R50/53 Things You Didn't Know About Your MINI
#1529
#1532
There was a cubby on the earlier cars. It was just a door that popped down and you could temporarily stash a key there. I dont think your supposed to drive with it there.
#1535
#1539
Beer-can rumor
It is a nice story. The only problem is that it isn't true. If you see pictures of the full-size clay model of the MCS, it has a large single exhaust tip that doesn't look anything like a beer can (unless you drink Foster's out of those really big cans). Also, all of the early Frank Stephenson sketches of the MCS clearly show the twin exhausts-- it's not like they were an afterthought.
#1540
It is a nice story. The only problem is that it isn't true. If you see pictures of the full-size clay model of the MCS, it has a large single exhaust tip that doesn't look anything like a beer can (unless you drink Foster's out of those really big cans). Also, all of the early Frank Stephenson sketches of the MCS clearly show the twin exhausts-- it's not like they were an afterthought.
"Mini designer Frank Stephenson explains what a can of Budweiser and the new MINI have in common: "We worked a number of 24-hour days trying to get the full-sized clay model completed for presentation to the board of directors," says Stephenson. "So when we finished the job with just hours to spare, I thought it appropriate that the team have a beer or two to celebrate. That's when I spotted the problem."
That problem was the complete absence of an exhaust tip on the otherwise complete clay. Thinking quickly, Stephenson stripped the paint from his beer can, punched a hole in the bottom, and fixed it in place on the model. It wasn't long before he was called on the carpet by his boss at BMW. "It wasn't the shape (of the tip)," he says, "everybody liked it because it was unique yet oddly familiar. He was concerned that I had wasted a modeler's time milling the piece when his time could be better spent elsewhere. That was when I felt the need to confess." That confession got him stunned silence followed by nearly uncontrollable laughter."(BMWworld.com)
#1541
It is a nice story. The only problem is that it isn't true. If you see pictures of the full-size clay model of the MCS, it has a large single exhaust tip that doesn't look anything like a beer can (unless you drink Foster's out of those really big cans). Also, all of the early Frank Stephenson sketches of the MCS clearly show the twin exhausts-- it's not like they were an afterthought.
#1543
If it's not true, then Stephenson himself is in on the hoax:
"Mini designer Frank Stephenson explains what a can of Budweiser and the new MINI have in common: "We worked a number of 24-hour days trying to get the full-sized clay model completed for presentation to the board of directors," says Stephenson. "So when we finished the job with just hours to spare, I thought it appropriate that the team have a beer or two to celebrate. That's when I spotted the problem."
That problem was the complete absence of an exhaust tip on the otherwise complete clay. Thinking quickly, Stephenson stripped the paint from his beer can, punched a hole in the bottom, and fixed it in place on the model. It wasn't long before he was called on the carpet by his boss at BMW. "It wasn't the shape (of the tip)," he says, "everybody liked it because it was unique yet oddly familiar. He was concerned that I had wasted a modeler's time milling the piece when his time could be better spent elsewhere. That was when I felt the need to confess." That confession got him stunned silence followed by nearly uncontrollable laughter."(BMWworld.com)
"Mini designer Frank Stephenson explains what a can of Budweiser and the new MINI have in common: "We worked a number of 24-hour days trying to get the full-sized clay model completed for presentation to the board of directors," says Stephenson. "So when we finished the job with just hours to spare, I thought it appropriate that the team have a beer or two to celebrate. That's when I spotted the problem."
That problem was the complete absence of an exhaust tip on the otherwise complete clay. Thinking quickly, Stephenson stripped the paint from his beer can, punched a hole in the bottom, and fixed it in place on the model. It wasn't long before he was called on the carpet by his boss at BMW. "It wasn't the shape (of the tip)," he says, "everybody liked it because it was unique yet oddly familiar. He was concerned that I had wasted a modeler's time milling the piece when his time could be better spent elsewhere. That was when I felt the need to confess." That confession got him stunned silence followed by nearly uncontrollable laughter."(BMWworld.com)
"'The review (of the clay model with the beer can) went off without a hitch,' Stephenson recalls. 'The board told me not to change a thing. Imagine the difficulty I had communicating the specifications of the exhaust to the supplier without telling him to go copy the sides and bottom of a beer can.'"
This book has a picture of a clay model Cooper S with the large non-beer can single exhaust that I think silvrcelt refers to. So the story about the beer can must have applied to a (earlier?) clay model of the base Cooper.
#1544
#1545
#1549
I bought my 06 R50 BRG/Silver used a month ago. I've finally got through this thread and wanted to post a big THANK-YOU to all as I've learned many things. My dealer mailed me an owner's manual which I just got today. Thanks to this forum, I already had my .pdf manual (from the motoring.com site). It is finally going to be above freezing this weekend in WI, so I might get to check out how the ride feels with the sunroof open!
One question: My MINI does not like to drive slower than 35, why is that?
One question: My MINI does not like to drive slower than 35, why is that?