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Classic Weekend, Mokes & Mini Hauler

I spent the weekend in Florida visiting my folks and my little darling.   When I arrived Friday night I uncovered her and realized I never put the battery tender on after putting her away from coming back from Mickie & Mini event in September.  I figured the battery was dead but to my pleasant surprise the alarm disarm chimed and she fired up like the day I put her away.

Saturday morning I took her to DJMINIS for an oil service and tune-up and closer look at her flawless undercarriage.

  Later in the afternoon she got four new rubber soles for her paws that really transformed her into a new car.  I had vibrations at speeds and she was rather noisy.  Several folks commented that the Rover Sportpack has an inherit vibration due to the wider 13″ wheels but once I shed those 10 year old dry-rotted, flat-spotted Dunlop’s in favor of a new set of Yokohama A539 that I ordered from MiniMania she rides as smooth as butter and is so much quieter. 

Came back home, gave her a bath, a wax and put her to sleep until I visit again.  xoxox Daddy

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Baby makes two! Classics that is!

I headed back to Holland to visit my newest addition to the family.   A 2000 Tahiti Blue Rover Cooper Sport Final Edition with 1576 miles and flawless.   The Tahiti Blue joins the other T blue cars - Thunder Blue GP and Tobago Blue 850CSi.

Although this one is not one of the final 500 it is still exclusive in that it is part of the 2500 Final Edition Cooper Sports produced and this one was never released to the public!  It had been in the possession of BMW UK and registered/titled as such and used as a Press/Events Car.    It appears that BMW UK had maintained about a dozen Classic Mini’s that were used as Press/Events cars with some having MINI United 2005 Press stickers on them. 

This one is one of three cars that were badged with the 40th Anniversary Monte Carlo insignia by BMW and used in the 2004 celebration events along with a green one and red one.   Her sister the green one which is one number lower in vin and plate sequence was also available and I was tempted but with six other cars in the stable I’m having space constraints and running out of bubbles.

Riverhouse MINI is about 120 km east of Schipol and during the drive out I spotted several MINI’s and once I got out of the city it was a rather enjoyable ride through the gorgeous dutch countryside.

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Mickey&Mini Day3 - Mini Golf

On the third and final day a Mini Golf event at Disney’s Winter Summerland was scheduled for 11am but Ian and I after having breakfast headed off a bit early and headed to Disney Village for some shopping and got a round of Mini Golf in at the Disney Fantasia course.  

Ian and I opted for GP colored clubs and balls and we even found a set for the bears.

It was a fun course and one of the shots required a bit of squeezing into a tight spot to play the ball and the bears spent most of their time running and climbing around instead of playing golf.

Ian won the round and we headed off to Summer Winter Land to catch up with the rest of the folks.   When we pulled into the lot we found a great spot next to GP and this course was fantastic for the bears to run around and play in.   It had two full 18 holes setup, one in a winter theme and the other in a summer theme.  A definite must for next years event.

We caught up with the others and took some group shots.  Blue Bear found a nice shirt for Red Bear hanging up on the tree and will gift wrap it for xmas.

When we were done we had some ice cream and several of us headed off to Chili’s for some lunch.  ‘Baby’ got to park next to GP again which made for a nice shot when the big Hummer passed by.  Classic, GP and R56 facing the Hummer.  

We sat and had a nice lunch with John and Teri owners of ‘Mungo’, the Red R56 parked next to GP.  

It was a another great event filled with great people, cars and activities. Sunshine Mini organized a great event.  

We dropped Ian off at the airpot and headed back home for the 2hr drive to Port Richey where the ‘Baby’ performed flawlessly averaging a nice 69 and ran cool as a cucumber with the A/C going the whole way.   She got a bath, a wax and went to sleep in with her blankie until next time.

For all of Day 3 Pictures click here.   Also visit Ian’s coverage at GBMini.net and  Sunshine MINI

Mickey&Mini Day2 - Fun, Rain and Fun

Today was an event filled day.   We met Florida ‘GPMINI’ the only GP in attendance and had an opportunity to observe more of the MINIs and Minis in attendance. 

Even Minnie has a MINI and Ian towering over the classic before trying out the backs seat for comfort and fit.

Everyone loved the classic and Nigel makes it back to his Dad, James who is working on his next foster parents.

We started off with the morning Motoring driving around some nice roads in and around Disney and stopped several times for some photo ops. 

Then it was time for some lunch and we opted for the Scavenger Hunt which we didn’t win but it was a blast trying.   We headed to the Disney Village where we got many of the items we needed.

Then with time running out we headed to Kitty O’Sheas for dinner and the awards.  ‘Baby’ was invited to park amongst the two new R56 MINI’s. 

Inside at O’Sheas folks were enjoying themsleves and Nigel had a bit too much stout.  Brandy ‘MarktingGirl’ won first place in the scavenger hunt.

As we were getting ready to head back to the hotel it poured but like typical Orlando showers it cleared up a few minutes later.  Back at the hotel ‘Baby’ finally got to spend some time with the GP and we finished the day with a showing of the original Italian Job on the big screen poolside.

For all Day 2 Pictures Click here 

Mickey&Mini Day1 - Baby throws hissy fit

Got the classic and headed off to Orlando this afternoon but the ‘baby’ threw a tantrum about 30 miles into the ride as the temperature blew through the roof into red zone and the coolant began to boil over in the expansion tank.   I was rather shocked since I drove her home from Mississipi covering 800 miles with the A/C going full throttle the whole way without ever once going above the middle.    I let her cool off and headed back to the last gas station I spotted, picked up some coolant and filled it back up and debated on whether to head back home and get the rental but decided to venture forward.    During the rest of the ride she hovered between the blue and half way to red zone and I stopped twice to let her cool off and she eventually steadied back to the blue zone and as I got closer to the hotel I put the A/C back on to see if the temp would rise but it did not.  

