5th and 6th are for cruising... Do I EVER just cruise?? I pass people.... A LOT.

 

Spotted a EB/W R53 S today walking towards the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Jackson.

#8 Meatballs and checkered stripes on the boot/bonnet. How the hell did you make it past all that construction without scraping anything?

 

Dear BRG Cooper S,
I am sorry i couldn't let you just buzz me on the 94 tonight and i felt the need to blow your doors off.

;-)

 

I hope to come across you on 94 some day. ;-)

 

Oooo, them's fightin' words.

 

Listen Mr. Turbo-powered... sounds like fun! :-)

 

My Misson Control and Manual sticker will own!

 

Funny, i just debadged this morning. ;-)

 

Haha, how ironic.

I've always wondered why people de-badge. Is it to make the beholder of the car to view just the car rather than who makes it or what it's called? More like a work of design/art? Or is it to be more deceitful: the owner of the car doesn't want others to know what it is capable of (i.e. removing your S) to surprise unsuspecting competitors at stoplights or the like? Or is it just an aesthetics thing? People just want a more clean-looking car?

I'd be curious to hear why you de-badged. But just to be clear, I am only curious, not hating on it.

 

Over the years i have run the gamut of reasons to why i have done it.

With the '99 Audi A4 Quattro and '96 BMW 328i it was purely to clean up the rear lines of the car. The entertaining side effect was being accused of having an S4 or M3 respectively due to the performance of both cars.

With the mini, it starts as the higher powered car so just dropping the 'S' badge would make me a ****... i got rid of the whole 'COOPER S'.

Not only does it clean up the rear and make it even(center exhaust on S models) but if there happens to be a silly fool to make the challenge on a Mini and not have the knowledge about the models... his/her own fault.

The only badges i have ever left on a car were the manufacturers name... if in a central-ish location so the car looks the same from all angles.

I find it is pretty rare to de-badge a faster car... most people add badging to make car appear faster.

 

I debadged mine because the "COOPER S" letters were on crooked. The previous owner said he put the badge back on after the original owner removed the badge.

Now if only I could center my exhaust tips ...

 

saw a 3dr parked in front of my desk window... lic plate AIR HEADS

 

+1

 

$10 says there's a broken rubber hanger under the car..

Been there, done that.. Try driving a mini around with only 2 inches of ground clearance... hangers bust!!

 

Saw more MINI's in a shorter distance then I think I've ever seen outside of a CMMC drive. Three on Winchester between 45 and Milwaukee in Libertyville this morning, then two more within a couple miles heading north on Milwuakee. Waved at all five and none returned. :(

 

I never get a wave anymore. Hopefully that changes with my antlers and nose on I know I've seen more smiles anyway.

 

My old stomping grounds! I used to live in both cities! Nobody with a MINI waves at me... I don't know why. Sigh.

 

One was probably me. I was dropping off the MY at Firestone on Milwaukee to get my snows put on. I was having a hard time finding the place so probably didn't see you.

 

I don't think any were a MY. Chili red Clubman, yes though.

 

PW mini, 9:10pm Lake Cook and Arlington Heights Rd, you were headed south I waved, it was dark and I think I heard a honk! Cheers!!

 

RED MINI, a CR/B MCS parked at Lake Forest Doy Park I saw as I was leaving in my Clubman. Then came up on a HC/B Clubman S on 60 approaching Vernon Hills. Got a wave after a beep to get driver's attention. Then a wave back from a blue MINI on St. Mary's.

 

You must live near me, I'm in downtown Mundelein and drive through Vernon Hills all the time.

 

Saw my first coupe in the wild - with temp plates - on the Edens spur about 7:30 thurs night.

 

Gray with white stripe and GP wing near Lake to the 94 northbound... now that was a fun morning!!!

Got the wave and enjoyed the on-ramp.

 

Saw this R53 at Road America for Vintage Fest this year. Nice car..