MINI Style

Nurburgring Trip!

2009-08-29T17:00:00.002+02:00

Well we are here have been fro a few days... staying at the Hotel An Der Nordschleife, you know this one...

If you ever have to stay here... Eddy will take good care of you!

I guess today is a VLN Race day untill 1800 so we have been out taking lots of pictures and video and wandering around the pits...

Tomorrow i will be renting a VW Scirocco from the www.rent-racecar.de folks 6 laps with an instructor... should be a blast! Talk to Heide if you would like to make arangments

However one hitch... No red... STILL! 3 weeks with BMW and they still havent fixed whatever the problem is... we have been reduced to renting a car... which was a Nissan Micra at first but coming out of the Swiss Alps the driverside wheels Skirt decided to attack the wheel and then hit the car behind me... so we got upgraded in Bologina to a Nissan Qashqui (Rogue fro the americans) Its a Diesel, so its peppy! but garbage... and was only able to top it out at 170kph... SLOW... my 1994 Merc is faster! anyway more soon... and pictures!

Good News, Bad News!

2009-02-23T14:28:00.003+01:00

Bad news first right? Anyway, I am selling Elvis... though I think you will agree when I am done it's for a good cause! I am selling Elvis to a couple that just moved here and want a little beater for Naples. They are taking him off my hands for a steal but i will still be able to tinker with him! The real frustration (and thanks again Steve for all your help (on CooperTune)) is that I finally have everything except the caster right on Elvis.

Now the good news. I have found an '81 1098cc to bring back. For which I am getting for an AMAZING price... (in a big radio announcer voice, " Prices so low you will lose your mind!") $700 and it runs! The hardest part will be yet another suspension rebuild, this time with cones... sorry springs guys i cant stand the fact that they fall apart every time you bring it off the ground! Its a royal blue with white wheels and white stripes and roof, a Italian interior package that is totally custom, Pictures soon! I go to get the keys today! SO look for new picts soon...

(cont)

Well Elvis is gone to his new home and the new old mini is on jack stands... Angelo, his name, is a good solid car but needs a lot of love...

As you can see the body is in decent shape.

For those who have had your bonnet open before any guesses on whats missing?

Its like a fire sale, Everything had to go...

Was there ever a Mini with this badging?

The seats are awesome, comfy too, just the orange doesn't go with the red in the door cards!

Part of the reason that his name is Angelo!

The keep pile.... you don't want to see the toss pile!

More soon! But please feel free to throw input and suggestions at us!

Pictures From Our Run!

2008-11-17T12:12:00.002+01:00

Blam! New Rims!

2008-11-14T10:05:00.003+01:00

Red's Back

2008-11-12T10:33:00.001+01:00

We went on a run this weekend to enjoy our car back and let me tell you what fun we had, CGlocks installed and hours of great driving pictures soon!

View Larger Map

Pain.... Red Got Hit

2008-08-06T16:12:00.003+02:00

So Less than 48 Hours before we were to get on the road for the Ring... I got broadsided by a truck full of dirt... More to follow..

The crazy thing is how close i was to being home.

--Tim

... Travel Bug

2008-08-05T12:45:00.001+02:00

Whos Ready For it?

Amalfi Coast Run

2008-05-12T07:55:00.002+02:00

Ok, Dragon runners eat your hearts out... this weekend Amanda and I made our own run on what I would consider one of the most challenging loops that I have driven yet...

View Larger Map

The Amalfi Coast Run... What a day it took us over 4 hours and we have seen some amazing things and I will post pictures soon. I can tell you that its days like yesterday that make me love my MINI even more!

~ Lets Motor Italy!

MV Mini Run

2008-05-05T21:41:00.002+02:00

In the Spirit of the MOTD weekend i thought that it would be good to get out and do some driving.... and this is where i went.... Vesuvio's Peak.... Beautiful and an Awesome drive... i will post some pictures later bu i wanted to just get this up on the site... check out the map below!

View Larger Map

Nurburgring Prep!

