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.

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!

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 .

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

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

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

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

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

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Red got ice cream and the bears got chocolate.

All the Day’s Pictures

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