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Marcel's introduction.

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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 06:31 AM
  #1  
marcel74's Avatar
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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 );
* 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:
 
Attached Thumbnails Marcel's introduction.-checkered_red_and_white_02_klein.jpg   Marcel's introduction.-checkered_red_and_white_24_klein.jpg  

Last edited by marcel74; Jun 28, 2007 at 06:34 AM.
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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 08:20 AM
  #2  
Gromit801's Avatar
Gromit801
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Welcome! Very nice looking Mini.



Where in the netherlands are you?
 
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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 08:32 AM
  #3  
old81's Avatar
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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?
 
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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 11:03 AM
  #4  
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Donna/Mike
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From: Moved from Leesburg, VA to Oceanside, CA Nov. 2003
Hi - welcome - from Southern California.. Your MINI is beautiful...

Donna
 
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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 12:39 PM
  #5  
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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!!!
 
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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 03:58 PM
  #6  
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Thanks for the very kind welcome !!!


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



@Gromit
I live in a rather small town called Pijnacker, 10 kilometers north of Rotterdam.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 04:19 PM
  #7  
batgirlwildcat's Avatar
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Originally Posted by marcel74
Although some might find the concept a bit over the edge, it really is " my personal Mini" now
I wouldn't know anything about that. Welcome to NAM! Very cool MINI.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 04:52 PM
  #8  
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From: In a state of confusion....
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.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2007 | 05:44 PM
  #9  
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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.
 
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Old Jun 29, 2007 | 05:45 AM
  #10  
jjbug's Avatar
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Your car looks great! I love the checkered dashboard and mirror caps!!
 
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Old Jun 29, 2007 | 05:47 AM
  #11  
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rooandren
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From: Boston, MA
That's one terrific checkered CR MINI! Welcome!
 
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Old Jun 30, 2007 | 01:16 PM
  #12  
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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.





and from above:
[/quote]

I am now officially (and certified) happy !!!
 
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Old Jun 30, 2007 | 01:51 PM
  #13  
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Looks good one of a kind!
 
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Old Jun 30, 2007 | 02:17 PM
  #14  
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From: In a state of confusion....
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!

Originally Posted by marcel74




and from above:
I am now officially (and certified) happy !!! [/quote]
 
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Old Jun 30, 2007 | 02:32 PM
  #15  
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I like it!!!!!!
 
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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 02:05 PM
  #16  
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From: Netherlands
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:
 
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Old Feb 3, 2008 | 03:32 AM
  #17  
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From: Netherlands
Just another update with the sideskirts installed

A major difference when I had the Sideskirts installed: see attached photo!


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.
 
Attached Thumbnails Marcel's introduction.-marcel-mini-bij-hek.jpg  

Last edited by marcel74; Feb 3, 2008 at 03:33 AM. Reason: photo link
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Old Feb 4, 2008 | 09:22 PM
  #18  
djmatthewcooper's Avatar
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where were u able to find the venders that make the checkered dashboard and door panels?
 
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 12:16 PM
  #19  
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From: Netherlands
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.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2008 | 01:19 PM
  #20  
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hello i would like to showoff again



here it comes; the new wheels:
 
Attached Thumbnails Marcel's introduction.-witte-velgen-gemonteerd-3-aug-2008-008-small.jpg   Marcel's introduction.-witte-velgen-gemonteerd-3-aug-2008-010-small.jpg  
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Old Aug 6, 2008 | 01:37 PM
  #21  
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Red Dragoon
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That is one awesome checkered MINI. Most distinctive. Enjoy the motoring.

CROC 411
 
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Old Aug 6, 2008 | 11:28 PM
  #22  
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I like your roof pattern too.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2008 | 01:28 AM
  #23  
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From: Planet CROC
I like your roof pattern too. -- marcel74

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

CROC 411
 
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Old Oct 28, 2008 | 04:41 PM
  #24  
marcel74's Avatar
marcel74
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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.
 
Attached Thumbnails Marcel's introduction.-marcel-op-de-engelse-snelweg-foto-door-tbl-.jpg  

Last edited by marcel74; Oct 28, 2008 at 04:44 PM. Reason: pictures added.
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Old Nov 29, 2011 | 03:29 PM
  #25  
marcel74's Avatar
marcel74
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From: Netherlands
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
 
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