The Original Mini (1959-2000) and the New MINI (2001 onward)
Mini = the Original Mini from 1959-2000
MINI = the New MINI from 2001 onwards
I think of myself and a Mini/MINI enthusiast,I've owned numerous Minis and driven them for nearly 20 years.
At present I still own a 1965 Cooper S, 1990 RSP Cooper and the 1998 Cooper Sports Le and have attended Mini shows/events and driven our Minis in Ireland, Scotland, England, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland & France so class myself as a Mini enthusiast, if not a nerd
(I really do have an addiction)
I used the 1998 Cooper as everyday transport, but it was getting a bit long in the tooth for this job so has been relegated to a future classic car policy.
I thought after 9 years constant use and 105,000 miles it had earned a rest.
We bought a 2005 Cooper S as every day transport and I love it, its a real hoot to drive but its not the usual run of the mill Eurobox
What I have noticed since buying the MINI is the poor attitude between certain sections of the Mini & MINI communities, which I think is sad.
When the Rover Cooper was launched in 1990 certain elements of the 60's Cooper owners didn't warm to them, saying they weren't real Mini Coopers!
Yet now they are common place at all the shows (if not the largest class)
The MINI was designed when Rover was the owner of the Mini/MINI brand and was going to be sold via the Rover Dealership network.
(I wonder if this had happened would everyones opinions still be as negative?)
John Cooper and his son Mike had input into its development.
Its design & testing was based in Longbridge (the Austin factory), it is built in Cowley (the Morris factory).
If BMW/Rover hadn't planned to design and build the MINI surely they wouldn't have pumped the money into extending the life of the Mini past 1996 to 2000, near to the launch of MINI in 2001.
Thus the Mpi Mini range would not exist and look how many of these are owner by enthusiasts.
I'm the first to admit the MINI isn't a Mini but as a modern day interpretation its close and at least it keeps the name and interest in the mark alive.
Its amazing how many MINI owners also own a Mini or want to own a Mini.
Look at one of the last Sportpack Minis and compare it to an early Mk1 (with Issigonis's prefared choice of Hydrolastic suspension)
Parts are similar but can you name one part that is identical?
These later models are as far away from Issigonis's affordable car as the MINI is.
At a recent Mini run I was greeted by the comment "where is the real Mini?", my response was "I don't see any Mk1 Minis here so there are no real Minis attending", the response to this was "thats true"
As a Mini enthusiast what else would you drive as an everyday car ?(if a Mini isn't an option)
The youngest Mini is now 8 years old so may not be practical for everyday transport so why not have a MINI?
Look at the different styles of Minis that have appeared over the years at the shows from the classic Mk1 to the bodykitted modified, then the self built to the cheque book rebuilds.
Even the MINI has different looks, go for chrome, go for bodykits, racer look etc.
There is a Mini or MINI to suit everyone, you may not like the other persons Mini or MINI but you have to respect that its someones car that they must like and enjoy to spend money and time on to then turn up at a Mini/MINI event in.
What is missing sometimes between certain elements in the Mini/MINI communities is respect for each other.
I step down from my soapbox now.
MINI = the New MINI from 2001 onwards
I think of myself and a Mini/MINI enthusiast,I've owned numerous Minis and driven them for nearly 20 years.
At present I still own a 1965 Cooper S, 1990 RSP Cooper and the 1998 Cooper Sports Le and have attended Mini shows/events and driven our Minis in Ireland, Scotland, England, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland & France so class myself as a Mini enthusiast, if not a nerd
(I really do have an addiction)
I used the 1998 Cooper as everyday transport, but it was getting a bit long in the tooth for this job so has been relegated to a future classic car policy.
I thought after 9 years constant use and 105,000 miles it had earned a rest.
We bought a 2005 Cooper S as every day transport and I love it, its a real hoot to drive but its not the usual run of the mill Eurobox
What I have noticed since buying the MINI is the poor attitude between certain sections of the Mini & MINI communities, which I think is sad.
When the Rover Cooper was launched in 1990 certain elements of the 60's Cooper owners didn't warm to them, saying they weren't real Mini Coopers!
Yet now they are common place at all the shows (if not the largest class)
The MINI was designed when Rover was the owner of the Mini/MINI brand and was going to be sold via the Rover Dealership network.
(I wonder if this had happened would everyones opinions still be as negative?)
John Cooper and his son Mike had input into its development.
Its design & testing was based in Longbridge (the Austin factory), it is built in Cowley (the Morris factory).
If BMW/Rover hadn't planned to design and build the MINI surely they wouldn't have pumped the money into extending the life of the Mini past 1996 to 2000, near to the launch of MINI in 2001.
Thus the Mpi Mini range would not exist and look how many of these are owner by enthusiasts.
I'm the first to admit the MINI isn't a Mini but as a modern day interpretation its close and at least it keeps the name and interest in the mark alive.
Its amazing how many MINI owners also own a Mini or want to own a Mini.
Look at one of the last Sportpack Minis and compare it to an early Mk1 (with Issigonis's prefared choice of Hydrolastic suspension)
Parts are similar but can you name one part that is identical?
These later models are as far away from Issigonis's affordable car as the MINI is.
At a recent Mini run I was greeted by the comment "where is the real Mini?", my response was "I don't see any Mk1 Minis here so there are no real Minis attending", the response to this was "thats true"
As a Mini enthusiast what else would you drive as an everyday car ?(if a Mini isn't an option)
The youngest Mini is now 8 years old so may not be practical for everyday transport so why not have a MINI?
Look at the different styles of Minis that have appeared over the years at the shows from the classic Mk1 to the bodykitted modified, then the self built to the cheque book rebuilds.
Even the MINI has different looks, go for chrome, go for bodykits, racer look etc.
There is a Mini or MINI to suit everyone, you may not like the other persons Mini or MINI but you have to respect that its someones car that they must like and enjoy to spend money and time on to then turn up at a Mini/MINI event in.
What is missing sometimes between certain elements in the Mini/MINI communities is respect for each other.
I step down from my soapbox now.