After checking in I headed back down and lined her up along with several other classics for the car show where there were about 25 cars and by nights end there were about 50 cars in the lot.

 One of the sponsors Detailers Warehouse setup a car wash and booth to sell their products but I did take notice to their banner featuring a GP

Then it was time to head to the airport to pick Ian up.  I Put the A/C back on for the whole trip to picking Ian and back and the temp gauge was back to normal never budging from blue.  I think the issue has to do with the expansion tank cap.  I had removed it to check the fluid level earlier in the day and it might not have seated or sealed correctly and lacked proper pressure needed. 

We headed down to the hotel’s cocktail hours and Ian and I ran into Brandy who gave me Nigel at MoT and her sister and we got the bears drinks and Nigel chips.  The bears couldn’t finish their drinks but Nigel stepped in to help finish them off before we headed off to the Reception dinner.

where I had the pork loin and it was delicous, the ice tea wasn’t and the dessert was rich!.

For all the Days Pictures Click Here

Pepsi Country and First Impressions.

Got up and found the Mini wet from last nights rain.   I knew I should have carried her car cover with me instead of shipping it directly to my folks place.  I dried her and got the bears ready to head out continuing on Coastal 98 and enjoyed the nice sunrise as we came across a possible future location of the GP sanctuary. (though no GP’s were to be sighted)

 Stopped off at Carrabelle “Pepsi Country’ to to fill up and have a Pepsi and regenerate my youth as if driving a Mini wasn’t enough to make me feel like a kid.  One of these days I’m going to have to grow up.

 further down we enter ‘the Fog’ which lasted for about 20 miles or so. Quite thick but with Mini’s extra’s eyes and rear fog she had no issues cutting through it.

Mini made some friends along the way and if Manatees are really this big, Mini’s staying out of the water.

We made it home around noon and was greeted by my lil brother ‘Simba’ who promised to take good care of Mini.  Then it was time to examine our road conguests and wash and wax the baby before she went to sleep in her blankie.

After 850 miles and 16 hours in the drivers seats I rather enjoyed driving the Mini though no question that the New MINI is far better on long trips.   Mini can cruise at 75mph and reached 84.9 at one stretch but find she’s better suited for 65-70mph driving.  Mini’s steering wheel and pedal locations did not bother me at all but albeit the seats are absolutely beautiful they irritated my lower back which is to be expected from a non sport seat.  (No I am not just a sports seats snob without good reason ).  I have found a source for Cobra sports seats in the UK in a similar color to the Stone Beige which I will most likely be ordered them soon.

For all the days Pictures Click Here

St. George Island, Apalachicola

I got up this morning and looked out the balcony and thought the day was going to be a wash out but by the time I got the bears up and went downstairs to check up in Mini it cleared up just nicely and we headed down for a dip and some rays before leaving Pensacola. 

Before leaving Pensacola, Mini wanted nothing more then to get this beach ball for the bears to play with.  Mini gets her first bath of the day.

After Mini’s bath we headed to the Naval Aviation National Museum.

The museum was rather impressive with a broad collection of planes.

Even the bears thought so, though blue bear tried to fly the MIG but couldn’t make out the Russian dials.

After we left the Museum we decided to take Coastal 98 instead of the interstate and target going through Panama City Beach and staying over in Apalachicola.  It was a good decision as there where pleanty of photo ops along the way.

Just outside of Destin I spotted this SMART car so I pull over and waited for it to pass me.  When we were stopped at the light I smiled and said hello but got absolutely no reaction for the occupants.  They didn’t seem all that happy, perhaps driving all the way from Michigan in a SMART car wasn’t so smart? ;)  

hmm, amongst these $200K+ cars I think the choice is obvious!  Take one of the 200k+ cars and sell it to buy a caravan of Mini’s.

After we passed through Panama City Beach, Mini came across this Classic Buggie and stopped to catch up on good times.   After checking into the hotel, we headed off for St. George Island.  According to Lola, Mini should have needed her life preserver to cross the channel. . 

As the sun was setting it was time for some sunset pictures 

interestingly enough as we left St. George Island and headed back to Apalachicola it was daylight again.  Now this house is either narrow or Mini is really long.  Hmm classic Porsche or Classic Mini? and Mini gets her night time bath to get rid of all the road grime and get ready for bed.

For all the days pictures click here

New Baby Girl!

Today I flew to Mississipi and adopted this Classic Mini Cooper Sportspack.  She’s a tiny tot weighing only ~1575lbs and measuring a mear 120″.  She’s Solar Red with full Stone beige leather, red carpet and full walnut trim.  She even has A/C.    Yes… she is a pie….a cutie pie! 

 Rather amazed how nicely appointed these late Classics are.  Interior and leather quality is right on par with high end british cars.  Wish the new MINI’s leather was this good.

Before heading off she took one last picture with her former guardian Louis who did a great job taking care of her for the last year and half.   Even the cows couldn’t help but admire her and pretty sure they where smiling.  I had stopped at one of the welcome centers to make a call and while inside I couldn’t help but notice people walking around and admiring her all with smiles.  Even on the road, as people passed me I could see them looking at her and smiling and she got several thumbs up.   You can’t help but smile when looking at her.

We made it to Pensacola where we’ll stay the night before heading onwards.  I moved her three times before finding a nice spot in the parking garage adjacent to a wall.  Wish I had my cones. 

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