A thought occurred to me today!
At the moment there are about 70,000 MINIs in USA. There are many factory options available – body color, roof color, wheel style, seat style, combo 1/2/3 or individual options, etc.
It is hard to believe that there is any one specification of MINI that occurs in USA more than a few times – find another MINI that looks like yours and you are bound to find some differences.
So, what about the Special Edition MC40. Here we have 1000 MINIs all absolutely EXACTLY the same. You cannot order any special feature from the factory. This NorthAmericanMotoring discussion shows the dealer sticker listing the base car at $19,899 and then $7,000 for the “Monte Carlo Commemorative Package (MC40)”.
So these special edition MINIs are going to be more common than any other MINI in USA! I don’t think I want one 😉
MINI Convertible press release
I recently bought (from model-mann on eBay) a New York 2004 press release featuring the debut of the MINI Convertible. As well as standard press release text and a CDR, there is a nice “Encyclopedia of Open Motoring” with suggestions for motoring in the Convertible; the contents include such articles as “The Law Of The Top”, “What If Nature Happens” and “What About Hair”:
There is also a “Convertible Contract”: MINI owner hereby agrees to motoring with the top in down, or open position, at least 90% o an operating period. this time period only applicable while MINI Convertible remains in the legal possession of MINI owner. MINI USA recognizes and hereby agrees 10% of an operating period allows for MINI Convertible top be in the up, or closed position.
Apparently the MINI Convertible will be delivered open, with a seal over the close switch:
It will be interesting to see whether MINI USA actually follows through with this plan … will there be MINI Convertible police to enforce the 90/10 rule? 😉
COOPERS For CAREGIVERS Is Coming!
This weekend is the Coopers For Caregivers drive around the north shore – we have 18 MINIs attending.
The purpose of the drive (apart from meeting other MINI owners and having fun) is to draw attention to caregivers and caregiver support. The drive will deliver a “thank you” gift basket to a selected caregiver in each of the 9 towns of Cape Ann.
Yesterday I bought some “MINI sized” gift baskets, small enough to fit in the trunk of a MINI. I had the idea of putting a model MINI in each basket as a delivery memento for the caregiver. Today I visited the local Auto Fanatics here in Essex, because I needed some wheel cleaner. I mentioned the event and asked if they had any inexpensive models.
Unfortunately the lowest priced model at short notice was $20+ but they were prepared to significantly reduce the price to support the event – so I purchased 9 models:
Thank you to Auto Fanatics – check them out if you need model cars or car care stuff.
Thanks also to MINI USA who are supporting the event with a “MINI back pack” donation for each of the attending MINIs:
M&I / GBMINI 