2008-04-14T20:57:00.002+02:00

Tools in hand to put things in place.

Tires in place.

Look at the tread.

Wheels that are as mean as the Ring.

Reassembled Elvis

2008-04-12T22:01:00.003+02:00

Before some adjustments.

After.

Springs up front.

All the new pieces in place.

Your favorite Cooper.

A view to the Future!

After all if the work I am proud to say that Elvis is healthy and ready to run the distance... We went out for dinner tonight and covered alot of ground and he is as fun as ever. More pictures from the road soon!

Disassembled Elvis Part 3

2008-04-11T11:14:00.004+02:00

OK so we got the parts in and here they are....

The new Exhaust and intake parts.

Suspension parts and various rubber pieces.

Old and new needles and springs for the carb.

The rear suspension complete.

The Exhaust Hung. Pure Beauty!

Elvis is a actually on the road now i have been driving him to work all the repairs are complete, i will have more pictures up loaded soon for your review!

Motor More!

Disassembled Elvis Part 2

2008-03-30T15:16:00.004+02:00

OK here are more pictures from today..... Look Ma, no suspension...

Do these Cups need to be replaced?

My Parts Pile Keeps Growing!

I hope the new kit comes with these ball joints cause these are trashed!

Springs "The new Cones"

So things are progressing i cant wait to see how it turns out but i will keep up with the play by play for you... i haven't bothered with the front cause i am going to wait on the cone compression tool... but soon my friends hopefully the new parts will come in tomorrow!

Disassembled Elvis Part 1

2008-03-30T15:10:00.004+02:00

ok ya'll, no one has seen elvis recently so i thought that i would put his current status out there....

The Damage Done.... Broke the tabs off the manifold.

Hi there!

The Rear Suspension setup and the new spring...

Elvis on jack stands.

Elvis's Sad News

2008-03-18T16:33:00.002+01:00

So last Thursday, as i was pulling in to the Casa i caught the Catalytic converter on the 'ltrack that my gate runs on and broke all the flanges of the exaust manifold... bummer right. so later at a friends house, who has rebuilt more than a few cars talked me into driving the car the 1/4 mile to his house with out a hood or for all purposes no exhaust either, you should have seen the looks on the Italian faces around here.... my mini with no hood making LOTs of noise and his Jeep Cherokee with an 8" body lift , 38" tyres and straight pipes... traveling from my house to his, it was a sight to bee seen. We put Elvis up on jack stands and started to break things down the exhaust and manifold are off and the tyres are off and the suspension is going to be torn down tommorow.... lots of learning for me and lots of fun......

Look at all the new parts that this misfortune has brought me.... they are all in the mail right now... I cant wait to get Elvis back on his feet.

Tuning Kit - STAGE 1 - Carburettor - HALF KIT less exhaust - HS4 / HIF38
Exhaust System - Twin 2.25" Centre Exit - Sportex - Single Silencer
Competition rubber supension cone
Steering rack boot kit
Competition extended track rod end
Front Bumpstop - Poly single bolt
Rear Bumpstop - Progresive kit
Performance Handling Suspension Kits with KYB gas shock absorbers

Elvis's New Friend!

2008-03-03T12:49:00.002+01:00

Well guys we met a new couple (Chris & Christina) here in the Naples area that just checked in and have been hanging out with them and Chris fell in love with the classic Mini's... on Tuesday they bought the above Mini! "He-Who-Has-Not-Been-Named", Is a 1993 BRG British Open Classic with the folding cloth roof... It is mint. So this Saturday or Sunday we are going to go for a little run! We will see how things go and try to get more people involved but we have a club now! More to follow!

~ Tim & Amanda

Red's New Paint Job

2008-02-13T13:48:00.003+01:00

What do you think? Just kidding its just the new challenge car... i think that reds next treatment will be something lik this... Mike if you are out there.... start thinking!

~ Tim

Red's First Italian MINI Run!

