The Car That Saved the Mini

[@richardstamper5630]

I grew up with Mini's back in the day when you could buy a used Cooper S for £300. Yes they were rusty back then but we went everywhere in them. I almost had every version, a 998 Cooper, the 1071, a handful of 1275's, a Clubman GT and at one point a Mini Van. As a boy with a new driving licence they offered freedom and expression. Move on 50 years and I have just bought another Mini, a heavily modified Mayfair with a new Heritage shell, an Avonbar 1310 engine along with a full leather interior, central locking and power windows. At 70 years old I have come full circle and I recently let my son drive it for the first time. He was only meant to go for a short drive but he was gone for ages. When he eventually got back he was grinning from ear to ear. He proudly announced that it was the best fun drive he had ever experienced. Honestly, if I never drive the thing again I still have the luxury of just looking at it. Real Mini fans will totally understand that but it will be lost on many... it seems I am not alone, every time I take it to the shops people want to see it and talk about it.... you can't say that about many cars.

[@adogmcdizzle]

Brilliant!

[@patricksmodels]

I remember those years when the Mini went trendy again, and benefitted from the mechanical upgrades that kept it going until regulations put an end to production. Great cars!

[@johnsuffill6520]

It wasn't regulations that put an end to the original Mini production, it was BMW about to launch their own version (IIRC).

[@patricksmodels]

@@johnsuffill6520 thanks for the correction!

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

​@@johnsuffill6520 I can't imagine the Mini would have lasted much longer honestly. Safety regulations would have killed it soon enough.

[@brianfearn4246]

​@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge yep it happened to the Metro which soldierd on as the rover 100 for few years before being axed as it didn't come up to the new European crash safety standards . The same fate would probably have seen off the original mini 😊

[@davidw6469]

Excellent video. The survival of the Mini during the period 1980 to 1989 is a fascinating piece of automotive history and crucial to the birth of the modern MINI.

[@anthonystevens8683]

After the fashion wore off the Mini had to move back into the 'value' car, unfortunately as you mention that meant it had to be stripped back to basics as it was labour intensive and hence costly to build. Weirdly it became the class of almost one once the 'supermini' class erupted. But in that smaller market it still sold. I had 2 Minis, a very tired 1000 that was well past its best before date and a later Clubman Estate 1100 that was brilliant but even my tired old 1000 was enough to give me the Mini driving bug and that was its trick. On paper it no longer made sense for the cost but once driven with just a modicum of spirit it was enough to ignite something hidden in the driver that they would never forget. The car was less transport but fun to drive. For me the best Mini was the classic Mini. Many thanks for sharing and bringing back so many fond memories.

[@russellmarriott9396]

I’m a Mini 30 owner. It gets a lot of attention and lots of smiles. It’s not the most comfortable to drive as I’m 6 foot tall BUT it’s great fun to drive. It has its own character and is one of the family.

[@adogmcdizzle]

I’m the same and a drop bracket for the steering plus seat brackets to move it backward make a big difference

[@peterdevreter]

I still have 3 restored mini's in the garage. 21000cc's and one van 850. Blast to drive 🎉

[@juli8vdberg562]

Lucky you

[@GTE_Channel]

I daily drive ours, just like they are designed to do. Once we had 2-3 of them at any time, and I loved every single one of the..

[@andrewdouglas3091]

Yes, best car ever made. I bought my first car when I was 17, a 1966 Australian built Morris Mini Deluxe. And I still own it. What a great car. I did convert it to rubber suspension after suffering from years of hydrolastic suspension issues. I still like hydrolastic suspension as I also have an MG 1100. Another amazing car built by BMC. I still can’t believe it all fell apart. They built some of the best cars in the world.

[@TorqueCurve]

Your love for the mini is infectious 😃

[@UncleBooBoo]

I remember when Graham Day became Sir Graham Day, the headline simply said "Day becomes Knight"!

[@joshuagies4900]

lol love it!

