I visited the UK MINI Site and downloaded an uber cool 12 minute video of a MINI being made, from sheet metal to being shown on the sales floor.

I thought the MINI assembly line was filled with non-Terminator people. Nope... lots of robots.

The audio sucked so I added my own industrial /electronica tune to it. Took me a long time to get one that matched the pace of the assembly line action and to fit what was being done. I think it works, hope you like it.

Bonus Tip: DOWNLOAD THE FILE FIRST. Then play.

This is the large file [78 MB] for those who have a fast connection:

http://www.heartinsanfrancisco.com/m...faclargest.wmv

This is a medium file [42 MB]:

http://www.heartinsanfrancisco.com/minimanufactmed.wmv

Here is the smallest file, smallest because it's not that good if I compressed it more than this:

http://www.heartinsanfrancisco.com/minimanufact26mb.wmv

OK, update, here is the smallest of the small. Did this just for fun [I know, "this is my idea of fun?"]. 4 MB! Look at it as more an MP3.

http://www.heartinsanfrancisco.com/minimanufact4MB.wmv


Here is a collage of stills I captured with gratuitous hen shots. Just a pic, don't press them, they don't do anything:

 

Thanks for posting the video, it was nice to see an R50 being manufactured.
There seems to be several videos out there of the manufacturing process but they are mostly R56 models.
Now if I could only find one of the R52 manufacturing process.

 

Hello Blondie!

 

Yeah, that's a cool video. I've seen the original and a I agree, the original score is somewhat lacking. In fact, it's almost like static or white noise!

THANKS for giving this video a much-needed injection of life!

I haven't seen ANY videos of R56s being produced. Are there similar videos showing this?

 

txs for links.. enjoy it

 

Try this one but I know theres others.

 

Thanks, Cabriopilot.

A word on MichaelSF's video; it's better to download it to your computer before viewing. I watched it twice. The first time, without downloading and the second after I downloaded it to my computer. It paused quite a bit without downloading, even though I have broadband, but once I brought it to my desktop and viewed it, it ran very smoothly. Cool that (one of) the car they assembled was CR/W; that's what I'm getting. It should be here any day. It just hit port yesterday!

I think the music was choice. It reminded me of the double-latte direct-injection score from "Run Lola Run." Very energetic. And I loved the end credits. Very creative. Right down to the ghoul and cat screech.

 

Don't want to burst your bubble AvidMINI, but my MINI's been at the port since 8/11 and will be sitting there gathering dust until the 6th. You might be lucky enough to get your car sooner, but don't hold your breath.

I watched that video myself after I'd ordered my MINI, and while mine was being built, I kept rewatching various sections of it, imagining my MINI undergoing the same process.

 

Thanks for the tip, I added to the post to include that it is best to download the entire file first.

 

Oh well, I guess I'll have to take the bus to work a bit longer. Silly Owner's Lounge suggests my ETA is this Sunday, August 24th. Heck, I waited this long, I can wait a while longer...

 

Yeah, see, the OL said my delivery date was 8/18. Until 8/21 when it changed to 9/6!

 

I saw this linked in your sig last night and enjoyed every moment of the viewing!! Very cool.

 

The news just keeps gettin' better...

Check out this email I got from my MA:

"Chris,

Thanks for following up with me.

I found out from my manager today that we are expecting your MINI to arrive
sometime today. This means that we are prepared to have service inspect and
then have the MINI detailed as soon as it arrives. I will call you to
confirm its arrival and set up a time to have you pick it up soon.

Sound good?

Creed @ Niello MINI"

Sounds bloody good, if you ask me!

Must be my lucky day. Janet, I wish you the same!

 

Yeah, well I've apparently run out of luck. I think my satisfaction survey will be all 0's on getting this car. Honestly.

 

I had seen this video before, but not with all the extra "twists" added. Thanks for sharing.

 

Well done, Michael! Perfect fit with the music, and I enjoyed the closing credits, to boot.
Wonder if my ride was one of the left hand drives I saw going thru there? Something to dream about.

 

Does anyone have a video of the Clubman being assembled? We Clubbies would love to see it!

 

Thanks... and I suspect that was your MINI being made. Wish I had a video of MY MINI being assembled, even if it was actually mine, to see the fruit of my loins would be cool.

 

I don't have that, but I do have a lot of Clubman video reviews, commercials and those webisodes. Let me know if you are interested and I will upload them to my server and post in the Clubman section.