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More Carbon Fiber for GP1717

GP1717 got some more bling, the JCW Carbon fiber dash to match her sister GP0154.   I was able to get the kit on ebay for $340 delivered from a fellow in the Netherlands.   I was a little reluctant at first as it seemed too good of a deal considering Morristown MINI has it on sale for $875 but looked at his feedback and he has sold plenty of these kits.   They are original MINI parts in the original MINI box and all. 

New Rack and Horrible Service

Steering Rack that is.   Jayne dropped GP1717 off at Habberstad yesterday to have them take a look at the steering noise I noticed last week at MTTS in Boston.   Seems she needed a new steering rack though at only 11k miles is an extremely premature failure. 

Folks at Habberstad were able to take her on Thursday where Hassel’s earliest slot was July 11.   I was not crazy about returning to Habberstad after last months service resulting in a stained drivers seat but since I could not get Hassel to see her until next month and wanted to make it up to MinisOnTop and also to get Habbeststad to address the seat cover.  Needless to say they weren’t able to turn it around the same day and we didn’t make it to MinisOnTop.

When Jayne went to pick GP she called me all upset.  Seems they went above and beyond in taken extremely poor care of GP again as she found a scuff on the bumper, a screw on the drivers seat and foot prints on the passenger mat.  When she brought it to their attention they said it was there before and Jayne was not the only person raising complaints as it seems several other owners were complaining about dings and other things on their cars to the point that the RA just picked up and left for the day.  I’m just glad I wasn’t there.

Thank goodness we have the clear film on the bumper as that took most of the punishment.  The clown that worked on her must have dropped something on the engine bay onto the bumper.  Last month they returned GP with dirt on her drivers seat that stained the seat cover and Habberstad said they would replace the cover but failed to log it in the paperwork along with replacing the rusted wing screws. 

MINI is a premium brand car, understandable not to the level and cost of BMWs but I think that owners should expect a certain level professionalism and care from the dealer service!  My local mechanic ensures that he covers the seats and floor mats with protective covers.  Is it too much to ask that from MINI dealers to do the same?  Also, I didn’t realize bringing the car in for service gave them cart blanche to use the car for show and tell for everyone in the shop.

Looks like I’m stuck in NY this week so I’ll be personally going back to Habberstad this week to have a chat with them.  Hopefully I’ll be bailed out in time to make it to MinisMeetEast.

MTTS 2008 - Boston Day 2

We got the bears ready and headed to Pier 4 for the morning Rally up to Gloucester and back down to UMass.   The day was perfect and the backdrop was stunning.

Figuring probably between 250-275 cars were in attendance on the pier.

Then about 10am after a speech from Jim McDowell it was time for Rauno to wave the Green flag and commence on our journey north to Gloucester.

We encountered some interesting scenery along the way and GP detoured in front of the Salem Witch Museum for a quick picture

and we got back in queue in front of Steve Seward of MINI USA and his Clubman.  After a couple of wrong turns and thankful to Nuvi who got us back on track we made it to Gloucester where we stopped for some pictures with Gerry and Jayne in front of the fisherman and I could not resist getting some ice cream!

We met up with Ian at his home and left the girls to have some fun on their own while we headed for a great lunch and a wonderful personalized tour of Gloucester in Margaret’s convertible.

Then it was like the good ole days of MTTS 2006 with Ian and I rallying our way down to UMASS where we parked the girls next to each other and headed off to registration.  Seemed to be a good number of cars and people in attendance.

Ian was able to have Rauno autograph QQJ and Rauno took his personal camera out and ask someone take his picture with Ian and QQJ.  Rauno really is a wonderful man.

On our way to the autocross we ran into Jim and Gina of MINI USA. Jim showing off his new checkered flag tattoos.  The autocross was a blast, nice course and not a large queue that provided the opportunity to drive a car and get back in line for another car.  Ian took both Clubmans for a spin.

Want to have some fun?  Put on a velcro suite and see how high you can jump on a velcro wall.  The kids made it look to easy.

