Who's Sid Wise guys...Why I oughtaa... Honestly, when I came on board this forum in 03, I didn't recall anyone having their hook on (although this is an old sports car trick going back to at least the Triumph days). Most cars already have their hooks welded in place under their bumpers while Mini's is removable...thus unique. Giving credit where credit is due...Josh (aka, Indiblue) in our club, was the first that I'm aware of who placed the hook on the outside of his Mini.



Yes...I cut holes in M7's Ultimate grill for the lamps and hook. And why bother explaining it...most people think it's the extention cord anyway Others ask why I need so many lamps...I tell them I'm blind

Sid

 

I like it

 

The reason to leave a tow hook in is so that if you go into the pea pebbles at the track, they can get you out quick so you don't deprive everyone else of their track time. If you don't track the car, it is most likely just for style.

 

Hmmm...

I see we have 3 that run with the hook in the Horizontal position (onasled, Twister & MISFITOY).

One runs with it in the vertical (TwOMINIs)

and one at a skewed angle (agokart)

Has anyone done any wind tunnel testing to determine the aerodynamic forces that are produced by such an object in the slip stream and their effect on the performance of the vehicle?

There are all kinds of Bernoulli's being produced and the possible effects are staggering!!

TwOMINIs, does you car tend to oscillate along the horizontal axis?
MISFITOY, does your car show a phugoid oscillation tendency?
agokart, whatever you do, don't turn it to 67.275 degrees from the vertical!!


P.S. just kidding guys/gals I personnally like it, and like the fact that most have done it with a long lasting product, so it will keep looking good.

 

Sorry bout the "who's Sid?" comment, I wasnt sure but I figured it was MSFITOY.
They say imitation is the highest form of flattery:smile: ...and Sid you have given up some great ideas. ie, painted PIAA lettering, sidewall paint, tow hook....what's next? I have to admit you have one of the sweetest looking MINIs around.

Is that red thing in your mailslot scoop a sprayer for the intercooler?
Hey the new lights look sweet

And I do oscillate horizontally Smokey Mine is an 02 and that is just how the hook screws in.

 

Forget the tow hook; let's hear some details about the installation of the lower lights.

 

Yes, please check "what's your winter project" under performance

 

This might distract the punks in my neighborhood from stealing my valve stem caps. They could start a new collection....tow hooks.

 

If you red LocTite the sucker in, they could spend most of the evening trying to unscrew it without much luck.

Which could start a new collection for you -- punk heads.

 

I think it's looks good. And it's just a little detail, I have no idea why you'd get so unravelled over a tow hook. Lately I think people have been awfully harsh when stating their opinions. If you like it, I suggest you do it. And if you don't like it, then why bother responding to the thread. On that note, thanks for the LocTite and the caliper paint ideas. I was just about to paint my calipers, so I'll paint my tow hook at the same time. Thanks for the good ideas.

 

Loctite? I use teflon tape

 

when I had my car dyno'd at Yarrowsports in Providence, he had me mount the tow hook through the rear bumper.How come no one has thought of that!Gee I could be the first on my block!

 

LOL...thanks TwOMINIs. Yes, that red thingy is the IC sprayer. BTW, you can orient your hook anyway you like if you use teflon tape on the threads...just put enough on so it'll tighten up where you want it to stop I've tried the rear bumper hook but it looked wrong

 

Teflon tape is perfect-Thanks.

 

Ok Sid..After lunch today.. I decided to try to get back into the swing of things and check out the NAM sight. Well, I joined back in Sept! So here I am posting probably my first. Ok..The Tow hook is a good one! Yes Sid, your right..this tow hook thing dates back to the 50's and sixties..maybe further. I used to work for a vintage race crew many moons ago in CT and I loved the look of the cars. When I bought my TR6 (see photo in gallery) I wanted the "vintage race look" and I used the hook for track days with my BMW. The crew days were in the late Eighties and the BMW/TR6 thing was 94 to current. Well, we all know the MINI tow hook is the same as the one used across the rest of the BMW range. So naturally I had to do this when my car came about. Well... I know Josh too and as luck would have it his car came in a few months before mine so he beat me too it!! Now he gets the credit!!! Kidding aside..as car designers we all like our "thing" and Josh was sketching hooks on his cars long before he put in on his MINI!! I seem to have an antenna thing and that was replaced as soon as I arrived home from the dealer! Anyway, I (we) was going after a look that has been around for ages. As for usage on the street.. So? It's a neat thing to do, "Free" and I like the way it looks. I will say though..I have purchased a new hook of non BMW origin to separate myself from the rest of my friends! Why? Well, why not? To ask that question is to ask someone why they would get a different stereo or wheels...Sometimes knowing that they will never see the track or enter any ICE competition. It's just something that makes you feel good and that is why we purchased this brand of car right?

Chris

 

Hey Chris...how about posting a pic of your "hi-tech" hook?

 

I would just be worried that someone would just hook up a tow hitch and drive off..

 

I thought about that Sid... I'll have to see if I have one on the system at home. If not..time for a photo shoot!

-C

 

Thought about that, but this is not the first car I've had a T.H. on. If the thieves want the car bad enough they will just do it the old fashion way and grab on to the suspension (ask Christian.. A friend of mine who's car was stolen...dragged from the rear, crushing the Borla). Since most don't even know what the little loop of metal is, an amature might overlook it or think it's too weak to serve their purpose. Then again..most amatures don't have a flat bed. So a prof might (most likely) still go under for a more central location (if access is adequate from the front) since the steering will more than likely be locked and pulling a car biased on one side is a PIA!! (and too slow) Too much thought.. I'm not worried about the car disappearing because of the tow hook.

Chris

 

Like I said...most people think it's an extension cord for the battery anyway

 

Isn't it actually a tie down hook and not a tow hook. Will it really support the entire weight of the car?

 

I didnt literally mean hook up and drive off (I hope not!), I would just be afraid that people would mess with it- either hook stuff to it, or steal it or just play with it.

But if someone asked me what it was I would say it was the end of the yank string...

 

Actually it would... I needed to have my BMW pulled out of a bog. Don't ask. Your supposed to use the hook rather than hook onto something below the car, i.e suspension. Just check out your manual. The hook screws into the bumper beam for a pretty nice set up for a flat bed. But hey...let others think it won't be strong enough. I sort of like the pull start referance!

Chris

 

Yeah I figured but you never know! I do agree with you on the "mess with it Factor". Especially now with my new fancy hook. But hey..I have that fancy aluminum antenna that's more at eye height. Hmmmm...two things to keep an eye on!

-C

 

What is the prefered way to present the tow hook? Horizontal or vertical?