Hey Charlie,

Did something change? Are you sure that's not D street for the JCW? 2014 Cooper S was D street until I added the strut bar. Nobody was running D street anyway so I ran STX for some competition. The extra power is going to be a hallucinogen.

 

I couldn't quite grasp your question until I went back and looked at my previous post... OOPS!.

- now corrected....

Charlie

 

Well after a few days waiting for the title/certificate of origin to show up, today is the day...

July 10th order date, August 30th delivery to me. Seven hours left to wait.

The crash parts in the front end returned -.8 degrees of camber.

I reckon this will be a very good day.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

The target was -1 degree on all four corners - we got pretty close....

 

Why do I feel like this is like waiting for Christmas morning?
Very happy for you, Charlie. I hope you enjoy the day thoroughly.

 

The torch passes. Ten minutes later the plates had moved.

 

So Gollum and I have been introduced, to the tune of mebbe 60 miles or so. A little highway, some back roads, the usual mix here on Cape Anne.

No regrets.

I baby a new Mini for at least a tank, then change oil and filter, because I am old and do not trust the metallurgical and machining progress which has made such careful break-ins optional.

The new car looks almost black in the shade, although clearly green in direct light. The profile, chassis, interior, and pedals are all the same. Muscle memory allows a 5th to 3rd downshift with heel and toe and a nice double clutch. It's like a new version of a familiar sneaker.

The gears are markedly shorter than the B38 F56 that was Gollum III. The good news is that my habits based on the music of the exhaust now cause me to be 5-10 mph slower in most gears. That should keep me from drawing the attention of the local constabulary.

Of course that also means that the additional horsepower paired with shorter gearing will make this new car really quick (once broken in) with the trade-off of mileage and 2nd gear top speed.

The chassis is as stiff as Gollum III, which bodes well for a low roll rate and good autocross performance.

So right off the bat I am in love, and patiently awaiting the further revelations that this final and most feisty Mini will unearth in the coming days and weeks.

The inaugural Solo event follows Nationals, in a few weeks.

Cheers,

Charlie


9.6 Miles at delivery,,,

 

Congrats Charlie. Im sure you will find it was worth the wait. Fine looking automobile.

 

Way to go Charlie, G-IV looks fantastic. I can't wait to read about all your adventures with the latest Gollum.
chuck

 

Surfers at sunrise, along the Rye Coast.

150 miles so far, still adjusting for the new gearing and featherfooting. I'll get a baseline mileage number out of this first tank.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Very Nice! My JCW has been stuck in "Scheduled for production" for 2 weeks now, but the long wait is totally worth it for moments like that

 

300 miles now, and almost through the 1st tank. Mileage on the computer has jumped from the initial value of 17.6 to a current value of 28.3. I've a love hate relationship with the break-in approach, as it is immensely respectful and yet infinitely tantalizing.


Gloucester Harbor from the State Pier.

 

Tuesday I'll have my friends at MoP change the oil and install the racing harness.

And then I will leave for Tennessee.

Because Gollum needs a Tail of the Dragon decal on the B pillar, and there's only one way to get that...

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Car looks great! Have fun on the dragon!

 

Thanks to you, who have dropped by and shared these early tales.

I wish the best for all who now have gathered in Lincoln - travel safely, and race well!

Cheers,

Charlie

 

What do you have as a race harness?

Have fun with the Dragon.

 

Just the usual 4 point that snaps in - it's been with me since the beginning.

Here's Main Street in Gloucester, across from Rose's - where the Crow's Nest has held sway for two generations of Sousas.

The gent out front is the 14 time champion of the annual Greasy Pole contest, part of Saint Peter's Fiesta.


South across Main Street. Note that there is an extraterrestrial limousine passing up the street..



Cheers,

Charlie

 

Today's the day! Oil change, end of break-in, and departure for Tennessee.

Yee-haa!

Charlie


A bien-tot Gloucester.

 

How come you went with -1 camber in the rear? Wouldn't you usually want around -1.5?

 

Rotation.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

This would be for autocross. I would not recommend this for the street or the average track day person. They may find they may have undesirable rotation at a very inopportune time.

 

How's the trip to Tennessee going or will you take a detour with the hurricane coming that way?

 

I'll have the story together tomorrow - I promise!



Thanks Killboy!



Cheers,

Charlie

 

A bit of body roll there....

You wouldn't be a little bit above the posted suggested cautionary speed for that curve, would you?



Nice picture

 

All four tires are on the ground...

But I agree, and one conclusion from these trials is that an even stiffer rear bar is indicated.


Thanks again Killboy!




Cheers,

Charlie