The Phoenix - The GP Roadster Project

Discussion in 'Car Builds, Projects, Idea's Experiments' started by BlimeyCabrio, Jun 24, 2014.

  1. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    Crap!!!
    Glad to hear you are reasonably well...heck...just living through that wreck you did fine...
    Not sure if i have ever seen a picture of a MINI in worse shape that everybody survived without SERIOUS Injures...guess that means the seats, harness, and rollbar did their jobs!!
    Looks like another MINI dies a glorious death so the owner could live...would have loved (not sure that is the correct term if you know where I am going) too see that wreck on video...
    Good luck finding a replacement.... Guess the new car will have parts of 2+ other dead cars being kept alive on it...might have to rename the new car "Frankenstein" or incorporate it into the name!!
     
  2. Whales

    Whales Well-Known Member
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    Dec 28, 2013
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    Paul- I'm so sorry to see this! Thank God you're OK! You're in my prayers!
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    Paul, I'm so glad you are mostly unscathed.
     
  4. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
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    OMG, Paul...what a scary way to test your safety equipment! :frown2: At least you know it works, though. I'm sure glad you came out of this pretty much unscathed, and am wishing you all the best in your recovery and beyond! :Thumbsup:
     
  5. Canusrufis

    Canusrufis RMW Powered R53
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    Nov 27, 2013
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    Wow... need to digest this one... Speechless. 2nd the others. Glad you're ok Paul. Lot of gen1 verts available around Winston needing a stroker.:D. Heal and get living again soon.
     
  6. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

    Nov 9, 2013
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    Really sorry for your troubles Paul. Like another member, when I saw the first picture I thought it was a joke. I'm sorry it wasn't. I guess there is never a "good" day to test your safety equipment. Thankfully you came out relatively unscathed and you're already planning your comeback.
     
  7. Zillon

    Zillon Well-Known Member

    Jul 12, 2014
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    Well, that's one way to test your handiwork...

    Glad you're ok, at least!
     
  8. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    May 4, 2009
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    Thanks everyone. Really means a lot to me.
    It probably was the safest topless MINI I could have done that in. Stiff and achy and mourning today... But also happy to be here and have the opportunity to rebuild, with both arms/ hands.

    That really couldn't have gone much better. Might have the next bar built a few inches wider...
     
  9. DryMartini

    DryMartini New Member

    Dec 6, 2012
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    So glad you're fine! Those photos show MINI and you sure build them well.
     
  10. minirab

    minirab Well-Known Member

    May 6, 2009
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    The best to you and your new baby!
     
  11. Rainman768

    Rainman768 Active Member

    May 3, 2012
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    As others have said I thought the fist pic was a bad joke. Holy cow. Glad you're still alive.
     
  12. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    I'm going to go with a full cage at some point, you've convinced me....
     
  13. Shifter

    Shifter Member
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    Jun 8, 2009
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    Like everyone else, I'm relieved you're OK and a little sad about the car. Clearly the execution of your GPR design vision is crash-worthy; a testament to your clear thinking. You've provided such great reading, viewing and inspiration that I know everyone here is hoping you'll continue when able. I'm sure I write for more than just myself when I say I look forward to your posts not only as entertainment but for learning, on many levels. This is a good time to say 'Thanks' for all that. Heal soon.
     
  14. Jan

    Jan Well-Known Member
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    May 16, 2010
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    might as well do it while it's here......already caging another car that's here:devil:
     
  15. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

    May 15, 2012
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    Wholly CRAP Paul!
    So sorry to hear about this, but thank GOD you are OK!
    Cars can be replaced, and at least you made every precaution to make sure you stayed safe if this ever happened, that is all that matters.

    Take care of yourself, then search for another Cabrio to take its place. My fingers are crossed hoping you can get another and rebuild it better than before.
     
  16. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    Seriously? Add it let's do it! Save me the trouble of finding someone here. Paul's accident is an eye opener. Wife actually has been pushing for it anyway.

    Steering wheel and hub--thoughts?
     
  17. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

    May 15, 2012
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    Keep at it CCT before you know it, you'll just tell Jan to keep your car and to send you your own X-1!
     
  18. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    When you add it all up, it's probably close, lol...

    Definitely doing the cage, they're doing another one now so it'll be relatively easy to double it up. Halo seats/Hans in the future too, after hearing what Jan thinks the top speeds in this car will be, it's pretty much a must.
     
  19. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    May 4, 2009
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    I just went out and walked the scene and figured out what happened, mostly. The punchline is... the car did an end-over! Planted the nose in an embankment (after plowing down a deep ditch for about 100 feet), the rear end came over, I flew upside down for about 20-30 feet, and landed on the left rear corner, on the shoulder of the road... then the car just flopped back into the roadway in turtle position. So I don't think it ever "violently" contacted the cage , just rocked on the corners a bit as the car settled into place. Really wish I had video, because it would have been one of the most spectacular things to witness...

    I just had to stop and catch my breath when I figured it out. Because there's a zillion ways that could have ended worse, and no way it could have ended better, really. No one walks away from the kind of crash this was... really.
     
  20. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    May 4, 2009
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    Since I didn't really put any load on my bar, I might cut it out and put it in the new car. If I build I new one, I'm going to make it a little wider, and add cowl and overhead bars, after seeing how the windshield frame collapsed.
     

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