[@coldlakealta4043]

my 1967 Mini Traveler sends her regards from Canada

[@roberttaylor6295]

I was so pleased that this video popped onto my lap top as I switched one today. Yout regularity has been really missed, both in such reviews. Metro rebuilds and brochure reviews, So I hope your problems are ended and we can look forward to regularity because you are the best in all respects. That's not a bit of faltery from some sort of old groupie, but as a previous reviewer myself and competition driver I appreciate your professional and thorough research, superber scrip writing and professional presentation/editing, a well as you obvious driving joy and fun, There have been been many who have tried to fill your shoes but not come even near. So with good wishes for tour continued efforts and the former joy of knowing that on certain days, an expert Ed would pop on to my old screen and delight my equally old body and mind with pleasurable motoring items! Thank you., and I wish😊🙂 you well and continued success! Rob

[@TwinCam]

All being well (and it usually isn’t), next week’s video will be all about the Sierra XR4i 👀

[@rogerrees9845]

What a beautiful car... Thank you for sharing another great presentation... Roger... Pembrokeshire

[@CortinasAndClassics]

I remember when these were new Ed, My aunt worked in car sales and she would always buy the special edition ones and she had a 30 in black. I am amazed you don't own a mini yet Ed, you need get one 😊

[@TwinCam]

I've always wanted one, and if Melody hadn't come onto the scene, I'd probably have one by now. Within the next year, I'm hoping to have one.

[@philipalbert3272]

I owned three 1980,s minis in succession in the late eighties and early nineties. I felt so cool driving them, loved the styling and the handling of them was brilliant and so much fun. My favourite was my flame red Mini City.

[@PJD_55]

Another great history lesson. Thanks Ed.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate :)

[@juli8vdberg562]

I dream of having one and have it in my living room like a precious piece of furniture and love cherish it forever

[@georgejohnson1498]

The Mini is the Terrier of the car world! I love Terriers. I learned to drive in a Mini Clubman Estate [suffix L reg] and the first car I drove regularly was a blue M reg Mini Pick-up. The pick-up was probably the best handling Mini, and with its 1000 cc engine and the short gearing of the 850 [as a commercial it was in those subject to an unenforced 40 mph speed limit!] meant it really was very quick on winding narrow roads. Not fast flat out, but responsive like a good road bike. My mother had two Mini saloons, a green F reg and a mauve M reg, which both went to Norway with my mother, my brother and I to stay with my Norwegian grandparents in the late sixties and early seventies. Halcyon days for sure. Best wishes from George

[@marcclassic]

You're absolutely right. I remember well the launch of the Mini 30 In France and i thought : oh, they will carry on building Minis and they will look classic.

[@kevingreen8581]

A really good report. Very interesting indeed. Thanks.

[@mrbrick5907]

In the early '90s I owned a Park Lane Mini and drove a Metro van at work. The Metro, with it's vague steering and wallowy ride was like driving a blancmange compared to the Mini. The Mini wouldn't start after heavy rain, you could open the locks with any key small enough to fit in the slot and it had to have rot patched up countless times, but you put up with the flaws because it was so enjoyable to drive.

[@TwinCam]

Can't say I agree. The Metro's steering is just as accurate as the Mini's. It's suspension is much softer, and BL's decision to shun the Hydragas' interlinking cannot be justified as it ruined the balance, but the softer suspension was absolutely necessary. People weren't prepared to put up with the Mini's awful ride quality anymore.

[@RS-ji2ui]

Original E reg 850cc my 1st car, taught me about engines especially breakdowns 😂 but loved it.

[@daviddesert3132]

My mum had a mini in 1971. I was 4. She still goes on about the rear subframe falling out/ was about to fall out. So no mini for me at 17.. I got a Hillman imp. I loved it but soon moved on to a string of Triumphs not paying much attention to minis. 5 years ago l desperatly needed a project and just missed out on a TR4 .. A mk1 Cooper s came up and l grabbed it quick ( Im now in Sweden and it has a very limited amount of classics for sale...you may find 1 tr4 for sale or half a dozen mgb's) To be honest l did not understand how coveted they were. It suits me and the roads near me just perfect.

[@stuartdavies5191]

I had a sucession of metros in the 1980's and 1990's. I remember driving a Friend's Mini City and thinking how much fun it was. I'm 6'4" and it was fine for short journeys. Great video Ed- Many Thanks !

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Stuart :)

[@mattw8332]

I remember when the Mini 30 was launched (I was 11 years old). It was reviewed in the August 1989 issue of What Car? magazine, pitted against 9 other superminis. I thought that the 30 was an excellent bit of packaging and spurred on many other limited edition Minis during the 1990s such as the Equinox and Neon. I myself had a well used 1990 Racing Green 1.0 in 2001 - 2002 which was based on the City.

[@davidhinkson8856]

Another well researched piece - I found it interesting you mentioned the fact that the Metro and Mini were produced in the same factory because I recall when VW introduced the New Beetle in 1998/99, it was built in the same factory in Mexico that was still making the original Beetle for that market.

