I am impressed that you know what the original Mini Cooper looked like! That being said, it needs to be British Racing Green. I used to follow cars and have autocrossed my Alfa Romeo (which I sold to a friend), but now I am devoting all my vehicular interest to my motorcycles (I've 3 so far).

Well, if it were a jaguar, British Racing Green would definitly be my first choice. However, it looks like I am going with indy blue with the contrasting white roof. I may change my mind at the last minute to silver with a black roof. I drove it today and I am in love! Zippy little car, and very comfortable for such a small vehicle. I had no trouble at all in deciding on the 5-speed manual transmission. Putting an automatic in this little beauty should be illegal! If I can make my color choice in time, I should be able to pick it up tomorrow! Yippeeee!

We're getting a new car??

Very funny, Dear. Yes...we are. Um...and that earlier remark eluding to the fact that you think it looks like a little Shriner's cart from the circus...ooooh....you will pay.

Never mind your "better half". A 5-speed... now I am really impressed... again. I will also venture to guess that you believe the true test in a driver's skill is in the twisties? And not by how firmly you hold a steering wheel while standing on the gas pedal?

AMEN! As a matter of fact, I did spend a couple of years hanging out at Nelson Ledges road course (back in my younger wilder years). Nelson is a 13 turn road course and the classic Mini's were frequently raced there. Give me sports car racing over drag strips or roundy-roundy perpetual left-turn ovals any day!

Luckily I was with a salesperson today who had no problem with me taking the mini for a fun ride up a windy hill. I was really surprised at how well this car handled in the turns. Sheesh...now I'll never sleep tonight. Delayed gratification is just not my thing. I can't wait to pick it up. I was so glad that the features I wanted were available in several cars on the lot. Special orders take 2 months to build and ship from Great Britain. That would be utter torture!

Alas, but America is mostly a NASCAR/NHRA crowd enthralled with straights and ovals. Witness my GMC Sonoma pickup leaving a Nissan Z-car in the dust (once we hit twisty asphalt). I've also bested Corvettes and Beemers, but that guy in the Viper definitely knew what he was doing! Enjoy!

My first ever car was a silver mini (fond memories...) . I too really like the new model but would choose any colour but green.

Picked it up tonight. Decided on the indy blue, white roof and white bonnet stripes. Such a fun little car! I could not believe the number of heads it turned on the way home. People just can't help looking at it.

Congrats, Debbie. You picked my favorite color. Have fun with your new car. We want pictures!

Thanks Cheryl. I would have taken pictures tonight, but it's pouring rain. Bummer. I'm having the bonnet stripes put on next week, so I'll take pictures then. But for now it looks exactly like this: http://www.mcdeb.com/images/my_MINI.jpg

Wow, you even call it a "bonnet". Was that from the brochure, or do you really have all that grease under your nails??!

The thing must really cover plenty of kilometers per litre of petrol, no?

WOW! Nelson Ledges! Now that stirs up many memories for me! I raced there for about 20 years on motorcycles. I raced in 13 24 hours on that track winning 3 of them. I know it better than any other other piece of asphalt in the world.

Great memories. Thanks for stirrin them up for me.

I hope you enjoy your new ride!

WOW! Keith! Small world. We probably bumped into eachother there at one time or another. I was a corner-worker with Lake Erie Communications. I'm guessing that the years were from 1983-1986. I only worked one motorcycle race. But I did work the 24-hour showroom stock races (Longest Day of Nelson) several times. Mostly worked Formula Fords, Super V's, showroom stock and of course, Mini Coopers. Also worked at Mid-Ohio and spent one unforgetable weekend working the Detroit Grand Prix. This was back when it was Formula One and run on the streets of downtown Detroit. Oh, and a couple of Cleveland Grand Prix's as well.

We probably have some mutual acquaintances. I have not had contact with anyone there for a really long time, but I remember the die-hards very well. It was a blast.

Nelson is a great old course. So, how many times did you lose it in 13?

I never went down in 13 but did at the approach to 12 in a grand way. I have a great picture of me recovering on my hands a knees with about 3 other bikes headed directly for me! That was in the 2nd hour of the 1979 24 hour and we still won the race! What fun!

I have also raced at Mid Ohio. It was my favoriate track. Luved that back streightaway!
Raced Freddie Spencer there that year.

I have not been to Nelson's since the last 24 hour race. Now that the new track in Western Pa is open I figure it will fade away even more.

I wish I could remember some of the people in the LEC. There were a few regulars to the 24 hours I knew but have not seen in years. All the riders really appreciated all the hard work you all did.

Maybe some day you can go rent the track and try the Mini out without the cops bothering you!

KAMware

Check out the pictures of a modification I just made.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?selected=311444

Some what belated... But welcome to the club... Mini Coopers and PPC's...

Liked your Mini theme and downloaded it. I have a S which is Chili Red with the White roof, sunroof and NAV system. Thanks

Nice pics, Charles! I may want more details on how you did it. I'm considering something similar.

Jeff: Another MINI owner! Yeah! We should start our own club.

ohh man. I am dying fir a Mini and have been researching and scoping them out for a while now. Finances dictate waiting until this fall (since a wedding for our daughter somehow takes priority!) In any event, I love your Mini theme and hope to see more! (Not to mention how jealous I am that you have one and I don't!

Thanks!

Peter

OH boy are you in for a real treat. I am 18 and my mother orderd a 2004 comos black mini with contrasting white mirrors and roof with a side of "bonnet racing stripes". Now equiped with the aero kit and black 18"Konig Theoryrims after 2 months of grueling work as a bagger at Publix Supermarkets......So to answer your first question about color...its got to be Cosmos Black(turns heads every time) best of look to you and your new baby!