I put a few mods on Fiona since I got her - just sharing because, well... "because".

First, I pulled off the big, chrome "GB" on the boot - I kow they're "traditonal" but I don't like 'em. A small enamel Union Jack is classier - I'll write "Fiona" in small chrome letters over this when I get them. ALso shown is my temp tag until I get my custom plates:



The interior has some new additions - first of all, seat extenders! OMG how did I tihk I didn't need these???? The car is so much more comfy with just that extra 2-3 inches:



New center cap badge - UJ of course...



New pedals - there was nothing on the gas at all - it was just a slightly rusty square. These are a LOT grippier and my feet don't slip off:



ANd yes - I went to thew Goodguys Hot Rod show this weekend and couldn't resist this little bit o' Americana. I may love British cars, but I'm also an American car nut, baby.






Last, I replced the front badge with the winged logo - now both the boot and bonnet are "winged" with proper green center badging. I know that Minis didn't come standard with tis badge till later in the run, but I personally always wantedthis logo on the car of my dreams:



PLANNED NEXT:

- Second set of driving lights (need to pull all the old wiring - ick)
- Tachometer installation (got a nice black Sunpro unit with cup and mounting hardware at the Goodguys show)
- 3rd brake light
- Orange interior cabin lighting (replica color to current new MINI orange lighting - will put in dash and in gauge binnacles)
- New carpet (black)
- New seat covers (black w/ gray stripe)
- New air cleaner (K&N)
- New needle for carb (likely required with new air cleaner)

So many MODs... so little money.

 

Matt, Fiona is looking fantastic and your up coming plans will really add to it. I won't mention your shift **** to Doug Whalen if you don't. I love it. I had one one on a 38 chevy years ago

 

Lovin it. Especially the UJs. Need about 40 more UJs and you'll be on your way.

A couple of days ago I actually considered the skull **** for Blimey - for about 2 minutes. Then did the "Nahhhh.... I'll get a UJ Whalen instead..."


Can't wait to see it with the carpet and seat covers - that will make it look like a different (more manly ) machine, I think.

 

Hey Matt,

Nice mods. I like the skull. Gotta have a bit of Americana in that machine! How's the rwd experience going? I've only driven rwd once, and it was really, really freaky. I tended to hug the shoulders. Are urban left turns a bit dicey?

I'm with you on the GB. Small UJ much nicer!

 

i've got a GB on my Mini too and am tempted to take it off because of the number of times i've been asked if it stands for George Bush.

 

RHD driving is becoming second nature by now... No problems. Shifting and everything else is effortless at this point, as is changing back and forth betweeen LHD and RHD. It just took a while.

 

Your new mods look great. I'm getting started with my Mini but it's going to take some work and some money... How did you get temp tags for your mini?

 

I applied for my title and got a 30-day generic temp plate at that time. Then, when I got my title (a week later) I applied for a custom plate and got the temp that's on there now.

I'm not sure if it's different in other states, but in Ohio it was pretty easy...

 

I guess it might help if I had my title, eh?

 

Um... yeah. LOL...

 

Weird. I just noticed your door handles are pointing down while mine are pointing up. Which one of us has it right?

 

Well, seeing as how the screw can be loosened and the handle repositioned, I suppose it's however feels the most comfy.

 

it's supposed to be pointing up. but if you are comfortable with it pointing down then it should be fine.

 

very nice mods Matt!

 

Was replacing the grill badge hard?

 

Nope - the old one was held on wth plastic caps - 15 seconds with pliers had them off. Then the new badge just stuck on overtop the old holes. They were painted 100% so I didn't even need to seal them first.

 

Where'd you get your badge at??

 

http://www.gbcarparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=WingsUJ

They have Union Jack centers, as well as the Mini logo in a variety of colors. My car came with a winged badge on the rear with a silver roundel, so I ordered a second winged badge with a green center for the front and a replacement roundel for the rear (it's just a domed sticker). It peeled right off and now both the front and rear of the car match.

The hardest part was getting the Mini logo on straight - it helps to have a second person standing at a distance (8 or 10 feet) that can make sure you're stickign it on straight...

 

Look what *I* got today...

 

Looking good

I for one love the interior colors

 

FIONA... too cool.

VASTLY BETTER THAN A GB (nothing against GB, though).