[@jasonheathcote7407]

I've had my Mini Thirty for over 20 years now, although selling it soon. I had three other Minis from the point I passed my test. I love the things. Mine has been played with, so far from standard. I will miss it when it's gone.

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

I remember these in period, seeing them in showrooms and thought they were lovely cars. This cherry red is gorgeous and really suits the Mini. I remember the Mini Special, which celebrated 20 years too, with its very 70s stripes on the lower doors. Limited colours on those too; silver and black was it? I really am that old! 😂

[@pauljeffries]

The 1979 UK spec 1100 special was supplied in 2 colours, silver with a black vinyl roof, and rose with a tan vinyl roof, there was a lot of (1st) additions to the car , it was the 1st factory mini to be fitted with alloy wheels as standard, the only round nose mini to be fitted with a 1098cc engine, plus a load of other stuff.

[@trevorrichards3948]

I think Rover made a real effort for a few years at least, to address build quality of the mini. You still see minis of late 80s early 90s at shows that haven’t had major restorative work

[@davebicker8618]

Im certain the spiritual successor to the original mini is the Daihatsu Cuore/Perodua Kelisa. The same feedback from the steering, the knowledge if you press on, it will let you know when it's had enough. Likewise the visibility is superb and always makes me grin when i get in. My first car was a 1960 mini, and my '04 plate Prodder was £200 well spent to enjoy a similar ride without the financial grief.

[@christopherchadwick480]

I haven't driven the Daihatsu you mention but my personal pick for the spiritual mini successor would be the Citroen C1. Great fun to drive, surprisingly comfortable on long runs and frugal with the mpg. Reminds me of my old 1275 GT!

[@stephenjones1861]

Another splendid video 👍

[@matthpotte]

We had one of the last BL mini 1000s (registered 1980 W reg) ABE605W, back in 1993, we fitted a ‘studio 2’ limited edition interior, they were so comfy back then. Was a great car but it succumbed to tin worm in the end and was replaced by a K10 micra.

[@GentilsGarage]

Lovely, great video and how you put everything was put into perspective on why the Mini kept going. These special editions certainly added more appeal to a remarkable car.

[@tonycox5625]

Got a 1981 HL in my garage with 38000 on the clock, totally original, has the black bumpers and trim and plaid interior. Just one lady owner from new until my son bought it about 15 yrs ago.

[@stevenharrison9257]

My wife has a beautiful 1997 1275 SPi in British Racing Green with about 38K miles on the odometer (it returned from Japan a few years ago, where they use kilometres). Not only is it cool on the outside, it's fitted with ice-cold air-con; a super cool mini!

[@arkhsm]

That is absolutely gorgeous !!

[@gaufrid1956]

My first two cars when I got my driver's licence in the mid seventies in Australia were a blue 1965 Mini with a white roof and wind up windows (luxury!), and a beige 1963 Mini with sliding windows. They both cost $425 AUD, and the 1963 model replaced the 1965 one that was written off when someone rear-ended it. The insurance payout bought the 1963 Mini. There were fun times including many breakdowns due to wet electricals during thunderstorms, a complete brake failure going downhill when collecting my youngest brother from school, and one of them rolled down the backyard of my parent's house into a tree when the handbrake failed to hold. The doors were still locked and my youngest brother and sister were up in the back bedroom of the house, looking out of the window and laughing as I chased the little car down the hill! None of those things were funny at the time, but driving a Mini was always an adventure.

[@Tom-ok3le]

1275Cooper "S" was real fun ,with 76 BHP , one more than the best ever Mk3 Triumph Spitfire ,with 75 :-), great review ,many thanks from a fellow enthusiast and mechanic to trade . :-)😮

[@ccooper8785]

At 6'4'' I always found it brilliant to drive. Every journey became a gokart race. I would love to own one again but, in the unlikely event I could get in, I would certainly need assistance (and grease/levers) to get back out again.

[@grahamclark4518]

Its you go everywhere flat out . Yeah you get smashed off the celling at every bump

[@ianturner6954]

Brilliant video Ed! Great car great history superbly put together and very well presented! Look out James May!!!

[@simmadpaul2880]

Was at Silverstone for the 30th anniversary. There were minis parked all around the circuit. Think it was a record for the largest gathering of minis at the time. Excellent day out.

