ALLGBMINI – Page 489 – M&I / GBMINI

What might have been …

Posted on June 2, 2004February 9, 2017 by Ian C.

Today I received (from my favourite eBay seller “CadillacAlex”) a Rover group press release from March 1997 (before Rover & BMW split, with MINI going to BMW).
… unveil a revolutionary new Mini design concept – Spiritual … a full four-seat family car achieved in a package of just 3.1 metres [10 feet, the same as the original Mini and much shorter than the MINI]
… powered by a flat three-cylinder engine mounted under the rear seats and driving the rear wheels … exceptionally compact but can seat four adults in comfort [like the new MINI? ;)] and meets all forthcoming safety and emissions demands.
… Spiritual Too extends the same compact design to a larger five-door car …
[Spiritual] is not the new Mini; it is a free-thinking approach to the long-term challenges of a future generation.

“Spiritual” MINI concept

“Spiritual too” MINI concept

MINIs On Top 2004 – almost here!

Posted on May 31, 2004February 9, 2017 by Ian C.

This weekend Margaret & I headed up to Franconia Notch in New Hampshire, close to where MINIsOnTop will soon occur. This is a favourite place with great scenery and also great pancakes, bacon and maple spread at Pollys Pancake Parlor.
Today before heading home we drove the Kancamagus Highway from end to end – most of it will be driven again with 125 other MINIs in three weeks!

GBMINI#2 at Pollys Pancakes

GBMINI#2 at Loon Mountain

Driving the Kancamagus Highway

Views on the Kancamagus Highway

MINI Of Peabody feature

Posted on May 24, 2004February 9, 2017 by Ian C.

Today when I visited MINI Peabody, Gary gave me a copy of Massachusetts Auto Dealer April 2004 (“the official publication of the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association”).
The issue carries the story “Top-Notch Techs Take On MINIs in Peabody”; it discusses Gary’s hiring of two techs from the CART Circuit – Jonny Reed (who has since returned to CART) and Bryan Winn (who did my John Cooper Works upgrade). Bryan is quoted as saying I do miss the excitement of the pit crew sometimes, but I love what I’m doing now; Gary says We have a great team and it’s a good environment to work in.