke is:
"here comes the club from Moldova"
"and it is fully represented"
"by?"
"By one man and one car".
Considering the fact that
I am the only member from Moldova
when we all come together
it feels like a family reunion.
We share the same passion
just like a real family.
And just like the car
the people are simple.
This car will make you believe
that everything will be fine in your life,
it keep you optimistic.
Just like my dog
if he is by my side
I know everything is going to be just fine.
As long as you are up to it
you go on a new adventure
it dares you and you go.
Life is short
the time is now.