[@davidmartin6735]

It was an Excellent Day 🎉 .. Avatar as seen on ITV news 🥳

[@paulrandomview]

Very interesting, thanks. Gorgeous car!

[@andrewkingdon2000]

Good to see the exact correct version early minilite alloys fitted. The ones where the wheel nuts are in a slightly different position. Nice cal all round.

[@6ettinold]

I wanted to find a Mini ready for when I passed my test 24 years ago. I set my heart on a 30 and looked at several. This was when they were all 11 years old & the ones I saw were getting ropey. I ended up with a newly restored 1967 MK1 850 Morris Mini Minor and didn't regret it. My driving instructor dropped me back off after I'd passed my test. I'd got a whole summers afternoon to enjoy my little Mini on my own. I'll never forget it & what a car to start driving in. I paid £1500 for the car.m that would now gust at least £10k now.

[@benc8386]

Great video! I also wonder how many people buying these in 1989 were not buying their first Mini. Anecdotally some people are still buying BMW Minis because they had the Austin kind earlier in their lives.

[@fhwolthuis]

Wonderful car and a top video again, Ed 👌😃

[@TwinCam]

Thanks as always my friend :)

[@Dkmode1]

The string of special editions saved the Mini through the 80s into the 90s

[@steelelfc1]

I agree with you, Red Hot, Jet Black, Sky, Rose, Advantage, Designer etc. Great video non the less

[@michaeltutty1540]

Fantastic video as always, Ed. What a gorgeous car. That colour is amazing. It is rare to find a deep red that is not a burgundy. There is no blue undertone to it. Oddly enough, in 1989 Ford offered a colour called Dark Cranberry Red Metallic. I ordered my 89 Mercury Grand Marquis in it. In the sun, just like this Mini, the paint seemed to glow. I've always sort of regretted not buying a Mini when I could have, but now, I'm too old and too stiff for it.

[@pogues1]

Passed my test first time, 1979 , on cobbled streets around Nelson ,Lancashire in a mini 850, thanks Ken , Belvedere driving school (one car obviously). Bought 3 over the years, now a driving instructor meself in a hybrid Yaris, in the words of Cher , "if I could turn back time".

[@MakerfieldConsort]

Although the quality of the clip leaves a lot to be desired, you can't beat a Raymond Baxter cameo!

[@Mrjim.rockford]

Hi are you in ormskirk, im in maghull and have a mk1 mg metro

[@neilmustow368]

One of my very favourite Mini limited editions the Mini 30 heck 35 years ago I was only 15 years old time flies😎

[@tricialyn4645]

Loved to see this cute little car. It's pretty and all I'd need. You're good at describing it 😊😊😊

[@tristanfletcher6621]

As a car mad ten year old, my mum bought me the black leather bound and gold leaf edged Mini 30 book at my infant school’s jumble sale in 1990 for 50p. Only found out twenty years later it was a very rare book only given to each purchaser of the Mini 30, I sold it on eBay for couple of hundred pounds.

[@timsminigarage]

Body colour wheel arches - factory fitted to Aussie Cooper S Mk2 (and some Mk1 had them fitted to meet state tyre regulations)

[@keithe8449]

They had some other special editions before the 30...the Studio 2.. Advantage.. Chelsea..Jet Black..Mary Quant..The 25 . I bought a brand new Mini City e in 1986 which was great

[@philcrampton4231]

Nearly every single cherry red 30 under went a total repaint before delivery because the pearlescent paint was soo poorly sprayed , dirt in paint etc (probably helped them last a bit longer) worked at dealer at the time

[@TwinCam]

That’s not a story I’ve heard before actually. Especially interesting considering Cherry Red had been available on a raft of Austin Rover cars for two years by this point!

[@philcrampton4231]

@@TwinCam yes other models were better, but I was a Lex Stourbridge and we sold quite a few 30’s all were subject to large amount of rectification, don’t know why. TBH think Mini’s of that vintage had the worst paint in general, then think metro maestro and montego. The r200/400/800 were pretty good

[@TwinCam]

@philcrampton4231 If I recall correctly, a new paint shop was installed at Longbridge for R8 production, which enormously improved paint quality across the range? Certainly, my ‘87 Targa Red Metro isn’t of great quality, but my ‘91 White Diamond Metro is on top of the world in terms of paint, even if the coverage isn’t quite as good on the ‘91 car.

