The swap meet was cool.  The wife summed that up perfect, “Nothing we can’t live without”.

Now it was off to the car show portion.  We tripped over bugs and busses, but had to hunt down the Ghias.  We saw 5-6, and only two verts.  I think we’ll be driving her’s up next year.

Click on the picture below to see the rest of the photos.

I also received a phone call today around 5:00pm from M7 Tuning.  I was driving back from camp with my son and was out of cell range so a voice mail message was left.  It was from one of the owners.  She wanted to personally apologize for the issue I had with my catch can.  She said that most of the time they get it right but sometimes they don’t and would like the opportunity to make it right in the future.

It was a very nice gesture.  Apology excepted.

<link to Jim’s YouTube Channel>

Check out Mini5280′s very own Kim Stone getting interviewed by Kurt on KNUS 1510.   Are you thinking about registering?  Better get it done before 6:37pm on July 25th.

Click here to listen to Kim’ Interview

It takes me back to one of the first Porsche Cayenne ads I saw.  The one where a guy is on his cordless phone and places it under the exhaust then starts it.  He gives it a couple of rolls on the throttle then picks up the phone and says, cool huh?  Porsche, well done.  Lexus that is how you sell Super Cars.  Selling us a car the same way you would sell us a home entertainment center is not going to make us think you’re cool.  Your brand is still for old dudes with coin.

YouTube via Gizmodo

The greatest shirt company in the world is about to launch.  Yeah, I know, I run the company but that just makes me biased, not a liar.  It is going to be the “greatest thing since after market exhaust”.

“Hey that could be a t-shirt”.  Do you ever find yourself saying that?  If so, you have the chance to be famous…well famous amongst your peers. MotoringShirts is about to roll out.  Why not roll out your shirt idea too?  Head over here and follow the instructions.  Fill out the form and attach your napkin sketch.  If your idea is chosen, you get a shirt with your idea, in all it’s glory for free!  Plus we’ll include another shirt from the shopping cart for free as our thanks.

Here is the best part.  Your shirt, and only your shirt will have “Owners Club” on the left sleeve.  Now you can slide that big beautiful shirt over your hairy back every morning and tell the world you made it.  All your friends will stare in awe at your sheer genius.  They will utter those words only a guy wearing it can appreciate.  “Why didn’t I think of that?”

submit your shirt idea —>

Loveland gave privy to the Ghia’s first showing at a Euroberge GTG.  My wife did not want to spend 4 hours in the sun so she drove the Mini Clubman as the chase vehicle.

The boys over at WhiteRoofRadio [iTunes Link] have been talking about this issue for a few months now.  These oil starved engines are really starting to become an issue.  I’ll do my part to spread the word.  CHECK YOUR OIL LEVEL PEOPLE!

The video and their take after this jump.

This year the Mini In The Mountains (MITMS) team is mixing things up.  The venue has been changed to Winter Park Resort.  This venue is going to be incredible.  Monday night I saw some Summer time pictures of the resort.  The drive to get there is thrill on it’s own.  It’s 20 miles of tight hairpins.

Look for more information from the promotions team.  Oh yeah, I’ve been recruited for that team so you’ll see a ton of updates here.

From the looks of this post,  the Clubman and I need to go Norway, and a few other places.

[via Waze]

Today Jacob, my oldest son, and I had the pleasure of running through Denver today with about 10-12 other Minis.  We started out at the old Detailer’s Paradise location on South Broadway.  The group started by working our way through some residential streets in the DU area.  Next was the Washington Park area, then by the Denver Zoo.  After working our way through Five Points and downtown Denver we headed for the final destination, Pasquini’s on South Broadway.

This was our first time attending this event.  The Mini5280.org crowd is always up for a good time, and today was no exception.

When they get posted, I will link some of the pictures that OTHER people took.  I left my camera battery on the charger.

[Thanks Teena for the pictures link]

NM just released two new little beauty’s to its arsenal. The first is 2007+ heat shield for the turbo S motor.  Here are the details from NM site.

NM Engineering has always used the finest materials in its manufacturing, including products constructed from T-304 stainless, 6061-T6 and 7075-T6 aluminum. With that in mind, NM has taken the next step with its new TitaNM product line which features parts utilizing titanium.

NM’s new TitaNM turbo heat shield is designed to redirect heat from the turbocharger down and around the engine. This reduces intake temps and protects the paint on the bonnet. Unlike other heat shields, NM’s does not completely encase the turbo as it would severely hamper the turbocharger’s heat dissipation and reliability. NM’s heat shield is commercially pure (CP grade) titanium.

Finish:
Brushed Titanium

Application:
- Mini Cooper S & JCW Clubman R55
- Mini Cooper S & JCW Hardtop R56
- Mini Cooper S & JCW Convertible R57

Part #: NM.688856
MSRP: $149.95

The second part is a (bad ass) carbon fiber air intake.  The drool factor over my MacBookPro right now is at it’s highest level.  I recently removed my Race DDM Kit and this would be a nice replacement.  The kit looks very similar to the intake kit they normally sell for $429.99.  BUT for a mere $40more you get a carbon fiber tube?  No brainer!

NM Engineering introduces the complete intake system for the turbocharged model MINI Cooper S. Unlike some competitors, NM’s intake features an integrated larger turbo inlet tube. Stainless brackets, silicone couplings and newly available carbon fiber tube are all designed, engineered and manufactured to fit and perform.

The tube is manufactured using 100% carbon fiber composite material to be lightweight and for great appearance. Utilizing vacuum bag manufacturing method produces a part that has consistent wall thickness, while avoiding excessive resin build-up.

This kit also fits JCW vehicles.

Color:
- Carbon Fiber Tubing

Application:
- Mini Cooper S Clubman R55
- Mini Cooper S Hardtop R56
- Mini Cooper S Convertible R57

Part #:
- NM.658856C
- NM.658856C.1 (Non – MAF)
MSRP: $469.95