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Bootylicious

During my recent trip to the UK, I met up with my friend Martin who I had first met at the IMM earlier this summer and who also owns a Blue Cooper Sport just like my Blue.   Red was parked next to his during the Mini 50 car show and I admired Martins custom boot liner he created for his Mini.  It really fitted quite well and with the split bottom it made for getting to the battery to connect a tender rather easily.

I had previously purchased Red the boot liner that is generally available covered with carpet material but it really doesn’t fit all that well and the side pieces constantly fall and its a pain to get to the battery or tire with the solid one piece bottom.  You basically have to fight all the pieces into place.    Here is Red before and after with the carpet boot liner.  Yeah, its better then nothing but why settle for 2nd best

After seeing Martin at a few other car shows over the summer he kindly agreed to make me a custom boot liner like his.    I had originally intended it for Red but since she’s been spoiled with so many upgrades I brought this one back home for Blue who is very happy with her xmas gift and her booty never looked so good.   Thanks Martin, it look awesome!

When I return to the UK next year, Martin will create another set for Red.  If you are interested in one of these let me know and I will put you in touch with Martin.    If you show your car or are just as obsessive compulsive as I am there really isn’t another boot liner kit like this one and yes, color is your choice.

Santa’s New Sleigh

Red visited Santa and tried out for becoming his new sleigh but unfortunately she lacks the boot space though the Bears wasted no time in putting in their Xmas wish list.

On dropping Red back at Classic Mini’s where hopefully we can get a set of Recaro’s fitted before my next visit we spotted a Bunnie, a rather large Bunnie who stopped by to visit the Mini’s.  And I finally got the bears proper Fish-n-Chip with mushy peas for dinner!

Red Goes Topless..Almost

Picked up Red from Classic Minis after she was fitted with the Webasto Fabric roof and John Cooper Works Tuning Kit  last month.

Now she’s almost a convertible!   The roof opens up almost all the way back and although I had a lot of reservations of having the roof cut to have it installed I am really glad I did.   It is amazingly rather quite with it open and the blast of fresh air is welcoming.

 The weather cleared up from the morning rain and was able to keep it open and enjoy the weather and scenic trek up to Cobham.   Roof open makes on the road photo’s a breeze. 

Will find out later in the week on the HP gain but so far the JCW conversion has provided enough HP to make a world of difference in hwy driveability and she almost sounds as good as the GP with her RC40 Stainless steel exhaust.   Now to figure out the fuel economy hit .

MTTUK – Day 50 – Classic Minis

Headed over to Classic Mini’s today to get Red an early 6k miles service.   While Red was getting serviced I gave Mike a hand bringing back some cars from their large display at Goodwood. 

I got to drive my first 60’s Mini and boy was it a blast and yes four adults can fit into a classic with out a problem.

 All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 28 – Gogarth 2 Gower Day2

Uncovered Red and gave her another coat of wax before the rain came then headed into town for some pictures.

Then headed into the campsite for the start of Day 2 of the Gogarth to Gower.  We drove over the Black Mountains where several Top Gear episodes were filmed but could not see much as the fog was rather thick and made for some exciting driving.  

At the end we ended up at the Hotel Gower where we had some sandwiches and a Happy Birthday song for Les who owns the Mini 40.  Happy Birthday Les!

If I heard correctly the event raised almost 4k Sterling for the McDonald House.  It was a fanstatic event over some of the most gorgeous roads/countryside one could ask for compounded with a lot of great folks.

All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 16 – Yorkshire’s

Left Sheffield and headed towards York, then north-east to the coastal villages of Scarborough and Whitby and then through the York Moor Forest park to Gisborough.

On the way to York… Someone’s lovely home, two british icons and Red meets a Dalek.

York Minster – largest Medieval Gothic cathedral north of the Alps

Into Scarborough and a visit to what is left of MG Rover Scarborough -

Scarbogough Castle and views of Scarborough from above

Whitby Abbey and views of Whitby coastline from above

then to Gisborough and a stay at Gisborough Hall

All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 14 – MiTP & BMW Festival

First headed to Santa Pod to attend Mini’s in the Park event where both new and old were intermingled in harmonious celebration.

This lil fella hitched a ride from the hotel all the way to Santa Pod raceway, guess he really liked Red .

and the bears had lots of fun running around.  GPMick was in attendance with a stand with about a dozen or so GP’s.  It was really nice to see a bunch of GP’s as the 18th marks the 3rd Anniversary of the Monterey Early delivery of GP0154.

At the entrance of the race track they were taking picture of the cars as they entered and had the opportunity to buy them in prints, canvas, mugs etc.  I bought a canvas print of Red though had ordered an 12×8 and they wound up making it 18×12, so now how to get it home?

then it was off to the Heritage Motor Center to attend the BMW Festival advertised as the largest gathering  of BMW’s in the world and there was indeed a large number of really nice cars.  There were several 8’s in attendance but only one 850CSi.   Several 840Ci Sports which I think might be all around the best 8 for a daily driver as it has the appeal of the CSi trim but with the more economical 4L V8.  All had standard interior colors (black, grey) and none with the exotic bi-color interior of my CSi. 

All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 12 – Transport Musuems

Headed to the Coventry Transport Museum which has a wide range and very unique transports in their collection.  It is one of the nicest museum’s I have been to and it was free entry on top of that.  Can’t beat that. 

The Bears really liked this 1929 Austin Seven Swallow.   Lots of pics of the rest in the gallery.

Stopped by a MINI Dealer, LTI Factory and a Fiat dealership to see the Abarth but it seems that there are only a handful of Abarth dealers in the country. 

 Tried going to the Railroad museum and British Transport museum but they were both closed.

Went to Handbury Hall where Red found a relative to play with whilst I checked out the grounds

All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 11 – Coventry

Headed north to Coventry and stopped to get Red a big ice cream cone before she got another bath.  Took a tour of the Midland Air Museum before heading into Coventry.

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Red got ice cream and the bears got chocolate.

All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 9 – Morgan Motor Company

Today I explored the Marlvern area of Worcestershire and headed to the home of the Morgan Motor Company who is celebrating their Centenial.   It was just an amazing tour with loads of pictures in the gallery.  Unlike other car factory tours where pictures are not permitted they had no issues with photo taking.   

It really was an incredible tour to watch how each and every car is hand built from a wood frame to the addition of the aluminium and everything is done by hand the same way it was done 100 years ago.

Looks like there is a new addition to the family, Morgan bear.  Wonder if he has any pull to get an employee discount?  Finished off the day with a great drive up to Malvern hills and then into Great Witley with a vist to Witley Court.

 All the Day’s Pictures