I thought all of you might get a kick out of a project we just completed. It is a fully functional Mini Cooper S desktop computer we built from scratch. It is painted a custom color to match our logo. I took some quick photos to show it working (see below – sorry for the large file size).

It’s kind of hard to tell, but the actual size is 14 inches long x 8 inches wide x 5 inches tall.

Right now it’s running the following:

Processor: 1Ghz
Memory: 512 mb
Hard drive: 40 Gb
DVD drive
32mb on-board VRAM
Built in 10/100 ethernet
2 USB ports
5.1 audio
7 LED lights (headlights, fog lights, logo light and tail lights)
Windows XP

It’s for presentations here at work and runs just about everything we throw at it. It actually makes a cool multimedia computer for home or something cool for the office.

We’re thinking about building more, so I’m interested in your thoughts.

If you have more questions please feel free to email me at apvitale@aiindy.com.

Andrew

 

That's a first. Nice job. Very clever. If you make one in Chilli Red it will have to have the fastest processor

 

BEST. THING. EVER.

Hope you can make these things in large quantities, cuz I think you'll have quite a market here on NAM.

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Wow, very cool! :smile: Great attention to detail. What kind of springs is the car on? I like the ride height.

And do the wheels move? Can you "drive" it around on your desk?
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"In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane." -Oscar Wilde

 

Clearly the most appealing computer "box" ever. Does it have a cooling fan for faster processors? If you can get typical desktop features such as DVD/CD, faster processor, more memory, larger hard drive, etc., then sign me up.

 

Hey that's neat!! How much? How long to order? And does it come as an MC in Indi Blue??? LOL And please, no AMD jokes just cause I got a Cooper! LOL

Richard

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Octane Guy

c3:Lets Motor for a Worthy Cause :::
Or Find a MINI Motorer near you!

 

WOW! I luv it!

Does it come with recordable CD drive, or better yet, recordable DVD drive?

 

What is the data transfer speed, what is the memory storage ? SHOW ME THE NUMBERS Seriously VERY creative , great work, randy

 

I am always thrilled to see someone do something so clever and unique! What a fantastic fun thing!

 

Holy sh*t! That is awesome

 

wow great job............




tony

 

looks a bit more interesting then this: http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/01/12/TheMINICooperSPC

 

WOW! Thanks for all the positive responses. Here are answers to your questions:

1. What kind of springs is the car on? And do the wheels move?

Answer: It's a sheet metal chassis, just like a desktop computer. The wheels are mounted to the metal with screws. It doesn't move around (sorry). That would be cool though.

2. Does it have a cooling fan for faster processors? If you can get typical desktop features such as DVD/CD, faster processor, more memory, larger hard drive, etc.?

Answer: Yes, you can get a motherboard that supports up to a P4 with 3GHz. It has a laptop size DVD drive, which you can get a DVD burner/CD burner in place of the DVD drive currently. Also, it'll support 1Gb of memory and over 100Gb hard drive.

3. How much? How long to order? And does it come as an MC in Indi Blue?

Answer: Not sure yet, but a base system would probably be below $1,000. It could be painted in any color you want. It's a custom, airbrushed paint job. So it can match the color of your own Mini!

4. Looks a bit more interesting then this: (link to other Mini computer).

Answer: Thanks for finding that. That's actually an RC car that I saw in Toys R Us. The craftsmanship is really bad on that computer. I don't think the wheels are even touching the ground. Also, I don't see lights on it.

Let me know if you have more questions. Thanks again for all the positive feedback.

Andrew

 

Chili red Cooper( i see the one u r using is an S ? does it use rims off a tenth scale R/C touring car ? very very cool

 

the ultimate moder. thanks for the view.

 

Question: Does it use rims off a tenth scale R/C touring car ?

Yes, it uses 1/10th scale wheels and rims that have a BBS look.

Andrew

 

A sunroof would be really cool on this thing, too...

 

Really nice.

Earl

 

Is the power supply in the unit? It doesn't look large enough to hold the power supply, I'm thinking maybe its on the floor or something like the G4 cubes had to do?

 

>>It could be painted in any color you want. It's a custom, airbrushed paint job. So it can match the color of your own Mini!

Can you do roof flag? What's the ratio of it comapre to the actual car? 1:8?

 

Pro-Line body shell? Proline wheels? and Tamiya side Mirrors..am i right?
If you can find a Kyosho dealer close by they caryy a reasonable facimilie of an S-lite. very nice work guys.
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Here are some more answers to great questions:

1. A sunroof would be really cool on this thing, too.

Answer: We can paint it to have a sunroof with a tint.

2. Is the power supply in the unit?

Answer: Yes, it is attached to the motherboard. It's a very small power supply.

3. Can you do roof flag? What's the ratio of it compare to the actual car? 1:8?

Answer: Yes, we can do a roof flag. It's all custom airbrushing. It's around 1/10th.

4. Pro-Line body shell? Proline wheels? and Tamiya side Mirrors..am i right?

Answer: Yes, on the body shell. I can't remember the brand of wheels. The side mirrors are off of another Mini Cooper RC car we had.

Thanks,
Andrew