After the VDC changed the estimated delivery date three times, we picked up Skeeter on Tuesday (8/14) at 5pm.
Delivery went smoothly and now have 240 miles on Skeeter and no issues so far.









Buster has been waiting over 60 days to meet his new buddy.






Some new toys for Skeeter!




Ready for Two coats of Scotch Guard Water Repellant.






Time to detail rims.




Exhaust cleaned and polished.


Clear Bra line under fluorescent lighting.












Skeeter meets his motoring buddy.








On Saturday the demo Spyders were back in Modesto once again, we had almost two hours on the bikes this time as two people did not show for their times. If the first production run stays on schedule we take delivery last of September/first of October, if so will stay have a few weeks of good weather for some road trips.

Skeeter goes in Tuesday morning for the Ipod adapter and will post some pics if anyone is interested.

 

sweet ride, i love the exterior/interior color combo.

any mods planned?

 

Very nice Tharkun!! Congrats on finally taking delivery.

Hopefully you won't have any issues since the clear bra was applied over the top of the stripes. The venture shield product has a pattern where it doesn't go over the stripes to prevent issues with the bra going over the top of another product on the bonnet. From what I've heard, that can cause problems on the outside edges of the stripes as it leaves an larger gap for things to accumulate as the two products (stripes and bra) overlap.

I'd also recommend keeping an eye out for any "weeping". It won't be as easy to replace a stripe with the clear bra over the top of them.

Skeeter looks great! I was leaning towards that color combination before my wife talked me into the Sparkling Silver. The break in miles can be a pain, , but for the determined, it doesn't take too long.

 

Congratulations

I'm jealous of Skeeter's garage.

 

Congrats, and thank you for reaffirming my decision for a Lightning Blue!

Oh, and how the hell did you get the car perpendicular into the garage?!

 

Thanks

Since my MA was confused and said I did not need to order the anthracite headliner, Skeeter has the lighter color. I was not going to do a re-order, so will just live with it.

As for mods going to keep it mostly standard, may change the hood scoop to the chrome one and also change the wheels at some point. To many other toys to pay for so not going to spend a lot on mods.

 

Thanks

I have had cars with stripes/bra in the past and have had it both ways, so not to concerned about the bra over the stripes. I may change out the stripes eventually and replacing the bra on the hood is not really expensive.
The time consuming thing for the bra is the bumper area, hood is fast compared to that. I noticed yesterday that there was some weeping on the right washer. Skeeter will be in the Mini shop tomorrow morning and I'm going to make a point of informing the SA manager that if it comes to the point of the stripes needing to be replaced, they will pick up the bill for the bra on the hood as well.
We had about 3 choices for colors and narrowed it to two, your silver was the other one, tough choice, but with the chrome packages, went with LB thinking it would help the chrome pop more. I know some try to go the other route, no chrome, but I really like the chrome look.

 

Thanks, seems we like the same color.

I added 32' of flourescent lighting in the garage, because of the house facing north I wash the vehicles after sun down and was tired of detailing in the dark.
I'm one of the few on my street than can actually get cars in the garage, most use the garage as a mini storage. With Skeeter replacing the 350Z he has lots of room, even with his big brother the Mustang GT sharing space with him the issue about being careful of not bumping doors has ended.

 

Lightning Blue ROCKS! (I'm biased )

Re: the garage, I can barely fit Sam in the driveway and open the door without hitting the house. Forget about the garage (doors are less than 7' wide and garage is less than 8')... 1920's house - I guess a model T would fit- barely.

 

Mini color choices are not easy, but very happy with LB and the chrome package.

Parking Skeeter in the garage was simple, backed in pulled forward. He is only 12 feet in length, garage door is 18 feet. Did get some comments from neighbors that have SUV's that can not park a second car in their garage.

 

Since you're in the Tracy/Modesto area, maybe I should grab you on the way if I go up to do the Mini-Dragon up near Yosemite.

 

Congrats! Lovely Ride..

how much where those and from where?

 

Have thought about doing the Mini Dragon, only issue is 3 of us in the Mini not sure the back seat would be great for that long.

 

Kragen Auto Parts has a similar set for about $40. But since Mini does not do tire rotations and I'll save money doing it, I went with the Craftsman from Sears, total cost $80 with tax. A bit better quality and Kragen here in Tracy would have to order it, and did not want to wait.

 

Tharkun,

Great MINI, great garage, good toys, too.

Really appreciate all the pictures and your zeal for the MINI. Post some pictures after you get the new trike with all three in the garage. I have never seen a garage so tidy.

Enjoy your many MINI drives.

 

Congratulations Tharkun! Skeeter looks terrific!
Could you explain what all you were doing with the rims and the Scotch Guard?

BTW - It's time for you to change your signature!

 

Thanks for the great comments, I'm a bit **** about the the toys and the space they live in.
The garage has become to small, so the need for additional storage for the Ninja 650 and Spyder was needed. So I'm just finishing up a shed in the back yard for them to live in.





Should have this project finished up in a week or so, but now having Skeeter.....that could slow progress on the shed.

 

The Scotch Guard was used on the fabric material in the wheel wells, hopefully it will aid in keeping them clean during the rainy season.
The rims were detailed using Prima Wheel Shield to aid in easier cleaning.
But with the brake dust I will most liklely be removing the wheels monthly for complete cleaning/detailing.
Ya changing the sig is on the list.

 

Congrats Tharkun!
Really like the color and chrome on Skeeter... Very nice!

Enjoy & Motor On!

 

Very nice! I really like your interior

 

Thanks I'm think it worked out well despite the screw up on the head liner.

 

Nice MINI! Love the color combo, and that Can-Am thingie is cool! Nice interior, too!

 

Love the car, very nice color choice and a great set of photos.

Would love to hear a few words on the iPod integration once it is done.

Also interested in the floor tile you are laying. Care to PM me with some details. thanks

 

Skeeter is beautiful Great pix - thanks for sharing - love the one's with Buster...

Donna

 

Wow great Mini!. I enjoyed all the photos. It looks like Skeeter and you will be very happy together. Enjoy.