Not much being done with MINIs the last few days, eh? I drove mine up to Lake Texoma to photograph a 1929 Packard. It was all back roads, and driving home was in the dark. I reduced the flying insect population of Denton and Grayson counties significantly last night. At some points, it sounded like rain hitting the windshield. So, today was wash the bug guts off the MINI day. BTW, below is a shot of the Packard, if anyone is interested. I love pre-war Packards. CD .
Washed the R53. Then I took the wheels off the Helmet and washed the backs of the wheels and the suspension and gave it a very good bath. Tomorrow I will get up early and through some wax on it. The its off to put it in the Euro car show. On a side note I am disappointed in all of us MA'ers. I posted a problem with my radio and not one person said CHECK YOUR BATTERY. Guess what when I tried to pull the Helmet out of the garage the battery was DEAD! Tried putting a charger on it and it just started acting flaky. So new battery was installed but I did not register the batt. I guess it is going to get a trip to the dealer.
Where 'bouts on Texoma? I practically grew up on that lake in the 1950s-'60s (well, what growing I didn't do on Texoma, I did along the shores of White Rock Lake in Dallas).
The western part of the lake, near Whitesboro. I don't remember if I ever posted this before, but here is a photo I think you would like. It belonged to Bill Neale when I took this picture. It now belongs to another friend of mine in North Texas. CD .
"CLOSE AND LOCK BEFORE MOVING CAR" I love it! BTW: I ran several (organized) rallies in Grayson and Bryan counties back when... I think I hold the World Record for back-roads fastest time between Preston, Texas and Durant, Oklahoma (where I was going to school for a year) in this.
My daughter and I drove our Minis to the new dealership here in Wichita. Got to drive in the Mini Challenge with some friends from work, I was only 2nd quick. Had a great time and the dealership is pretty cool.
Inspection II/oil change at curbside at 102K miles. Had the hardest time yet breaking loose the housing threads (I didn't think I put it on all that tight last time), and getting the filter out - had to rip it out piecemeal, and the metal cylinder in the housing was not out of shape or anything, the plastic cylinder in the element was just stuck on there real good. So the oil change took over an hour, twice as long as usual. I had already gone through the inspection checklist and attended to required items. New Amsoil 0W40 Euro and OEM filter now in place. Good for another 7500 miles before the next change.
Got my MINI all clean and shiny last evening, so I took it out and took a picture of it this evening. CD .
Ordered new rear sway bar bushings for my R50...this will be the second time, as the first set didn't fit.:mad2: I have no idea who made the sway bar as it was already on the car when I bought it. I think it may be a Madness, as it is heavy, a 3-hole adjustable, solid steel, red and 22 mm. I hope it fits as I'm sure I won't be able to return it. However, the rattling around on the old worn out bushings is driving me even nuttier than I normally am. :incazzato:
Finally got the GP off jack stands. Ride height turned out pretty close to what I was looking for. Took it up the road and back to get things settled, made it to the bottom of the drive and heard a loud pop and saw lots of smoke. I opened the hood to find PAC MAN! Colin, I sent an order in for a real coolant reservoir.
All I did was stand in the doorway and admire the way the rain beads up on the fresh wax job. Didn't even crank it this weekend.
Spent the last 2 days cleaning all the old coatings from my black trim. Acetone to the rescue. BTW, 'the last 2 days' equals about 2 hrs a day Now to retreat with Dave O.s secret juice...
Had the opportunity to go out for lunch at OSF, a fine Mexican diner, so I treated the 11 Countryman to a fast wash and little TLC when home. Now it will collect dust for a few days since the snow is melting. Don
Took my MINI in for annual PA Inspection and Emissions. Passed Inspection without any issues and I am still Emissions exempt because I put less then 5,000 miles a year on my car. $52.00 and I am legal for another year.