Low Numbers for the GP Monterey Delivery

Sections: Events | JCW May 16th, 2006 68 Comments

MotoringFile has learned that, as of last week, only eight soon to be GP owners have signed up for MINI USA’s Monterey Delivery Program. While this has probably changed a bit since then, it still seems a bit lower than original expectations. Initially MINI USA had planned for up to 45 slots to be available and for a May 15th deadline. However with the deadline already over, we’re guessing that the date may now be extended.

So what does this mean? For one, GP owners seem less than enthusiastic with the idea of putting so many miles on their incredibly rare and potentially collectable cars. However, on the upside it also means that the folks that do opt for the special delivery will be members of a very select group. But how does this change MINI USA’s events at Monterey? It’s hard to say exactly. Obviously it won’t have the clout it might once have with only a fraction of the possibly particpants actually taking up the offer. That said we expect the final numbers to grow a bit before the final (final) deadline is passed. And at the end of the day, we’re still of the mindset that this is a once in a life-time event that shouldn’t be passed up if you’ve got a GP on order.

Despite the lower number we’re also happy to announce that MotoringFile will be reporting daily from Monterey and across the country as the MINI Takes the States caravan makes its way east. Todd Pearson will be heading up our coverage as he (carefully) breaks in his new GP. Look for more details soon.

Related:

[ MINI USA's GP Delivery Program ] MotoringFile

[ MotoringFile GP Articles ] (via MotoringFile search)

Written By: Gabe

Charlie

Gabe, If MINI doesn’t meet a “minimum” number of persons opting for the Monterey Delivery, will there be considerations of cancelling it? What do your sources say about updated numbers…or the possibility of it folding? Charlie
Ric Stofer

See you guys @ Lime Rock. Jersey pick-up Sept. 3 :-)
stephen

i have a question ,if this event just has 20 people to go pick up there mini ,so how about the rest of the car ,is the rest will go to the dealer and sell it rightaway? you know everybody paid that $2k because want to pick up the car early ,so if the rest will sell it on dealer,i think i didn’t need to go to montery to pick up the car early .
Charlie

The Events Company (out of San Francisco) who is coordinating the Monterey GP Delivery for MINI called today, as they are processing payments. According to their representative, the event is a “go” and will be a BIG DEAL when all is said and done.

Coincidentally, MINIUSA sent out another round of Applications to Dealers today, looking for more participants (terms unknown). Maybe they’re allowing dealer to pick a second person in order to fill up the event. Time will tell
Frank

Monterey is a bit of a remote location for most people, even in California. I was there in early March and loved it!

I hope the GP delivery event is a success and I am sure that MINIUSA will learn from the planning and execution. Very bold to say the least. How many car companies are pulling off events like this anyway?
Jim

It’s official, I’m in. Heard from the Events Co. today. They took my money & I’m (ready to be) committed.

Re: the possible “extra” cars floating around between August & late Sept/early Oct, which is the earliest I’ve heard for US delivery outside of the GP event. My understanding from my dealer is that the cars to be delivered in Lime Rock/Monterey are being airfreighted in. How accurate that is, I don’t know for sure. But if that is the case, it’s simple enough for MINI to either a)park the extras in the VPC in Port Hueneme or b) hold off putting the “extra” cars on a plane & sending them via ship. Port Hueneme is only a few hours south of Monterey.
Jim

Speaking of being committed, I’ve been advised by my other half that $2000 on top of the $31k, on top of dealer add ons/markup is just insane.

But that’s what the MINI does to me.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

My understanding from my dealer is that the cars to be delivered in Lime Rock/Monterey are being airfreighted in.

That is correct. They’re coming straight from Italy and MINI USA is paying top dollar to get the cars in the country in time for this event. From everything I’m hearing, MINI USA is definitely not making money on this event!
Charlie

Gabe, Any chance of getting information on the building of these cars by Bertone in Italy? I understand that MINI is shipping the stripped bodies in white from Oxford to Italy; and that the cars are being painted and assembled there. The GP is essentially a hand-built car as the earlier Porsches were . Something tells me there is a story there, with lots of photos. Charlie
Frank

That is just so cool! The cars will be delivered by 747 Cargo airplane directly to its owners. No ship transport, no VPC, just straight to your door!

