Mark,
actually now that I have seen this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d15u...1&feature=fvwp
I have to think you didn't do enough to your car

But really, maybe you can improve upon a Miata, but a Mini - no . Stripes, decals, paint make it individual but the basic car is great!

 

So, did you make it to Roebling

 

No, last week I had a nut come off my ball joint connecting the ball joint to the spindle.

Before I get back on the track, I want to go through the ENTIRE front suspension we took apart and make damn sure everything is secure and safe.

It's one thing having it come apart and making myself crash, it's another dragging someone into it with me.

I will be going soon though... I just want to make sure I get all the bugs out of the car.


Mark

 

Heard about that ...That sort of thing has been going around ...At Monticello a friend who lost 2 lug nuts off one wheel and the other 2 were lose. He was smart, noticed things weren't quite right and pulled over on the back straight and was flatbedded back to the pits. Black flag and all, but better safe than sorry. At LRP a week ago another NAMer broke one changing wheels at the end of the day. All lucky. Brakes and wheels/tires - that's all that counts .

Say, when you do get out I'll like to hear your thoughts on the front sway bar you put in. There are mixed opinions on NAM about putting one in. Those who have, like it. Flatter cornering, better exit speed, etc. Others say it will just increase the understeer.

We just had 2" of snow...our season is done. Time to wax the skis

 

Hey Orange,

I just found this thread and I wanted to thank you for sharing it in photo form! I throughly enjoyed the show! I am always fascinated with those that have the knowledge, the skills, the facilities and the creativeness to pull something off such as you did.

I am a dentist whose job requirements are along the lines that you obviously displayed. Focus, Vision, and the End Result! Dude, you nailed it in my books!

 

Mark, you have mastered your trade. If only the rest of people in the body shop industry put in half the effort that you do.

 

Thanks guys.... I appreciate it. I've got one moooore thing I've been working on and it's just about done.


I'll be posting pics soon.

Mark

 

 

Ooooo a suprise?

Time to update the photo on your signature

 

The car looks amazing!

 

Looks great!!! With that amount of work, I think you should have made the hood flip forward corvette style. It would have worked on your car.

 

That would be cool, I seen it done on a Prelude once, he even cut the fenders in half and welded them to the hood so they would come up to.

If there was a cheap and somewhat easy way to make my R53 do it I would.

 

Your work is absolutely amazing !!

 

Somehow I have never considered the terms "cheap and easy" and "R53 (or R56)" in the same sentence before. I keep expecting the next option from Mini to be a slot on the door that you insert your ATM card into to obtain admission each time.

I love my Mini, but unfortunately, its not been a cheap date.

 

That's not fair! Every time you say something like that, it seems like I'm back on this site every 15 minutes checking for updates.

 

Sorry, been slow on working on it. Between a couple of other projects that have finally finished, I've been busy finishing them... that's why I haven't really been on the forum.

Soon enough... I'll have pics for the final mod that will completely finish this car...

Mark

 

Is it from Group 4 autosports? I can take a guess.

 

Yes it is but with a few modifications....


Mark

 

Mark,
You really like to play with people, right? First it was if you were going to keep the Crush, then it was the color and now you antagonize us with another mod. Ok, it's time for fun to be over with. Just kidding, I'm waiting along with the rest.

Bill

 

LOL, I'm almost done... I've cut everything up and riveted it together for a test fit but was informed I'm doing it wrong...lol.

Soooo, I'll have to remodify my modification and then remake all the panels.

I will give you a teaser pic.

 

Looking interesting. Is this a modified M7 rear defuser? Right, do some modifications and this could look really killer.

By the way, I got the 3M version of invisishield this week. Came out pretty decent. Also, put the Michelin ICE in the next size up, 215x45x17" to use my Black Challenge wheels. Seeing those tires on the floor, before being mounted, I thought that maybe i'd gone a bit far on the size. But, on the wheels, they look just right. Still thinking about 18"ers for the Spring. Lots of time to think about that.

The dealer, yes I went to the new Mini Dealer for the protective shield, I asked them about installing my carbon fibre door handles. He shot me a price of $160. for the two, and would throw in the hatch cover handle. I, think that I might have him do the install. What do you think? Right, rediculous. I don't think that he knows what he is getting into, and I am not going to tell him, either. Let him find out the hard way. Shucks I'm mean.

 

No, this is the Group4 rear diffuser. They don't make it for the R56 that fits "inside" of the stock diffuser on a JCW aero kit... thus the reason I'm modifying it as necc.

160 bucks to install the handle covers... jump on it. Breaking the glass is pretty common on the R56 while trying to adjust the door glass. (which has to be removed to install the door handles)

If they break it, it's well worth the 160 bucks.

I'm running 225's on mine and they fit great...

Mark

 

No need to remove the glass in order to install the door handles, at least I didn't have to remove mine when I installed my cf handles .

 

Looks terrific Mark. Are you running 225's on 7" or 7.5" rims? I remember you once mentioning you picked up a set of OZ wheels but I couldnt recall the size.

Nice signature photo too

 

Your car looks awesome .