VicSkimmr's Stormtrooper - Cooper Flags MINI of the Month - January 2010

Discussion in 'Featured MINI' started by Nathan, Jan 1, 2010.

  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
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    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    [​IMG]

    1. Please tell us about your MINI when it was delivered. Option Packages along with the Year, Model and Color. [imgr]http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/571/medium/IMG_9420.png[/imgr]

    I purchased this MINI in October 2007. It started life out Chili Red with a Black roof. It has minimal options: MFSW, LSD, White Turn Signals, a sunroof and Rear Fogs.

    2. Why did you choose a MINI?

    I've always loved MINIs ever since I saw The Italian Job in 2002. This is my second MINI and I also own a classic Mini.

    3. Please tell us about the various phases your MINI has taken as your mods progressed.

    After the car was delivered I immediately added a JCW aero kit and a set of anthracite R99 wheels. Soon after I began working on covering all the chrome bits in black vinyl. Once that was done I decided to paint the headlight housings black to complete the look. The last bit of the first phase was checkering the roof in large 12" white checkers.[imgr]http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/571/medium/IMG_1219.png[/imgr]

    The second phase of my MINI's life started in April this year. I'd always wanted an Alpine White MINI, and I finally decided to try vinyl work on a larger scale. I ordered a roll of satin white vinyl and decided to give it a shot. The first weekend was terrible and disheartening, but I finally managed to get the hood wrapped. After that things moved faster and by mid-summer I had the entire car wrapped. The second goal I had was to clean up the look of the Cooper S, so I began installing some trim pieces from a Cooper. So far I've installed a Cooper spoiler, scuttles and gas door.

    Once that was completed I located a set of 18" Tenzo DC5 wheels in bronze and installed a set of Vmaxx Coilovers to complete the look.

    [imgl]http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/571/medium/IMG_3595.png[/imgl]4. What has been your modification philosophy?

    My philosophy has changed over time, and to be honest when I first bought the car I didn't have one. Right now my philosophy is to simply the lines of the car as much as possible. And with all MINIs, a proper drop is always a necessity.

    5. What has been the most difficult mod completed to date? Why?

    The most difficult mod was easily the vinyl wrap. It pushed myself to the limit for patience and without the support of the guys on motoring underground I probably would have given up long before it was done.

    6. Where do you research and source your modifications; materials, parts, etc? [imgl]http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/571/medium/IMG_8246.png[/imgl]

    I browse the net extensively, so there are really too many to name, but I spend the majority of my time researching on m|u, and right here. Occasionally I'll venture over to Mini2.

    7. Have other Motoring Alliance members assisted you? If so, give them a shout out.

    Oh absolutely. The entire community was very supportive of my project and they were vital to keeping me motivated. But specifically, if it weren't for Rally and his extensive knowledge of wheels and suspension, or for Lagston and his knowledge of vinyl, I never would have gotten anywhere.

    [imgr]http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/571/medium/IMG_6946.png[/imgr]8. How did Motoring Alliance help you as a resource in your modifications?

    Unfortunately Motoring Alliance was just getting off the ground when I was working on my mods, but the wheel finder was actually a great help in me determining what wheels would look good on my car.

    9. What are you planning next? What remains to be done? What are your goals?

    The exterior is essentially done, but I would love to find a way to remove the antenna and a Cooper D hood may be in the works eventually. The next project is to start on the interior.

    10. Please list all current mods.[imgr]http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/571/medium/DPP_0002.png[/imgr]

    Full satin white vinyl wrap
    Vmaxx coilovers
    JCW aero kit
    Tenzo DC5 wheels
    Cooper trim - scuttles, spoiler, gas door
    DDM Street Intake
    M7 turbo heat shield
    Whalen Shift Machine
    TSW stud conversion
    Euro arches (not pictured)

    More images can be found in the Gallery
     
  2. AZblackOUT

    AZblackOUT New Member

    May 20, 2009
    14
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    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Nice car, congrats!
     
