MINI Convertible nearly here!

Posted on by Ian C.

During todays visit to MINI Peabody to say “Hi” to Randolph and install his auto-up-windows MINI circuit, we were lucky to see a copy of the latest Dealer brochure covering the MINI Convertible. What is more, Randolph acquired a discarded copy for my collection!

The image on the front changes from a closed to an open convertible, depending on angle:


The brochure discusses the new MINI Convertible:
… combines the strong emotional appeal of the unmistakable MINI design and the fun of open top driving … designed to inspire love at first sight … changes made to accommodate the soft top have virtually no effect on the amount of head, shoulder and leg room for back-seat passengers …

There is also a large section comparing the MINI Convertible with the PT Cruiser and new VW Beetle convertibles – interestingly a “+” for both models is genuine four-seater which presumably is an acknowledgement of the cramped rear space of the MINI Convertible …
The brochure definitely makes the car look very tempting 🙂

Improving the look of your vents

Posted on by Ian C.

If you have an ’03 or earlier MINI, you probably have the same vent grilles as GBMINI, with a foam/gauze piece which collects and clings to dirt, insects and everything else that hits it.
Ever since I saw that the ’04 MINIs had an improved vent grille, I have planned to replace mine – but for a long time buying the vent grille meant buying the old part and not the new part.
But finally I have the new vent grilles installed on GBMINI – and they are massively better looking (old on left, new on right):


This is a low cost mod and gives a good looking result; the parts cost me less than $25 at MINI Peabody (including MA tax). The part numbers you need are: 51-13-7-122-505 and 51-13-7-122-506. Make sure you are getting the new design!

What might have been …

Posted on 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” MINI concept
“Spiritual too” MINI concept