On display was the Classic, Challenge, JCW S and JCW Clubman.  I had thought the classic belonged to someone of MoM but perhaps not.  Will have to find out when I’m back in L.A who owns this little classic.  Think it would look good in my collection.

At the end of the day everyone gathered for the Fountains of Wayne concert.

and before heading out I got GP next to the new JCW Clubman for some photo’s and it was off to the room and got GP a spot with a night light.  Good night lil GP.

For all the Days Pictures   and be sure to check out Ian’s GBMINI site for additional great coverage.

MTTS 2008 - Boston Day 1

We got up early and headed out to Mahwah, NJ to meet up with the final leg of the MTTS Miami to Boston run.   Hit some traffic (what a suprise) and arrived about 15 minutes before they were getting ready to leave.  Enough time to take some photo’s, grab a quick snap and say hello to MINI friends.

At the start we had about 30 MINI’s in our rally group but soon after crossing the Tapan Zee Bridge we lost our original pace car but met up with Susan Madera of MINIUSA in her new Choco Clubman and followed her up to Boston.    During our pitstop ‘Goober’ had a chance to check out the Clubman.

 We made it up to Boston and checked into the Hotel prior to meeting up with Ian and friends for a bite before heading over to F1 Boston for the MINI Owner Meet and Greet Event.  Ian before meeting us stopped at F1 Boston who ran into someone returned Qauck-Quack-Jack back to Ian.   Last time we saw QQJ was when we handed him off last year at MINI United in Amsterdam.   Based on all his pins he’s been a pretty busy fella.

Walking into F1 Boston was the new JCW Clubman on display.

Met up with friends (Ian, Mike, Karen, Jayne and Pete) and watched a bit of racing.

For all the days pictures

JCW GP vs JCW Challenge @ MTTS 2008

Well here is a picture you won’t see in any magazine or advert.  Was able to convince the owner of this GP to pull up in front of the Challenge car for this picture before he was scooted away by security.    Damn the GP is one sharp looking car!

MTTS 2008 - Miami Day 2

Before heading over to Bicentennial Park for the kick off of the Rally to Homestead I took a morning drive to Miami Beach for a cafecito but made a few stops along the way for some photo ops.  Don’t ask how I got the MINI under the tree.  Good thing for run flats and the fact that it was a Rental!

Then it was off to Bicentennial Park where what looked like over 100 cars got together in preperation for the Rally.

Blue Bear met up with his old friend Nigel and they spent some time reminissing about good times and in attendance were a lot of the Sunshine MINI folks that we met last year at Mickey and MINI.

About 10am it was time for the Rally to Homestead where Rauno was the marshall waiving us on.   Miami-Dade Police escorted us through Miami and blocked cross streets which I’m sure made quite a few folks a little warm under the collar.  Glad I had a convertible as I was able to hop up on my seat and take shots when we came to stops.

The setup of MTTS 2008 is very similar to last years MINI United.  They had the go-karts, auto cross; climbing wall, bungee thingy, car wash and concert stage amongst other activities. 

They had a bike stunt show running throughout the day and some few folks were preselected for a photo shoot of up and coming MotoringGear and like MINI United they had a car wash but unlike the MINI United car wash this one had high school kids washing your car not long legged models.  Kids looked like they were having a good time.

After registering and getting the swag bags I headed for the autocross where I took the new Clubman S around the course and was pleasantly pleased with it.  Handles like a MINI but has a much more comfortable drive then your standard S.   Mine was finished in Chocolate with a nice chocolate fabric trimmed in ivory interior.  Perhaps the nicest fabric combination I’ve seen to date and much nice then the ordinary blah black.  I took a walk over to the go-karts and thought about it for a second but it was just too bloody hot to put on a balaclava and helmet on.

The new JCW Clubman was on display and got a chance to chat about it with Thomas of MINI USA. The new bigger Brembo brakes fill the wheel nicely as does the matching (bigger then stock) rear red calipers.  Took a peak underneath and the exhaust is not much to look at and no longer stainless steel or at least it doesn’t look like it is.  Looks like something out of the back of a Chevy honestly but forget the looks Thomas started it up and let me tell if you like throaty this one sounds more awesome then the older JCW Exhaust.   Blue bear found a spot to rest while I chatted.