  3. bstaps

    bstaps New Member

    May 4, 2009
    10
    0
    0
    Hose Jockey
    Dallas
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Very nice. I may have to try vinyl on a larger scale.
     
  4. loud9266

    loud9266 New Member

    May 21, 2009
    41
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    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    i love it!
    really looks great
    its amazing what some will do to get rid of CR LOL
     
  5. VicSkimmr

    VicSkimmr MINI of the Month - January 2010

    May 27, 2009
    37
    1
    0
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Thanks guys :)

    Chili Red and myself have a love-hate relationship :lol:
     
  6. Wikedmini

    Wikedmini MINI of the Month - December 2009

    Aug 17, 2009
    304
    13
    0
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    the dopest white mini i've ever seen! congrats!
     
  7. dragonflyer

    dragonflyer New Member

    Jul 9, 2009
    5
    0
    0
    Owner/ Operator od Aesthetic Creations
    Surprise!! AZ
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    The Satin White vinyl was a great choice. I just did all the chrome trim on a OB in Satin White and it looked awesome.

    Great job. Just goes to show all of you that you don't need to paint anymore:cornut:
     
  8. MightyStripes

    MightyStripes New Member
    Motoring Alliance Sponsor

    Oct 29, 2009
    81
    0
    0
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Very nice and congrats!
     
  9. OZChris

    OZChris New Member

    Dec 21, 2009
    7
    0
    0
    Melbourne AU
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Very nice :)

    Great job with the vinyl.
     
  10. sketch

    sketch New Member

    May 24, 2009
    41
    0
    0
    Luxury Motors internet rookie
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Congratz dude. That mini is one of the finest around for sure.
     
  11. Gil-galad

    Gil-galad Club Coordinator

    May 19, 2009
    1,178
    431
    83
    Male
    Decorah, IA
    Ratings:
    +435 / 0 / -0
    A well-deserved victor. This PW guy loves the clean, mean Satin White look. Congrats!

    Just curious...how did you handle the door jams, boot hatch seams, etc. with the vinyl wrap? Did you leave them red? I've always thought these would be a PITA to do with a repaint using a radically different color and I imagine it's the same with the wrap. Assume you didn't fiddle with the engine compartment...
     
  12. VicSkimmr

    VicSkimmr MINI of the Month - January 2010

    May 27, 2009
    37
    1
    0
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Any piece that could be taken off to be wrapped separately, was.

    I had to remove the door handles to wrap the door, that was by far the biggest PITA of the project. I can take closeups of any areas that you'd like to see closer.
     
  13. Lilredscoot

    Lilredscoot New Member

    May 12, 2009
    56
    1
    0
    Jackson MS.
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    CONGRATS!!!!!Well deserving.. Nice wrap:Thumbsup:
     
  14. versus

    versus Active Member

    Sep 8, 2009
    553
    87
    28
    North Carolina
    Ratings:
    +87 / 0 / -0
    This MINI is bananas. :crazy::Thumbsup:
     
  15. wrecker

    wrecker New Member

    May 5, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    Retired / unemployed
    Ida, MI
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Why not just buy a PW MINI?


    Just my opinion, but you just ruined a perfectly good CR MINI.
     
  16. VicSkimmr

    VicSkimmr MINI of the Month - January 2010

    May 27, 2009
    37
    1
    0
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Because I wanted an actual white car. And I haven't ruined anything, it's still the same CR MINI underneath the vinyl.
     
  17. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

    Jun 14, 2009
    1,230
    79
    48
    Technology Architect
    North of the 49th
    Ratings:
    +79 / 0 / -0
    Great looking MINI. That action photo, #5 of 7 really looks fast.
     
  18. Wikedmini

    Wikedmini MINI of the Month - December 2009

    Aug 17, 2009
    304
    13
    0
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    some one didnt read the mod list :eek:ut:
     
  19. nabeshin

    nabeshin New Member

    Jun 8, 2009
    409
    1
    0
    Lincoln, NE
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Well, congratulations on your win. Your's is perhaps my favorite R56.
     

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