Hudson Bay or Bust Wrap-up

Ian Mar 1st, 2005 Link

It is people like David that help to create the wonders of our MINI community ;)

Phil Mar 1st, 2005 Link

If I was able to take a similar trip, I’d flip too (but hopefully not in the same manner!)!

David, your photoessay is wonderful, your enthusiasm remarkable and your luck, well, out of this world. Thanks tons for bringing us along for the ride!

Bob Dylan Mar 1st, 2005 Link

You guys are NUTS! hahaha! Great pics.

Scott Purvis Mar 1st, 2005 Link

Dave’s journey reminds me of growing up in Alaska and my drives between Fairbanks and Anchorage in the winter months. I would also like to praise everyone who made that journey. It is testimony of the love for our MINI’s. Here I am worried about a little salt on mine here in Cleveland and these people ventured into truly frozen territory and the MINI’s did just fine. Well, except for David’s. I would have had a cardiac arrest on the spot if this happend to me. Cheers and Motor On!

Stan Mar 1st, 2005 Link

I wonder if MINIUSA is going to jump on this to advertise the MINI’s safety capabilities. I’m very happy to read that you made it back safely, Dave. I keep on showing people your pics and it makes for great conversation! :)

dgszweda Mar 1st, 2005 Link

It is interesting going up that far north. I have been a few more degrees farther north last winter in my Mini a few hours north of Fort McMurray Alberta, which is way up there. And it was cold. It is really a different lifestyle up that far north.

By the way, this website looks great in FireFox, and looks aweful in IE.

DUCTTAPE Mar 1st, 2005 Link

Again, thank you all. I had a great time (as did many of those who attended) and I think I’d say I’d leave again on an hours notice (as would many of those who attended!)

FYI, I did contact BMW NA. They blew me off. Go figure. Personally? Any car I can flip and both walk away from and drive home is a winner in my book. I mean, I’m a conservative guy. 4 kids, house, 4 goats (ok, a tad not too conservative) and knowing that what I drive is safe is important to me. Seems like an opportunity lost, BMW…

Pictures: I am shocked at the quantity, and quality of pictures coming from this. Roman sent some today that are amazing. I mean, Marosh must have smelled like herring because these two guys were 10 feet from caribou. And the video Uptick took is wonderful.

Lastly, I just went to FireFox. It never dawned on me the other 99% of the world would have issues with IE! Sorry!

Thanks again, from everyone who went. See you all at MOT!

Doug Travis Mar 1st, 2005 Link

How about a list of the crazy group of people that went on this adventure.

Inquiring minds want to know,

Doug

Ian Mar 1st, 2005 Link

Check the arcticMINI website which is supposed to have a personal page for each person - but most are not (yet) set up.

Nathaniel Salzman Mar 2nd, 2005 Link

David,

I have an unrelated question about your MINI. I see that you’ve got the four rally lights across your bottom grill. I’ve seen several places where I can get this, but my principle curiosity is how well you like them. They obviously look tops, but I am wondering if they light up the night like it looks like they should. The thread posts I’ve read about the Xenon’s make them look like they’re not worth the $550 MINI wants for them and the rally set of lights you have interest me greatly.

thanks a bunch, hope to order my MINI in May.

DUCTTAPE Mar 2nd, 2005 Link

Hi Nathaniel, They are boss. They light up the night like nobody’s business. I had Xenons on my 02S, and put them on the cab, and they are certainly brighter than halogens, but with these, it’s kind of hard to tell (from behind the wheel) that’s I’m driving Xenons.

I got these from Alta. You need to remove the bumper and drill into the aluminum bumper piece, but it’s really not hard, and as I said, they are incredibly bright. Alta sold me 2 yellow fogs and 2 white driving.

I’d recommend them highly.

(PS, don’t wait until May. I was driving an S when I ordered my Cab in June for March delivery. I pushed that to Feb, to Jan and then to ‘how fast can you get it here’. You’ll really enjoy driving this car)

Nathaniel Salzman Mar 2nd, 2005 Link

Oh I would order it right this second if I had my way! I say May because that’s when I finish my degree and start my permanent position at the design studio where I work. I might be able to order it sooner, but I’ll probably have to wait and order in May, save a little money up for the DP, and then take delivery late June or whenever it comes in.

The dealer’s been spectacular. A couple of weeks ago they were gracious enough to let me have a MCS for part of the afternoon all by my lonesome to “bond.” It was fantastic. I had been on a test drive before, but after getting to spend some extended time, I was absolutely blown away by the car. No doubts in my mind. I don’t even know where to start with what I love about it. The style (being a designer and all) the heritage (my dad’s ‘69 MGb GT) and the performance is quite simply rediculous. It’s got BMW build quality and british fun and flavor. All you guys who get to drive yours everyday have my my envy.

Anyway, I love the lights. Have you noticed any cooling differences with those lights covering up that lower grill. I know it’s winter right now, but do you think that would be an issue in warmer weather?

DUCTTAPE Mar 2nd, 2005 Link

:) You know then…

I do not think there is a cooling issue. They are down quite low, and there isn’t much grill there to begin with. Plus, once you have the car, you’ll know that air ‘circulates’ very well in the bonnet bay, ’cause its impossible to keep road dirt and dust out of there.

Enjoy the new wheels!
d

dc Mar 4th, 2005 Link

There was no cooling issue on this trip.