OK, so it wasn't a big important car show and technically there wasn't an award for "Best in Show", BUT when the final scores were posted, Nittany was far and away the points leader at my company's car show today. There was some good competition... '68 Mercedes convertible, 70's vintage Corvette (beautiful show car), 350Z, '67 GTO, '04 Acura TL, etc.

Unfortunately, the other car in my class (also a MINI) backed out early this week, so Nittany was in a class by herself . But I was really surprised when she came in with the highest score overall.

It was a lot of hard work, but she certainly got a lot of compliments today. :smile: I just hope it doesn't go to her head!

Nittany, friend and trophy (yep, I striped the little one to match Nittany )...



Clean engine bay (took me half a day to get rid of the last traces of winter in there )...



And a little something aimed at the morons who like to brag about the size of their engines ...

 

Congratulations! Nittany looks great! I seems like a lot of work/fun to get a car ready for a show. Maybe you'll start winning money or gifts for your trouble if you keep it up. Congrats again.

Cheers,

p.s. Where do you get the MINI engine compartment eye stickers?

 

Sweet...I want to work for a company that has car shows

 

Congrats!!!!!

 

Way to go!!! Looks fabulious!

 

Congrats on Best of... it's always an awesome feeling to get that best of trophy. We got our first best of trophy in April this year at the Mini North Scottsdale Reunion.

 

Looks brand new! Congratulations are in order.

If our company is ever trying to come up with new events for our company picnic, I'll be sure to bring up the car show idea.

I also love the eye stickers - where'd you find them?

 

Thanks everyone! I thought I was nuts still worrying about cleaning her up so much after the only other car in my class backed out, but getting the highest overall score made me feel better.

The eyes are something I made myself.

 

Jerseygirl,

I can't imagine I missed your car at MOT. Were you not able to make it? Was looking forward to seeing your car in person...seems like so long ago you were posting about selling the wagon.

Maybe next year?

 

Yeah, we had to back out due to a family commitment that came up. Maybe next year... :smile:

 

Jerseygirl:

What wheels do you have on your car and what size are they?
Thanks!

 

They are Panasport FS-16's (16" if the model designation didn't give it away )

 

Congrats Robyn! Seems like just yesterday I was reading about your new body color interior bits!

Motor-On!
Ryan

 

Good work and congratulations. Besides good looks your Nittany packs a performance punch as well. Next event- autocross!

Those wheels are great- should be standard. Very classic look.

 

:smile: Way to go!! Congrats...

Chow!

Donna :smile:

 

thumbs waay up!

 

Jerseygirl, do you know if your wheels come in 17"?

 

Way to go, Robyn!! Nittany is one of the best lookin' MINIs anywhere, much less at the company outing! You have some of the best individual mods I've seen on a MINI, I know how much hard work you put into it - and it has paid off. Cool li'l MINI, too! Again, congrats!


BCNU,
Rob in Dago

 

Yay, Nittany!! Robyn, your girl is one of my very favoritest MINIs of all! She's GORGEOUS!! All that hard work is definitely well-worth it! I'm so inspired now....I'm giving Wanda a thorough cleaning tomorrow...especially the engine compartment!! Any tips for the best way to clean under that bonnet?


Clo/Wanda

 

Boy and I thought that waxing Poco's valve stems was hard work
Way to go ,looks GREAT

 

Good job and congrats!
Luv the blue!

 

I'm almost 100% sure that 16" is the largest size the Panasports are available in.

Well, I'm sure someone will yell at me for doing it "wrong", but here's what I did...
1. Very carefully hose down the engine. My spray nozzle has an adjustment to very the flow of water so I turned it way down to almost a trickle.
2. Spray a little Simple Green on the grungier areas, avoiding any of the blue (in my case) painted bits.
3. Do a little scrubbing where necessary and then carefully hose everything down again.
4. Dry EVERYTHING, reaching as far into all the little nooks and crannies as you can possibly reach. This is what really makes all the difference. It takes time, but it's worth it.
5. Get out your detailing product of choice and start going over all the black plastic bits and rubber hoses. I removed the intercooler cover and the air intake for easier access to some areas.

Tips:
1. Find something to sit on. If you're not uncomfortable and bent over the engine all the time, you'll probably be willing to spend a bit more time cleaning. I have an adjustable rolling stool I found in the automotive section of Sam's Club.
2. Allow plenty of time. I started working on my engine around 4pm when I got home from work and finished up that night around 8 or 9. It's slow and tedious but when you step back at the end, I'm sure you'll like the results.

Good luck!!!

 

Nice wheels!

 

SWeeeeeTTT

 

Mucho very nice. Congratulations on your victory. Take no prisoners.