I guess you could say I have a soft spot for clowns.

 

Hehehe. Horrible circus experience when you were a wee young Sergeant?

My thought was (and still is) this - in the end, it's your car. Do whatcha want. If you want to take a MINI JCW GP and change a bunch of things, go for it. It's just a shame for folks coming on later that there won't be as many examples for them to check out. I'm all for modifying the hell out of whatever you drive, but for something as limited as the GP it makes me wince.

"Dude, did you see the sweet Neon and extra flares I put on my Yenko Camaro?" :D

I would only hope that whatever folks are doing (and it seems most of them are) is reversable. Don't cut the body... don't go changin' up stuff that you can't put back. Please.

 

Cough up $35,000 and any of you sudden GP lovers can protect #0019.

A year ago, all you could read on here were posts from people congratulating themselves on being too smart to buy a GP, and bad mouthing those who had the Cajones to order a GP.

Go figure.

 

I agree with you regarding limited availability cars of all kinds. If you're going to modify it, why not start with the more common model? That said, if I had a GP I'd mod it , but only mildly, and it would all be bolt-on stuff. I wouldn't be cutting up the interior for stereo equipment or switching it to turbo or anything like that.

There are a few things that I would definitely change/enhance however.

 

Better ask Sherry.

 

I have a friend of mine that has a mini and wanted to get a GP also. Problem is, he would want to change a bunch of things on it. Like: Paint the fenders, Lower it, black out the chrome trim......ALL sorts of things. THIS would be a shame for sure. I agree with everyone here when it comes to changing a GP. The car is a special edition car. Change it and it's not so special. And for those of you that didn't read my previous posts here, yes I changed a few things but they're all JCW (except for the lights) and they're ALL reversible back to stock. I would never even THINK of cutting or drilling anything on the car. Again, it would make a special car just not that special anymore.

 

Here's some food for thought. Despite the limited number of GPs, part of what will determine their "collectibility" and (possibly) increased value years from now is how few survive in original or restorable condition, as opposed to the ones that were modified, wrecked or just wasted away. If EVERY GP owner kept their car bone stock, in good condition, low miles and reasonably conspicuous, then some of the "mystique" disappears. A big part of the reason Yenko Camaros, for instance, are valuable and sought after today is not just because of what they are and how few were produced, but because when new they were not considered "cherished collectibles", but were stripped, hot-rodded and put on the dragstrip. Many Yenkos had long drag racing histories, and so the ones still in good enough condition to be restored are few and far between. Frankly, the future value of GPs would be GREATLY enhanced if most owners stripped them, replaced the suspension with coil-overs and other suspension mods, and went racing. Attrition is a boon to collectibility.

 

There's no doubt in my 12 year old mind cloaked in a mid 30s body that you could make a MINI Cooper S faster than a GP and spend less money - but aside from my '64 1071cc Austin Cooper S I've never owned anything that wasn't produced in mind-numbing numbers. (and that one never ran while I owned it)... my thought was - hey, there are only 1 or 2 GPs here in Hawaii. I'd love to own one (and autocross it). Hopefully the market is fair when it's my time to step up to the line again.

 

How dumb do you think I am? I asked her before I posted.

 

Very true. In fact, the only differences between the 2 that actually make the GP faster is a very mildly ported head, an undersized SC pulley and the flash.

For a thousand bucks you can install a 15% pulley and a new flash on an MCS and have something stronger than a GP.

 

...and the JCW exhaust... and the JCW injectors... and a larger intercooler... and less weight (including the trailing arms)... and lighter wheels...

(The GP 18" wheels are the lightest OEM 18" wheel that MINI has offered... they're even lighter than all of the OEM 17" wheels... and almost every stock MCS with the JCW brakes has at least OEM 17" wheels)

I'm not saying the GP is "magic", but I just want to point out that there is more to it than simply the head, pulley & flash. You left out a few other relevant things.

 

bit my toung bit my toung I CANT

NOT!!! sorry not even close. ( my 04 S had the mods.. not even close to the GP )

No I will not be modding my GP ( doent need it ) ( Ok I put a works gill )

To those who dont own, or have never driven a GP, the car is complete. The only way to expain it.. when my 04 had all the mods done, yea it was faster.(not as fast as the GP )and it never all felt totaly in tune.. and doent compare to the GP. The GP is totaly in sync.

As for the collector portion.. NOT predictable.. As a past auto wholesaler,and a frequent visitor to the Barrett Jackson auction...all I can say is... study books on collector cars.

and thats all I have to say about that.

 

Thanks Ric!

GP0019 is mainly stock, but with enhancements. I love the OEM nav in Daisy Car, closest I could get in the GP is a Pioneer in dash unit. But very easy to go back to stock if the car is sold.







The only thing I dislike about my GP is the ohsodull color. Why couldn't a special car have had a special color? I may paint it yet.

 

I have the same system.. although I love the MINI in dash more !!

are you able to use the controls from the steering wheel? Any luck w/ the blue tooth ?

 

You, my dear, are quite the trouble maker.

 

I dare you to paint it Lotus orange. And leave the red mirrors.

 

Well, we have the wire to connect to the MFSW, but haven't installed it yet. You know how it goes, you get it installed enough for it to work... Did not add the Bluetooth interface, may add that later. I just don't use my cell phone that much. Fuzzy added the OEM arm rest and put my Ipod adapter in there. He is much better with tools than I am.

 

You obviously do not know me.

 

Perfect!!! I've met my match. I'll be looking forward to a cantelope-colored GP soon.

 

You mean Swamp Holly Orange? Been there done that got the tshirt. I'm trying to decide on colors suitable for the GP.

Here's my last car:



I'm thinking orchid now

 

Krypton Green?

 

Good idea! I like that!

 

'65 Chevy Evening Orchid? That would look great with the silver top and red mirrors.

 

Repainting a GP? Sacrilege! Nooooo!

... but if you do, want to sell me your GP wheels? If you're going to forever change the "stock GPness" of the car, wouldn't you change wheels too?