Marcel's introduction.
 

Hi guys, my name is Marcel and have been a Mini addict for ages. Have been reading on the forum for some time and though I might register for now.

Although I've always wanted to own a classic Mini, I am still a bit weary of the reliability issues that might come with them. Therefore, in March 2005 (after a number of cars) I chose a new MINI Cooper as my new ride.

Mini type Cooper
colour: Chili Red
roof & mirrors: white

modifications:
* Bonnet stripes white;
* Sport seats;
* Sport steering wheel;
* Height adjustable seats;
* Sport suspension plus (same as the MCS);
* White bright side incidators (JULI-2005);
* Light-in-sight on the windshield (for all those high traffic lights which I cannot see otherwise) (AUG-2005);
* Dashboard cupboard (still to install whenever I have the time http://mixedminiclub.nl/klets/images...s/icon_cry.gif );
* Checkered red&white mirror caps (painted);
* Checkered red&white dashboard;
* Checkered red&white interieur panel door.

Next saturday my checkered red&white roof flag will be fitted.
You will see the main theme in my MINI is checkered red and white. This is something not very common and I had to search a long time for vendors providing such accessoiries that also have good price and good quality. Although some might find the concept a bit over the edge, it really is " my personal Mini" now :)

Now for some pictures: :)

Welcome! Very nice looking Mini. :thumbsup:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y15...rg_preview.jpg

Where in the netherlands are you?

Welcome Marcel74
 

Your 05 is looking great, thanks for the pictures. Good theme with the checkered red&white. Post a picture or two after you get the roof done.

Are you going to complete the theme with red checkers on your bonnet stripes?

Hi - welcome - from Southern California..:nod: Your MINI is beautiful...:thumbsup:

Donna:cool: :grin: :cool:

I dont think they look over the edge. They are very cool! I love the mirror caps so much, I cant wait to see it with the matching roof graphics! Way to go!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Thanks for the very kind welcome !!! :thumbsup: :o


Maybe I'll adjust the bonnet stripes to get them inline with the checkered flag theme, but I am not yet sure what and how I would like them to be.
So let's just await the roof flag first :grin:



@Gromit
I live in a rather small town called Pijnacker, 10 kilometers north of Rotterdam.

I wouldn't know anything about that. :wink: Welcome to NAM! Very cool MINI. :thumbsup:

Hi Marcel. I really like those checkered mirror caps too. And the roof flag will make your MINI "pop" even more. Nice look! Welcome to NAM.

Welcome to NAM!! The red and white checkers are neat looking and the roof should really set it off. My brother dropped in to the Netherlands with the Marvin Gardens operations in WW2. He loved the Dutch people.

Your car looks great! I love the checkered dashboard and mirror caps!!

That's one terrific checkered CR MINI! Welcome!

Hi there guys & gals,

Here is another update!!! Thanks for the previous nice comments.
This morning I went to see the person who would fit my roof flag design. I must say that I am very happy with the result, with the smaller tiles, and the tiles that run onto the edge of the roof.


But I suggest that you check the pictures yourselves in order to form your own opinion.
http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~mderijke/C...7_15_klein.jpg
http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~mderijke/C...7_17_klein.jpg
http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~mderijke/C...7_22_klein.jpg
http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~mderijke/C...7_23_klein.jpg

and from above:
http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~mderijke/C...7_29_klein.jpg[/quote]

I am now officially (and certified) happy !!! :wink:

Looks good one of a kind!

Your MINI looks great. Thanks for following up with more pics! I'm sure there's a constant smile on your face when you motor! :grin:

I am now officially (and certified) happy !!! :wink:[/quote]

I like it!!!!!!:thumbsup:

Hi all,

Since my introduction a couple of months ago, I have done some further modifications to the car.

* new 17-inch wheels
* armrest
* Aero sideskirts are on order as we speak.

Photo:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...1&d=1191704074

Just another update with the sideskirts installed
 

A major difference when I had the Sideskirts installed: see attached photo! :) :) :)
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...8&d=1202038340

I also purchased a set of white 17-inch rims but have not installed yet. I plan to use the white rims in summer and the silver in wintertime.

where were u able to find the venders that make the checkered dashboard and door panels?

www.mini-individual.de

this is a vendor near Dusseldorf - Germany. Note that you can choose between either sticker or painted panels. The sticker is already very good quality.

hello i would like to showoff again :)



here it comes; the new wheels:

That is one awesome checkered MINI. Most distinctive. Enjoy the motoring.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture_0175.jpghttps://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../image0047.jpgCROC 411

I like your roof pattern too. :)

I like your roof pattern too. -- marcel74

Many thanks. There's just something about checkerboard that is so cool.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...icture_261.jpghttps://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../image0047.jpgCROC 411

Well, although I'm still a little bit in love with the checkered theme, the miles kept accumulating and I decided to sell Checkers and buy my big new love.

So since three months Í am now owning a:

Mini Cooper S Convertible (R52) Black Eye Purple
with leather interior, blue top, S spokes , LSD , and integrated navigation.

I attached a nice pictures of me on the highway.

it's been soooooooo long since i last posted here. Still driving the purple convertible that is shown above, and loving every minute of it.

I've kept to the "Always Open" theme ever since i got the convertible, as i am of the opinion that when owning an open car , it's a waste of money if you drive top closed.


So I can now happily say, that I'm the first in Holland to reach 100.000 "Open" Kilometers. (that would be approx 62000 miles).
Pretty sure that there might be Mini drivers on this forum that have similar mileage with the top down? Especially since the weather in most of the US is usually better/warmer/dryer than here in Holland? I use my car all-year, even in rain/snow/hail. The cold record is minus 12 degrees Celcius (=10 degr Fahrenheit). Would love to hear some fellow-thinkers!


Cheers,
Marcel