Dakar MINI! Love it.

 

@Stak666 2" lift on all terrains looks pretty cool!
But what I love most is backdrop - What part of the region are you in.?
I'm definitely feeling the SW vibe again.

 

So i went on vacation last week with the Family and the R53 got to sit at home for a week. Went out this morning and she fired right up like i had been driving her for days, so missed her. Got to put a resonator on her though, apparently Florida doesnt like loud exhaust and im not in the mood to get pulled over for it.

 

@Here2Go Monterey Bay CA. Central coast of California in outstanding.

 

This afternoon while sifting through some old photos reminiscing about my previous career - I came across a picture, circa 2003, of project I was contracted to model for a amusement ride company.
Coincidentally this job coincided just a few weeks after I received my pre-facelift 04 R53 which enabled me to reference in aid to sculpting their model.

The details of the work to be done was held confidential. No information was provided to me other than the model was to be used for scan data for an up coming theme park attraction in Ohio (?).
I never gave it much thought after I submitted the model...Until today....I had to google it.


While I can't say that my (borderline/less than accurate) rendition of a Mini Cooper sculpture was actually used to manipulate this into a ride-car, (I'm not sure why they couldn't just scan a real Mini?),
It does bring a smile to my face to remember days gone by when the excitement of the Gen 1 Mini made it's first appearance.

 

Very cool story!

 

If it weren't for the blue car in the ride being an R53 instead of an R50, I would think this was based on the Los Angeles Job.

 

The ride was definitely based on the “Los Angeles Job” as the original name of the coaster was the Italian Job Stunt Track.

 

Yes - (from what I've read): The original concept for the 'Mini Cooper coaster ride' originally debut as the "Italian Job Stunt Track" (circa 2005) as pictured in my previous post.
It only makes sense (to me), now, since I had done a lot of work with Paramount Parks and Six Flags (early on), during those past years... It might be possible that my maquette may have actually been used/scanned (?).
Anyway --
Apparently, in 2007, the original coaster ride was 'de-branded' as the "Italian Job" and renamed as the "Backlot Stunt Coaster"...
But look what they've now done to the original ride-car's aesthetics....


Kings Island - Canada


Kings Island - Ohio

All for the sake of avoiding/expired IP royalties or the branding having less popularity over last 20 years (i.e: the movie).
Undoubtedly stripped of its markings but still remains iconically MINI.

Regardless - Enjoy the ride. Continue to enjoy the pleasure of driving your 1st Gen R50/R53 MINI

EDIT:
BTW - After watching a POV video of the "Los Angeles stunt track" ride; I can only remark as how it pales in comparison the the thrill of driving my R53 in the mountainous area where I now live
The coaster still looks fun enough to ride though.

 

Let me first preface by stating that this should not be construed as an advertisement or endorsement.

I will probably get the eyeroll for this one.
I've long believe in fixing a problem rather than prolong the inevitable with a quick bubble gum and a band-aid.repair.
Chasing oil leaks in a MINI (or German cars for that matter), on the otherhand, can be an endless, sometimes demoralizing and costly task.
A few weeks ago I'd finally gotten around to replacing the oil pan gasket on my Mini that has been leaking badly for years. About 3oz + a day. After replacing the oil pan gasket; I was disappointed to still find a 2" diam oil spot in the drive way each time I parked the car.
It turns out the timing chain cover gasket is also in need of attention. (The timing chain was replaced a few years prior @ 78k mi). Although, I often have avoided/refuse to use oil additives such as "stop-leak" - This time I was swayed into try using the ATF-205 stop leak additive (for the time being), recommended to me by a mechanic/friend....

Before

September 4, 2024 - I added 6oz ATF-205 @104,587 miles.

After

October 3, 2024 - @104,893 miles (just under 1/2 qt of oil leaked in 1 month)

Whilst I won't ignore the fact that timing chain or gasket leak still needs to be addressed...
I am ultimately surprised as a result in just 300 miles.

Today I can rest easy for now.
...That is - until I'll have to dig deep into my wallet and have my Mini up on jack stands once again.

 

Hmm... well, if you don't have time to get underneath I guess we can give this a pass. I fortunately have a completely dry engine. It's gone through all the typical leaks over the years, but since I started working it myself I take that little extra time and attention to make sure things are cleaned and seated properly, and I use a thin film of RTV on those gaskets that are a bear to replace (like on the crank position sensor). I honestly think the bad reputation foreign cars get is from mechanics who don't know how to work on them doing sloppy repairs! I can't tell you how many missing or broken clips, nuts, bolts and other issues I found with my car once I started learning about it and doing progressively more and more of the work on it myself. For example, for years I didn't know our cars were supposed to have a splash guard behind the font bumper (to protect the AC compressor, etc.) because years ago a mechanic took mine off and never replaced it!