Before I had a drivers license, I fell in love with the Mini. Made in England by various manufacturers in the 1960's, there were several different styles and models. I recall names like Austin Mini, Morris Mini and the Mini Cooper S.
Weekend activities in Miami always had something interesting and when a parent volunteered to drive kids to see car races... there were more kids than room in the car and usually the older kids got first choice to go. On my first trip to see a race, they had the mini-class and a handful of Mini Coopers were on the track. Small, low and fast. If you have seen any British spy movies, a mini was usually the getaway car of choice!
I wanted a Mimi and every weekend I'd scan the Sunday newspaper looking for a used one. Typically, they were already sold before I could get there to make an offer.
One problem with Mini's were emission controls... they didn't have any!
Imported to America prior to regulations, the older cars were exempt from having add-on devices to pass the pollution standards of the newer vehicles. As far as I know, no new Minis were coming to America. If you had the money and connections, you could import a used one under the 'grey market' and get around some of those regulations.
As a touring musician, I was 'star-struck' when I traveled to Canada and saw Minis everywhere. By then, emission control standards were getting difficult so It wasn't practical to bring one to America. Life changed for me and I purchased a Honda. :-(
One of the amazing things about Minis is their engineering. Up until that time, car engines were inline... the cylinders were arranged front-to-back. When you revved the motor, the car often shook sideways from the torque. The Mini engine was transversely mounted (as in sideways) so the torque pulled forward and the side tilting was eliminated.
Mini production halted more than a generation ago and only in the last decade did BMW bring a redesigned Mini to market. While it shares the name and some visuals, we all know it's not the same car.
My car is in the repair shop this week and the rental company offered me a Mini. It's the Countryman, a longer hatchback model. While I've only put 20 miles on the car Wednesday, I've got 3 outside appointments today and expect to have the car for the weekend.
What do I think so far?
Solid, quiet interior, lots of gadgets. All wheel drive so I wasn't able to screech tires on the takeoff!
My immediate dislike are the small rearview mirrors. Fashion over function. I consider them a safety liability as the view is limited. Also, the short doors make getting in and out a time consuming squeeze.
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