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GP, A Four Year Love Affair

Tomorrow marks the four year anniversary of the GP love affair.   It seems like it was only yesterday when we ran onto the small island at Laguna Seca to see 32 stunning GPs awaiting their new owners and marking the beginning of the epic two week cross country journey from Monterey to Lime Rock known as Mini Takes the States 2006.   

Leave it to the Ancient Greeks to defined six levels of Love and as with many inter-personal relationships it all started with ‘Eros – based on passionate physical appearance  but over the years has evolved to ‘Philia’ –  virtuous love, loyalty into ’Agape’ - a selfless altruistic love.

I covered some 5k miles during those two weeks of MTTS 2006 helping solidify our bond and after four years and 23k miles later she has been nothing but loyal, dependable and always ready to please whenever I get behind the wheel.   I’ve been behind the wheel of countless cars over the years but I can’t say any have continued to provide the pleasure and enjoyment day after day and after four years like GP has.     

Seasons Last Snow Fall?

GP wishing she was down in Florida with her sister.   Hopefully its the last snow of the season.   Better schedule her a spa session.

Seasons First Snow Fall

and boy it was a boat load.  must have received a good 18-20″ with drifts over 3′ high. 

GP1415 and 1717 are in the back inside their carcoons but GP0154 had to stay on the side with just her car cover, drifts almost buried her.  I bet she wishes she was down in Florida with GP0203

drifts created some nice results

Mini Bear Christmas

I have been on the road so much over the years I honestly can not remember the last time I was home beyond the short weekend to actually have time to put a tree up or decorate for the holidays.  I think it was another lifetime.

I am keeping it is simple with a mini tree decorated with Mini’s and Bears.

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!

Brookland, Concorde & Mercedes World

I visited Brookland Museum, the birthplace of British Motorsport and Aviation.   Only a small section of the historic track still exists and most of the original track land has been sold off, one section now home of Mercedes-Benz World.

The Concorde Experience – home of first Brookland Concorde’s.  1/3 of each Concorde was built at Brookland and those components transported for full assembly.  A total of 20 were built but 17 were for general flight.  Picture has the current history of each and their current location.

Mercedes-Benz World and Performance Center a rather huge complex with several floors covering all the current models, including Smart as well as historic cars.  Didn’t have time but may return some day to schedule a track session.  They have several to choose from.

 All the Day’s Pictures

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 .

2009 Classic Motor Show @ NEC

Flew in this morning and drove up to Birmingham to meet up with my friend Martin who I met over the summer during the Mini events and was so gracious in making a custom boot liner for Red like the one he made for his own Blue Cooper Sport.  (future post to follow).

We attended the 2009 Classic Motor Show held at the N.E.C. and boy is it a huge event with a vast array of classic cars.  Just amazed how many good ole american classics there are in the U.K.    here are some highlights.

All the Day’s Pictures

Cooper Bikes

Mike Cooper and family are now making ‘Cooper Bikes’.  Here is a press release about the upcoming bikes they are releasing all badged with the oh so special ‘Cooper’ emblem.   Now if they would just fold down and fit in the boot of my classic!

Cooper Takes on Two Wheels 

The Cooper Car Company launches Cooper Bikes with a new urban bicycle range to mark the 50-years since the groundbreaking F1 Cooper win 

 London, Wednesday 23rd September 2009: Cooper Bikes, the bicycle division of Cooper Car Company, launch their new range of bikes at the Earls Court Cycle Show on the 8^th October 2009. 

Utilising the engineering and technical know how that has been synonymous with the British Company for 50 years, and with a nod to their racing heritage, the first models code name T100 will be called “Monza” and “Sebring”, after the circuits which saw the Company’s F1 Championship victory in 1959. 

Both bikes exhibit the modern aggressive styling of a track bike, and combine confident, sharp handling with comfort and smoothness.  The T100 Monza is supplied in dark blue with flat bars and the T100 Sebring is finished in silver, and has bullhorn bars.  The bikes retail from £595 and are available from January 2010.

Mike Cooper commented: “The Cooper Car Company has always had a passion for bicycles and we have been thinking about diversifying the business for a while.  We wanted to turn our engineering know how to making bicycles that offer the best possible components for the best possible price”

In addition to the T100 Monza and T100 Sebring, the Cooper range will include the T200 Championship 50 and the T200 Reims 5 Speed.   Inspired by the lightweight racing bikes of the 1960’s, the T200 series combines classic styling with modern components and technology. 

The T200 Championship 50 is a special edition single speed, finished in classic Cooper racing green to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Cooper Car Company Formula 1 World Championship victory in 1959.  The stunning T200 Reims, finished in cream, combines style with the practicality of 5 gears.  The T200 bikes, which will be available in March 2010 will also make an appearance at the Cycle Show.  

All single speed bicycles will feature a flip flop hub, which accepts both fixed cogs and freewheel.  In addition, all of the bikes will feature Brooks Saddles, Sturmey Archer Cranks, Reynolds Tubing and Tektro Brakes.

These iconic British branded hand-built road bikes will be available from www.cooperbikes.com and from selected dealers worldwide.

MTTUK – Day 52 – Brighton

Headed to Brighton for the day and since the weather was quite lovely I spent most of the time relaxing at the Beach Cafe enjoying my Fish n chips lunch and getting some rays.

 All the Day’s Pictures