Todd was at his booth selling his badges which he sold out in two hours and Rauno had a tent where attendees could talk to him about his racing history and get autographs.

No Florida event would be complete without the afternoon downpour and lightening storm though it move through relatively quickly.

I bought a new MINI a red one and limited edition #22 of 50 and one of only two signed by Rauno! (Todd has the other).  Was able to get Rauno to sign it right before his WRR interview which was a good one.  He’s such a wealth of information and great stories.

I think the storm scared a few folks away but they must have all come back for the Track Parade lap as there were hundreds maybe thousands of MINI’s lined up for a photo at the end of the laps.   The track laps was one of the days highlights as the banks are so high you get the feeling your going to just slide down.

And the weather held up and we finished off the day with a great concert by Michelle Branch!

Back home and heading up to MTTS Boston next weeked.

For all the days Pictures

MTTS 2008 - Miami Day 1

Flew into Miami and rented a Cooper S Convertible to attend the kick off of MINI Takes the States 2008.   I went straight to the hotel to check in and catch the rest of the Netherlands-France match.  It rained for most of the match but no sooner did the match finish did the sea part and the sun shined once again.

So I had a few hours to kill before the start of the MINI Owners party so I took a drive to Key Biscane and enjoyed the scenery.

Then it was off to Bicentenial Park where it felt like a MTTS 2006 reunion meeting up with all the folks from MINI USA, RAEvents and many folks from last years Mickey and Mini event.  (Ian, many folks asked about you)

Special Guest in attendance is the legendary Rauno Aaltonen who won the 1967 Monte Carlo rally in his 1275cc Cooper S who was kind enough to pose for a few pictures.  Its unfortunate I won’t be able to do the Miami to Boston drive as I am sure it will be a blast.

Two GPs were in attendance Florida ‘GP MINI’ GP1215 and GP0972 amongst the ~200 cars in attendance.

 It wasn’t all new MINI’s, The Classics were well represented and a group of four all came together and looked like little toys cars amongst the landscape.

After a snack it was time to get some popcorn and sit back and watch National Treasure on the big screen.

Ran into Todd and DB and on my way out there were two Cooper Sports, a Tahiti Blue twin to my Blue Cooper Sport and a Red Cooper Sport.   I wish I still had my Red Classic so I could have driven her down here :(.    hmm, maybe I can convince the guy who owns this Red one to sell it to me tomorrow and I can drive it up on the rally? Oh if it just wasn’t for that damn annoying ‘work’

 Convertible? I think this is the most time I’ve spent driving a MINI Convertible.  I have never been one for convertibles but did enjoy driving around with the top down though I find the inability to view anything in the rear view a bit getting used to but found the damn automatic transmission to be the real annoyance.   It is just god aweful! (maybe since its a rental its never seen the inside of the dealership for any sort of maintence… yeah thats what it must be.)

Can’t wait for tomorrow festivities and maybe let’s make a deal…..

For all the pictures

Greenwich Concours 2008

We had the Classic loaded on the trailer and followed her up to the Greenwich Concours in GP1717 who found a nice spot.

 There was in incredible collection of fine cars one nicer the next and all worthy of winning.

Making its first stateside car show appearance was the 1963 Corvette Pininfarina Rondine

Peter and Merry Braun were in attendance with “George” their ‘63 Austin Healey

They came in all shapes and sizes.

It was incredibly hot and fortunately behind where Blue was parked Chevy had an air conditioned tent that made for a nice retreat.  Featured in the tent was the new ZR1, Camaro and the Volt.

 The Good Humor Ice Cream Truck, the Fiat 500 and the lil Iseta and her sail boat.

Baby didn’t win but it was great to be able to present her and be in attendance.  What I really enjoyed was at the end they paraded every car for the audience.

Although near the end we were threatened by rain we were able to leave, drive home and get the Classic into the garage seconds before a the downpour

For all of the days Pictures  

For additional Coverage 

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