Thursday July 17 was a beautiful summer day, temperature in the mid 70's, and just a few wispy white clouds in the sky. We left the house around 7 AM and headed to the Gilmore Auto Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. We took the scenic back roads rather then the interstate, why not, it was a beautiful day? 
In just under three hours we pulled into the parking lot at Gilmore. There had been many changes to the museum since our last visit including a new Visitors Center and Library. I had some business in the Library with Dick B. and after I asked if we could get on the grounds to get some pictures of our Mini Mark.
Dick made a phone call and when the call was concluded advised we could get the pictures, however Hemming's Motor News was also on the grounds that day and doing a photo shoot for an upcoming issue. We drove onto the grounds and found their crew taking pictures at the filling station. There was an immaculate blue Tucker, (number 47 of 51 produced) getting pictures. I talked with the museum helper with the crew and was told that they would be shooting for a while, but I could get a few shots as they changed locations on the grounds. We then drove over to the Diner and started taking pictures there, (yet keeping an eye on the service station).
Around twenty minutes later the crew packed up and moved to another location on the grounds. This left the Service Station open with the Tucker still there. We quickly moved in and started shooting the Mini Mark, in the company of the Tucker. It was rather ironic, I had wanted pictures of just the Mini Mark, but I could never have arranged a photo shoot with the Tucker. 
For around the next half hour I took photos from every possible angle. Then a driver came and took the Tucker away. This gave me the opportunity now to do some solo shots in the same spot. I spent the next 45 minutes getting solo shots at the station, in front of a barn they have on the museum campus and the Ford museum.
It was funny, all the while we were there waiting and taking pictures, people seemed as inquisitive of the Mini Mark as they did the Tucker and other classics there, stopping and asking questions, wanting to find out more about it. Not one person I talked with had ever heard of the Mini Mark. After taking all the pictures we toured the museum and then headed back home. The ride back was just as pleasant, and the weather just as enjoyable. Made one or two stops along the way (we found a Sinclair Museum in Cassopolis, Michigan) taking a few more pictures and then finally back in the garage. The Mini Mark did over 300 miles round trip and performed wonderfully. If you are ever up around Gilmore it is worth a visit, and keep an eye on Hemming's for their shots without a Mini Mark!