2008-02-09T17:13:00.000+01:00

So I have been in the mood for a good run... and today Amanda and I went on our first Run together... ok so Red took us on a run... But it was good. We did it in about 2 hours and got to see some beautiful Villages and roads. But at the end of my route we ended up on this hill top that was breathtaking. Here are some pictures and the route we took!

View Larger Map

Elvis Goes to the Shop

2008-02-06T09:05:00.000+01:00

Well Guys, I hate to say it but Elvis is on his was back to this shop AGAIN! This time its the starter! the Mechanic came out to the house and checked it out and them pushed him on to the truck to take him back to the shop... the poor guy its just one thing after another... he still needs new wheels, tires and a new suspension. (sigh) this will be a premium Mini whne we bring him back!

~ Tim

Together at Last!

2008-01-27T07:35:00.000+01:00

Well we had a little photo shoot night before last and yesterday after i washed the cars and as you can see everyone is happy to be together... pictures from more adventure coming!

~Tim & Amanda

Pictures

2008-01-23T13:55:00.000+01:00

Look! A new Pet! Elvis has finnaly new pictures to go along with his new throttle body and rebuild top end! He Purrs like no other now! And has the spirit of a Cooper, as one would expect!

Lets Motor Faster!

~ Tim & Amanda

Driving In Italy

2008-01-17T09:21:00.000+01:00

So, for those of you that have never been to Napoli, let me tell you that you must forget everything that you have ever learned about driving. The streets are VERY narrow regardless of the width of the road surface. Say a highway is 2 lanes, you will see three to four lanes of traffic, motorbikes have the right of way and travel if you hit one you are at fault! the driving style is VERY aggressive but if you beat a driver to a round about or into an intersection there is no fighting, its like the first come first serve rule! The road bed is made with crushed marble, so when it gets wet or hot it gets slick! and some of the autostrata is not properly banked so some corners are more dangerous then others!

But i say all of this to say that i have never had more fun city driving and highway driving then here! Elvis is perfect for it even though his lovely suspension is shot and needs replacement! Anyone who wants to visit please do! its a hoot!

Elvis At The House!

2008-01-04T22:38:00.000+01:00

Hey You guys check it out! Elvis out at the house in Casal! We have also have some pictures of Fireworks from new years and Naples, so click on the picture above and check out whats going on here in Italy!

~ Tim & Amanda

Newest Member of the Family!

2007-12-23T01:14:00.000+01:00

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the HRmini family! His name is Elvis and hes my 1991 Rover Mini Cooper! We got him from one of the sailors here for 1200$ he needs some work but.... let me tell you awesome mechanical condition!

So now Big Red has a little brother... and soon i will post more pictures of Elvis and all the fun stuff that i am going to have to do.... the great thing about it is that i have been waiting for this for a while so i know where to get the parts and am ready to get my hands dirty to get Elvis Rockin!

Lets do some Classic Motoring!

~Tim (and Amanda)

On The Road

2007-12-04T22:34:00.000+01:00

A beautiful day for driving, Amanda and I are traveling back south to Richmond to spend some time with my family before the big trip. More when we can.

Let Motor, and Blog!

~ Tim & Amanda

Weather In The North!

2007-12-02T22:38:00.000+01:00

Happy Holidays! I hope that this finds everyone in greats spirits... Amanda and I Just finished putting up her parents Christmas tree and I thought that i would put up a new post... We are still in Erie, and having a wonderful time. This season is all about time with family and we are doing that the best we can this year...

Less than two weeks until the big move and its nice to see some cold weather... The posted photos are from Presque Isle during our running around we decided to get some pictures of Red in a new spot! More to follow when we have something!

Lets Motor for the Holidays!

~ Tim & Amanda

"Great Taste In Cars!"

2007-04-12T20:04:00.000+02:00

So we pulled into the Oakmont Services on the Penn Turnpike and parked next to a white MINI convertable and as I was taking the below pict the owner walked and said... "Great taste in cars." Good to see other Motorers on the road.

Lets Motor on the Pike!

~ Tim & Amanda