MINI Meets – Page 173

British Invasion 2005

Posted on September 18, 2005February 19, 2017 by Ian C.

Another year, another trip to Stowe for British Invasion (see also 2003 and 2004)

Once again, a serious amount of rain made the show field very muddy, and I think many cars were put off – the attendance looked down from previous years, and modern MINIs counted more than classics this year, for the first time (14 moderns, 11 classics):

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Many other British cars too, old & new, including a handful of $$$$$ Astons – all owned by the same guy (that’s just showing off)!

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I was thrilled this year to get first prize in the peoples choice – what’s more, the prize plaque was the correct color for GBMINI#3; a really nice Mini pickup, owned by Shannon, got first in the classic Mini section:

GBMINI#3 gets first prize

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On the Sunday, more overnight rain caused the “backseat driver” event to be cancelled. There were a few “tailgate picnic” entrants and a reasonable turnout for the “parade of colors” displays, but many people had headed home. But one Mini / MINI pair had accidentally posed for me:

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The “all new” MINI Peabody

Posted on August 24, 2005February 10, 2017 by Ian C.

Headed over to MINI Peabody at lunchtime to meet Richard, also met Chris – both having service work done … MINI Peabody had their parking lot resurfaced this past Monday, so everywhere is smooth now, with no potholes anywhere – it would make for a great auto-x track! Also, the upstairs “owners lounge” is now finished and fully ready for use, offering satellite TV, wireless internet access, as well as the essentials like coffee!

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I also noticed that the convertible MINI rear window failure still occurs …

MINIs at the Movies

Posted on August 20, 2005February 10, 2017 by Ian C.

About 20 MINIs met up to tour the Budweiser Brewery, enjoy a BBQ on top of Pack Monadnock, drive back roads to Ice Cream, and end the day watching movies at the Milford Drive-in (Derek (MetalMiniMayhem) organized the event on this MINI2 thread)

I joined the other MINIs at Pack Monadnock in Miller State Park, where we filled the parking lot! The road up the mountain is fabulous, with exhilarating twisty bits and switchbacks in a short run with no scary drops to the side – better than Mount Washington in many ways!

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At the top, a BBQ grille was prepared and everyone gathered to chat and wait for food; the weather was not great, with threatening rain and near zero visibility, but it had no effect on the fun factor of MINI owners gathering …

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After lunch, we headed back down the mountain and drove some wild back roads (a little too quickly!), to arrive at Ice Cream!

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Then it was finally time to head to the drive-in movie, where most MINIs chose the “scary adult movie” (Skeleton Key); I and two other MINIs picked the “G” rated “Valiant” instead, which was fun; the drive-in also offered good snacks at a reasonable price.

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The price of admission ($18/car) is good value so long as you have more than one person in the car, and stick around to watch both movies – (not so good for me, on my own and leaving after the first movie)!