MINI comes of age
Published: Sunday | November 15, 2009
GROOVY British spy Austin Powers' free spirit and crushed velvet suits complemented his Mini in the 2002 flick Goldmember. The following year, the small cars took centre stage in a high-speed chase scene in The Italian Job.
Not bad for a car which turned 50 in August this year.
Acquired by BMW in 2000, the British Motor Corporation's Mini was a 1960s icon and enjoyed similar cult status as its German contemporary, the VW Beetle.
"The Mini was a reflection of the swinging '60s," said Jeremy Cresswell, British High Commissioner to Jamaica in an interview with Automotives.
The diplomat said at that time in Britain, boy band, the Beatles, was the rage, England had secured the World Cup in 1966 and the mini skirt was the female fashion statement.
Austin Powers
"It was a radical car in its look and engineering system ... and that's what the young people wanted to drive," he said.
The Oxford graduate said the second-hand station wagon version was a hit among students.
"I didn't own one, but it was a popular vehicle," the British high commissioner said.
In Jamaica too, the Mini - first runner-up to Ford Model T for Car of the Century award in 1999 - had quite an appeal.
"My wife, Karen and I had one each," said studio engineer Horace Brown. "Mine was the '76 model and that one was quite popular back then," he said.
The St James-based engineer described his Mini as a 'workhorse'.
In fact, Brown modified his to a 'licensed five-seater' to suit his need.
"I replaced the engine with a Mini Metro 1000 one so I could get more out of the gearbox ... I had two Rover seats in the front and Suzuki seats in the back. I also had a carrier on top of it," he continued.
Brown said small cars never shied away from the rivals of the day.
"They used to be raced at Vernamfield up to the early '80s ... against Ford Escorts and Capris ... and they cornered better than the other cars," said the 55-year-old.
The studio engineer said his wife encouraged him to part with his Mini, but his desire still lingers.
"If I had the money, I would import one of the older ones," Brown said.
Kim Bernard of Stewart Motors, local distributors of BMW and Mini marquees, said Brown's sentiments were typical of former owners.
"There is high loyalty among the brand," said the sales and marketing executive.
"Typically, purchases are not limited to age groups," she said. "But rather among trendy persons and young entrepreneurs," she continued.
fuel efficient
With a price range of $5.8m to $6.7m nowadays, Bernard said the new Mini sports BMW's technology and luxury and is more fuel efficient that older models.
"It' a great car," Bernard said.
But can the Mini last another 50 years?
"It's is very well-placed. It's bigger, luxurious and has managed to keep the excitement of a new car," said British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell.
No doubt, Austin Powers would agree with a "Yeah baby, Yeah!"
brian.bonitto@gleanerjm.com
