August 25, 2008:
Two years ago … Coast to Coast in a GP
The original and best (!) MINI Takes The States 2006 was in mid-flow two years ago … this weekend I worked through the many more than 2,200 photos I’d taken, and put together an Animoto video/slideshow - a wonderful reminder of a wonderful event, beginning with GP delivery at Monterey and working city-by-city and state-by-state during a two week, 4,500+ mile drive across the USA:
Here is the video, nearly 300 pictures and over 8 minutes of entertainment - and at the beginning, a few never-before-shots of the first GP I ever saw (which MINI USA asked me not to post online back in August 2006!):
If you prefer, click here to download a high resolution version (80MB, MP4 format)
August 20, 2008:
GP launch video
Many thanks to MikeyTheMINI of NewMINIstuff, who posted this video of the first ever GP unveiling during MINI United 2005:
August 18, 2008:
Two years ago … Monterey delivery
And the question is … how many of those original 32 USA GP buyers still have their GP (and visit this site, I guess!) … shout out in the comments, please 
July 21, 2008:
Two years ago … First GP delivered
Back then Mr Baker said “I’ll be keeping this car a long time” but it was spotted for sale within three months!
July 8, 2008:
What makes a GP?
A question popped in to my head when adding Don from Austria, with GP1463, to the owners list … when is a GP no longer a GP?
Don writes “I own GP 1463, it’s black with green stripes and mirrors now” … So Don’s GP is no longer Thunder Blue - but apart from that, it’s still a GP, with the unique wheels, aero kit and rear wing. And it surely still has the “1463 of 2000″ decal on the dash.
I’ve seen other GPs with different wheels - I’ve even seen one with rear seats installed! And of course many GPs have had engine, suspension, stereo or similar modifications. But then, there’s the sad story of GP0448 - salvage titled and apparently no longer with original GP engine (or at least intercooler), with “mimic” GP wheels, and a worrying history. Is that car still a GP?