San Diego MINI meet: photos!

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Some of the San Diego MINI folks met for lunch at Gordon Biersch, and here are some photos of the proceedings. We had two dark silvers MINI Cooper S's, two Electric Blue S's, and a British Racing Green MINI Cooper with CVT:










And the one that couldn't get squeezed into the lineup:





The engine of Rob's MINI Cooper:



And the engine of Luis' MINI Cooper S:



Luis' MINI Cooper S was built for the Mexican market one. The engine doesn't look any different except for having different stickers. His was the oldest MINI of the five and it looks like he has the old "left pull" strut tower mounts.

Apparently this MINI is just like the ones sold in continental Europe, so it doesn't have the fender reflectors, and it has the groovy clear taillights:



I suspect these lights are old hat to our friends on the east side of the pond, but they're something of a novelty for us. Here's a shot of the taillights in action (including the rear fog light).


And here's a shot of the dash. Note the speedo in km/h and the red wiper stalk tip. The red tip flashes when the alarm is set. Not visible in this shot: a complete set of toggle switches and a parcel shelf instead of a glovebox.

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Probably the biggest gathering of MINIs in San Diego outside of a dealer's lot (wait -- we have no dealer! -- Escondido is another city) to date.

It was a blast, just swapping stories about our MINIs. They all came from different dealers -- Kansas City, Irvine, Long Beach, Scottsdale, and Tijuana (the 6th, not yet arrived, will be coming from New York). Everyone had great stories to tell.

Perhaps the most interesting was Luis' Mexican Launch Edition. It gave us a close-up look at what is essentially a Euro-spec MCS, with the rear fog lights and full bank of toggle switches and all. The "Chili Pack" is probably appropriate for the Mexican market, except for the heated seats!

Looking forward to the next impromptu, with a few more in attendance. It was great meeting all of you.

[Vanwall]

More pics of the San Diego Meet-n-Eat

First 3 MINIs for Lunch



Dave's EB arrives for the meetin'




5 MINIs, Dave's S, Rick's S, Luis's S, & Brooksie on the right..(look carefully - Joe's S is in the background!)



Joe's Silver S in San Diego Lunch Zone



Lotta Fun! Gotta do another, this time with a drive!

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[xChiliRedCooperSx]

I would love to come down and share stories. Im a young boy though only 18 so the two places you have held the meetings so far i am to you to go to. Maybe chuckie cheeses then i could come.

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I think I'm going to have to put my foot down on the Chuckie Cheese's idea! But I am sorry that we didn't get word to you in time that GB was an all-ages venue.

I like Rob's idea about a drive. Perhaps we should do the next one on a Saturday morning, meet for breakfast somewhere, and drive out to Julian. Rick had posted previously about the Old Julian Highway which sounds like a fine drive, and it's really not all that far from San Diego. Also, we could use this as an excuse to stop at Dudleys and pick up some bread.

And in the ecumencial spirit, I think it would be fun to open up the festivities to classic Minis, but I'm not sure how to get ahold of those folks.

Anyway, first step would be to pick a weekend, maybe a month out? Check your calendars and let's see if we can pick a Saturday.

And once again, it was great to meet all of you on Friday.

Cheers,

Dave

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There was an article in Saturtday's U-T about Highway 94 in the south county, describing what a great drive it is. Another one to consider.

[Coati1]

Have you driven on Wynola Rd, Banner Grade or the road up to the top of Palomar?

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Well, I think anything off the beaten track would be great. I mean, what good is a nice twisty road if you get stuck behind a caravan of motorhomes, SUVs, and VW buses?

[Vanwall]

I saw that article, too. I would like to try that, rather than a Dudleys run. We bopped out to Santa Ysabel to try that out, and boy howdy, was it crowded. Losers in Chrysler Pewkvans trying to out-corner Brooksie but just weaving madly, bozos in good-ol'-boy F150s watching the grass grow instead of drivin', herds of cafe racers on donor-cycles just itching to wipe-out - It was NO FUN.

I've done all the back-roads over the years, and this time of year it'll be tough to avoid traffic. Potrero is a popular camping area, but 94 isn't as heavily trafficked as the others, I'm thinkin'. If you get out far enough in the Northeast, like Scissors Crossing, hardly anybody is there, but it's so dang hot! I'm for Barrett Junction & parts SW. Palomar is usually crowded, too. Any other ideas?
BCNU
Rob in Dago

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Quote:

Originally posted by Vanwall
...94 isn't as heavily trafficked as the others, I'm thinkin'. If you get out far enough in the Northeast, like Scissors Crossing, hardly anybody is there, but it's so dang hot!

Those of us on the air-conditioned coast sometimes forget how hot it is in East County this time of year. And crowded. I'm all for the 94 run, but some time in September, after the Zonies have departed.

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Hey Joe,

I saw you on my way to work today. You were turning left into the Lusk food court om your silver S. Unfortunately, I was *not* driving my MINI today. I hate it when that happens!

By the way, I don't have your email address. I copied everyone's email off of Luis' beer coaster, and sent everyone an email. But I think I got your address wrong, because yours bounced.

Dave

[jwilk]

I hope you didn't notice how dirty it was. I was taking my car in for a bath. It's a good car wash by the way.

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Quote:

Originally posted by jwilk
I hope you didn't notice how dirty it was. I was taking my car in for a bath. It's a good car wash by the way.

No, I didn't. I was in the right-hand left turn lane, and you were about five cars ahead of me in the left-hand left turn lane, and I thought "Hey! MINI!" When I saw the white S-lites I thought "hey, I bet that's Joe." As I turned onto Morehouse I realized it was you, and honked and waved but you were apparently deep in thought.

I have never been to that carwash. The gas station there is evil, 20 cents more than everywhere else, plus it's hard to get in and out of. Anyway, I work just up the hill and walk down there to chow down at that food court from time to time.

I guess I'm still in the washing by hand phase. Only takes me 10 or 15 minutes, and I use the gentlest soap imagineable (Dr. Bronners - if it's good enough for me, it's good enough for my car!)

Cheers,

Dave

[Vanwall]

Im still in the hand wash mode, as well. I'm glad to hear of a good car wash, tho. I REALLY like a good pro wash.

I saw an Electric Blue S getting off the freeway at 24th St in Nasty City... the guy drove within feet of me in Brooksie, and didn't even turn his head for my repeated honking! Must been in a zone. First MINI I see on the road while drivng Brooksie, and it's an anti-climax. Oh well....

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[jwilk]

I had a unusual situation ywsterday. I was at a stoplight. A woman was in a Geo Metro was in the left turn lane. She backed up to see what my car was, then pulled up even with me and gave me a thumbs up.