People are fools if they are not taking up MINIUSA on this magnificent and historic opportunity!
Jim

For those of us with a less than firm grasp of the obvious.

Registration has opened at http://www.minitakesthestates.com
Jim (again)

Hey, a thought occurred to me… well, it actually occurred to dukesantos, but if we accept delivery at Monterey, can we register for the Concorso Italiano?
Charlie

It all depends on what time we take delivery @ Laguna Seca; but yes, non-Italian car corral registration is open until May 31st. $150 for a car and 2 people. See https://secure2.netriver.net/concorso-com/forms/registration.php?page=nonitalian

The good news is the Concorso is close to Laguna; the bad news is getting to it through traffic might be a challange. Their first two years at this new site was terrible; can’t say if they improved it for last year.
Karl Aldinger

I’ve been going to the Concorso Italiano and Monterey Historics for many years now. Last year I had my ’72 BMW 2002 in the non-Ital corral (which is very large btw). We actually got 3 guys in on a single Car entry ticket, but that was a fluke. The traffic and then bussing situation was dismal for several years, but the last two years were more pleasant. Waited in a car entrant line for approx. 15 minutes, which is pretty standard for a show this size. The earlier you’re able to get there, the better your chances at avoiding a queue. Also, you should be free to leave when you want to from this altenate corral (though I’d clarify that if they’ve got you scheduled for any Mini events on that Friday.) It does beg the question, do the GP owners have cars waiting at the airport (doubtful) or will they be shuttled around as a group for a day or two at the start of the holiday?

A tip for newbies to the Historics. The paddock (pits) are open to everyone (my favorite place to spend time) and the track’s got lots of fun vantage points if you work your way around it. Sometimes new folks head to the grandstands and fail to get the full experience. I second the motion to get some behind the scenes at Bertone.
Jim

I noticed several Cadillac Allante’s on the registration list for the Italian cars.

Weren’t they white-bodied in the US & shipped to Italy?

If so, it would be worth a giggle if some enterprising GP Owner were to enter the Concorso.
http://www.bentleypublishers.com/mini/index.htm MCSDCWGP2006

As a Brit who grew up a stones throw from Leyland Motors, cars have always been in my blood. I could only dream of one day owning my own sports car just like my school teachers who owned such classics as Morgan, triumph, MG, TVR, Schimitar, Jaguar, Austin. Combine this with my love of many things Italian; food,wine, women, clothing, cycling and cars.

As a student my roommate who owned a mini, we would drive around the countless rotarys in the town and hurtle through country lanes. The car was fun to drive. When I heard rumours of a new MINI a decade ago I was thinking back then that it would be a possibility to get one.

And just look what happened, the MCSJCWGP2006 made in Bertrone Italy limited Edition. I have waited all my life for a sports car and this is the one for me, I am so stoked. I have signed up for NJ and my folks are coming over from the UK. All those years my old man drove my brother and I around in his Reliant and Robin three wheelers and now I have the chance to give him the drive of his life up to Lime Rock and beyond.

One very important point which has yet to be confirmed by MINIUSA and maybe someone can enlighten us all on these pages is;

Sure those lucky enough to be selected for this handing over the keys to your new MCSJCWGP2006, but will you actually have the car in your possession at that point and be able to drive it away

OR

will it be a case of having the key ceremony and then you pick your car up from your local dealer a few days later.

I say this because from what I have heard and what my local MINI dealer said was they simply do not know??
MarkP

Does anyone know of a western U.S. dealer with a Monterey delivery GP available?

Thanks
matt tardif

I have signed up. I won’t be taking the MTTS route on the way back, instead I am going to hit National Parks and stay away from the cities. I most likely won’t finish up in Lime Rock either. Depends on quite a few variables. I am not thinking about the $$$ in this instance. What is the average retail cost of a car in USA at the moment? This price seems to be pretty much in the range for what cars cost. The possibility that it may become a collectors item is exactly the reason that I speculated with the purchase almost a year ago now,last August. I consider this to be destiny more than anything. See you in Boston!

Cheers, Matt

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