05 August 2008

... Travel Bug

Whos Ready For it?

12 May 2008

Amalfi Coast Run

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...


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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!

05 May 2008

MV Mini Run

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!


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14 April 2008

Nurburgring Prep!

Red's Mean Shoes 004
Tools in hand to put things in place.

Red's Mean Shoes 008
Tires in place.

Red's Mean Shoes 009
Look at the tread.

Red's Mean Shoes 007
Wheels that are as mean as the Ring.

12 April 2008

Reassembled Elvis

Elvis Disassembled Part 4 009
Before some adjustments.

Elvis Disassembled Part 4 024
After.

Elvis Disassembled Part 4 018
Springs up front.

Elvis Disassembled Part 4 016
All the new pieces in place.

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Your favorite Cooper.

Elvis Disassembled Part 4 038
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!

11 April 2008

Disassembled Elvis Part 3

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

Disassembled Elvis Part 3 002
The new Exhaust and intake parts.

Disassembled Elvis Part 3 005
Suspension parts and various rubber pieces.

Disassembled Elvis Part 3 001
Old and new needles and springs for the carb.

Disassembled Elvis Part 3 008
The rear suspension complete.

Disassembled Elvis Part 3 020
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!

30 March 2008

Disassembled Elvis Part 2

OK here are more pictures from today..... Look Ma, no suspension...
Disassembled Elvis Part 2 001
Do these Cups need to be replaced?
Disassembled Elvis Part 2 008
Disassembled Elvis Part 2 003
My Parts Pile Keeps Growing!
Disassembled Elvis Part 2 010
I hope the new kit comes with these ball joints cause these are trashed!
Disassembled Elvis Part 2 011
Springs "The new Cones"
Disassembled Elvis Part 2 013

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

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

Disassembled Elvis 011
The Damage Done.... Broke the tabs off the manifold.
Disassembled Elvis 016
Hi there!
Disassembled Elvis 019
The Rear Suspension setup and the new spring...
Disassembled Elvis 022
Elvis on jack stands.

18 March 2008

Elvis's Sad News

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

03 March 2008

Elvis's New Friend!

Red's First Italian MINI Run 009

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