Does anyone know just what part Bertone played in making the GP? I know that they may have played some part in the design but are these cars actually hand built by Bertone at their factory? If so to what extent? Do they just recieve frames and body parts and assemble. How about engins and transmissions? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks Steve

 

I believe that the cars are built at Oxford on the regular line but with the special parts. I don't think that they could afford to sell a hand assembled car for $35K They're essentially a standard S with stuff removed for lightness, a few special parts added (aero kit, rear strut brace, aluminum suspension parts, and a slightly tweaked JCW engine package).

 

I was under the impression that they will be built at Bertone as well.

It's a very small run of 2000 cars.


Re-tooling necessary parts of the assembly line at Oxford to accomodate the needs of the GP seems unlikely. Especially considering they are working to fill orders of the regular MINI's before the switch to the 07.

 

What retooling would be required. I worked at British Leyland when we made the original Mini and the only time we retooled was if there was a major change to the car such as different sheetmetal that would require say different assembly jigs.
The parts being fitted to the JCW GP car are not very different from say my JCW. It was built on the same line as other MINIs but the build sheet would specifiy that it needed - a JCW engine, JCW exhaust, JCW brakes, a different EMS "flash" plus the badges etc. I also ordered Anthracite headliner and other options. It's the build sheet that specifies what goes on each vehicle. Their system would take care of what parts were required. I would think that shipping partially completed cars to Betone and have them install the "special" parts would be prohibitively expensive.
I may be wrong on this but it would seem that it would be easier to build 200 cars with the same options than 200 cars with 200 different options.
Just my 0.2 worth.

 

The GP model is built by Bertone in Italy. Fact, not conjecture.

 

Gee, that explains why the GP is the most hideously tacky car developed in the modern MINI era. Thank goodness only 2000 of these monochrome mutants will motor the face of the earth; I do pray that most stay in garages where they belong. I wonder who at Bertone signed off on those gawdawful wheels, as well as not matching wheel well plastic to the rest of the aero kit. However, I do like the fact that the nice shower curtain rod in the back will allow the hang-drying of detailing towels or expensive Italian skivvies...

Blah. GP=Goofy Product. Worst MINI ever, IMO, of course. JB

(flame suit on )

 

Sequence, don't hold back! Express how you TRULY feel!

 

A tad off topic? But then again judging by your comments you ain't got anything constructive to add.

Yes the Mini is built by Bertone. Some contractual agreement with BMW.

 

And yet again Mo, no photos in his gallery, so we don't even get a look at what he thinks is cool.

 

I actually really like the GP wheels, call me crazy.