Hot Orange MCS Cabrio Spotted in California

Ellen (CMMC member) Apr 27th, 2004 Link

Nice article … the best part is the chocolate MINIs .. so I ordered one!

;-D

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Josh Apr 27th, 2004 Link

Notice this car has S-lites not the new wheelset

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GJR Apr 27th, 2004 Link

I still don't uunderstand exactly why the chrome gascap has not been included in this package. Could it be simply because it doesn't line up as nicely with the door handle as it does on the coupe? There has to be a better explanation…

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Shawn Apr 28th, 2004 Link

Perhaps the gas intake had to be lowered in the body due to the convertible parts above it (plus, the regular S gascap is recessed, taking up even more room). Looks like a design/engineering move to accomodate the covertible top when it's collapsed.

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Mike Apr 28th, 2004 Link

Cool pics.

I want to know if there is anything interesting written on that clipboard. :)

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Rocketboy Apr 28th, 2004 Link

That privacy screen seems rather silly. It kind of defeats the fact that it's a 4 seater…

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Gabriel Bridger Apr 28th, 2004 Link

That's not a privacy screen but a screen to eliminate air buffer at speed.

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Nick Tripp Apr 28th, 2004 Link

It's hard to believe the plate “TOPLESS” wasn't already used in California. I thought people in Cali were the creative ones. ;)

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Nick Tripp Apr 28th, 2004 Link

Doh. I just caught the end of the article on a re-read. I hope that's my goof for the day.

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froglegs Apr 28th, 2004 Link

Hey, this might be a dumb question, but can you still fold the back seats down in the ragtop? With the trunk opening the way it does, especially, I can imagine keeping the back seats down most of the time, using the extra space for tailgaiting, etc. But with the roll bar, is that possible?

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IGoDayGlo Apr 28th, 2004 Link

Yes, you can fold the backseats down. It's a marvelous thing.

I'm sorry to see the chrome gascap go, too. Maybe they could replace it with a chrome gascap that actually unscrews and leave off the door to make up for the clearance problems Shawn speculated on.

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Brad (Technomage) Herman Apr 28th, 2004 Link

I miss the chrome gas cap to but the chrome package inside makes it worth it.

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GJR Apr 28th, 2004 Link

I love the interior chrome too- too bad Gabe says it may not be easy to retrofit. I'll find a way though!

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Steve Apr 28th, 2004 Link

I saw this car, Friday night on Pacific Coast Hwy on my way home. My neck still hurts !! It looked great even in passing on the opposite side of the road. I am waiting to order an “S” version to sit next to my PW/PW MCS.

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John Apr 28th, 2004 Link

From the pictures, is it just a visual effect or is the “third brake light” integrated into the chrome trim above the boot?

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Darren May 1st, 2004 Link

As far as I can tell, that's not an authentic California plate, for a few reasons: the most important (and obvious, to a graphics-type person), the font is completely wrong. It's nowhere near what is seen/used in these parts…the spacing and top-down ratio is completely off. The most obvious, is the side-to-side aspect. Those letters should be spreading completely across the length of the plate–7 is the limit around here. Looks like a fakie/knockoff/internet version.

For support, I could also mention that there is no 'Month Due' sticker on the left (it is white w/ blue letters), nor does there appear to be a front plate, although it is not clear if there ever was one. California IS known for its creative 'plating'.

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Brad (Technomage) Herman May 4th, 2004 Link

I would have figured the line “I changed the licence plate on the car out of courtesy to BMW/MINI.” in the 5th paragraph would have made that obvious Darren. BTW both stickers are on the plate but blown out by the flash, they are from the origional photo. look at the high res version. The plate graphic came from here: http://www.acme.com/licensemaker/

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Roger Trunzo May 5th, 2004 Link

The car looks great! Now tell me how did he get one so soon? I thought they were coming out this fall? And does anyone know how much a loaded S convert will run? Have a great day!

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