June 2013 – STEVENDIVER.COM

Goodbye Old Friend

Posted on June 21, 2013

My 2003 Mini Cooper S

Today is my last day with my 2003 MINI Cooper S. After 10 years, and 125,215 miles, she will move on to her new home, and new owners, tonight. Hopefully, she brings them just as much joy as she has brought me over the past 10 years.

From the first time I saw the new MINI, I knew I wanted one. After graduating college, and getting my first job, I saved until I could afford the MINI I wanted, exactly as I wanted it optioned out. In April 2003, I placed my order on an Indi Blue and White MINI Cooper S. I waited over the course of three months, and tracked her build and transport, until I took deliver on July 14, 2003.

MINI, Motoring

Clubman Status: En Route, For Real This Time

Posted on June 18, 2013

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics’ Parsifal - Phoyo Mick Prendergast

After being bumped from the Endurance last week, I have been periodically checking the Wallenius Wilhelmsen website to see the status of my Clubman. After a week of seeing nothing but, RETURNED TO SHIPPER status, yesterday, the Wallenius Wilhelmsen website showed that my VIN number had been booked on the next vehicle carrier leaving Southampton for Baltimore…the Parsifal. Then, this morning, I saw the magic status, LOADED ON VESSEL.

The Parsifal’s started it’s voyage to Baltimore at about 3:00pm CST, and is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore on June 27th.

MINI, Motoring, Photography

Chicago MINI Motoring Club at Superdawg

Posted on June 17, 2013

Gen2 Chicago MINI Motoring Club R56 & R55 MINIs at Superdawg.

On Saturday night, the Chicago MINI Motoring Club had a meet-up at Superdawg in Wheeling. It has been a few years since I have attended a CMMC event, but I am glad Carson and I were able to attend. We both enjoyed looking at some awesome MINIs, ate some great Superdawgs, and Carson’s favorite part…a chocolate Supershake.

MINI, Motoring

Clubman Status: En Route Awaiting Transport

Posted on June 10, 2013

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics’ Endurance - Photo by Rich English

UPDATE June 11, 2013: So yeah, apparently my Clubman isn’t exactly en route. I checked the status of my Clubman on the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics website this morning, and found that it has been bumped from Endurance. So, it looks like she will get to spend a few more days in Southampton. I have heard that if a vehicle is bumped from a cargo ship it has priority on the next vessel. Hopefully, it will be rebooked on the Parsifal cargo ship, which is the next Wallenius Wilhelmsen vehicle carrier leaving Southampton. It departs Southampton on June 18th, and arrives in Baltimore, MD on June 27th.

MINI, Motoring

Clubman Status: Production Complete

Posted on June 8, 2013

Since receiving my Clubman’s Production and VIN Numbers, I have been checking it’s status at least twice a day on the MINI Owners’ Lounge. Since May 30th, the Owners’ Lounger status has read, Scheduled For Production. On Friday, June 7th, the status finally changed to read Awaiting Transport. Since the MINI Owners’ Lounge is typically 24-48 hours behind reality, my Clubman finished production on June 5th or June 6th.