[@philcrampton4231]

@@TwinCam we had a late diamond white MG metro (with the arty graphics) where they obviously hadn’t cleaned the paint lines well enough…. It had a slight pink tint to it 😂

[@garyrobson7849]

Hey Twin Cam! Man I love your videos, got you on my subscriptions and look forward to your releases. 80s and 90s cars are my go to on the tube.

[@TheNewStoryteller]

Lovely another mini to the channel. I can't drive mine I lost the brake pads from when backing down a hill, it collected grooves before falling off underneath.

[@Keithj136]

I'm going to use your full name........Edward this is Quality Street video, i say again your a star. Onward and upward.👍😎

[@shankarbalan3813]

aha good you’re back! a good video as usual and full of detail.

[@colrhodes377]

I've had a number of Mini's and regretted selling them almost as soon as they had gone.

[@Oyvind88]

Love mini and great vieeo, subscribed😎🇧🇻

[@davidpeters6536]

The biggest shame about the Mini was it never made any money. I got one from my dad in 1973 (to share with my mother). I put it in a hedge one evening trying to beat my friend's time in his Fiat 850 Sport on a village to village sprint (no damage, I won the bet later). I bought a customised 1100cc mini myself in 1975. My mother got a Mayfair in about 1989 which she loved. So many memories of a great little car.

[@khandallah4725]

thankyou for the lack of title and backgroud "music" i can take your words seriously because i can hear that you do.

[@Wholiganify]

Another great vid! My gran had a Mini when I was growing up in the '70s. She then changed it for a powder blue Metro L shortly after it was launched. And my first car was a gold Metro L! Sadly I've never owned a Mini. Maybe this is my chance?

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate :)

[@user-iz4pb8jg4d]

Had a mini 1100 special. 20th anniversary model which i think was a more desirable mini than most others.

[@mikerichards9196]

Who wouldn't want to keep driving minis? I don't fit too well in a classic so now it's a 1st gen new mini that I drive. I've had a couple of souped up metros too 😂

[@wattyler4624]

The mini was like your girlfriend for all her faults you just loved her even if you know there was better

[@TC-qd1zw]

The Mini Mayfair Turbo was great.

[@nploates]

Apart from always thoroughly enjoying your well researched videos, I always learn something, thanks. Great little car and colour, but is the colour of the rear panel a bit lighter than the rest of the car?

[@TwinCam]

Thank you my friend :) I can't say I noticed it in person, and the car seems very original. The light in video can do awful things to a car just based off angles.

[@glmm2001]

As a (very) young man at the time, it was beyond my understanding the money Rover was charging for the Mini in the 1990s. Few new car spotted, but surely they were still been selling well enough to justify importing them….

[@theopinionatedbystander]

The reason for keeping the ,imi in production was simple.. age profile.. the thinking was, the metro was a family car, the mini was an old persons car. A two seater plus.. but of course its entry level price meant it was also a car that was perfect for driving schools and therefore became an entry level car to the BL brand. A bait car, and in short any car that would bring a buyer to BL meant one less to Ford/Renault/ etc..

[@garyrobson7849]

Can I be indiscreet? Ok sorry I’ll take that as a a yes. A talented guy like yourself who shares my passions

[@club_rock]

ICONIC MINI When Britain was british 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧

[@craigm2]

Top video - agree totally. One question, I forget now, but did the checkmate, flame red and racing green come out after the 30 or at the same time? With the classic two tone colours and minilites, I always mentally attributed them to reminding everyone that a cooper was an idea still worth trying out.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Craig 🙂 The Racing Green, Flame Red, Checkmate, and the Mini Sky all launched just before the Mini 30 I believe, testing the waters for the Mini Cooper the following year. As for Minilites, however, I don’t believe any of them were originally fitted with them. Certainly, the press photos show them on steelies with trims, but I believe that many were up-spec’d by dealers with Minilites once the 30 came in. Happy to be corrected, however.

[@craigm2]

@@TwinCam ahh - I stand corrected - I’ve probably only seen examples over the years with aftermarket wheels. Ohmigosh, the pastel minis, I’d forgotten them - wasn’t there a sister car to the sky - in pink or something?? In the 80s, my mum won a mini city - oyster beige - ugh, unsellable colour!!

[@TwinCam]

@craigm2 Yes sorry I forgot it - the Sky and Rose were the two! As I said though, I’m happy to be corrected if necessary. A friend of mine has an immaculate Racing Green, and that has Minilites on it. In fact, it has very early Rover Minilites on it with the wheel nuts in line with the spokes. The Japanese safety regulator complained about their strength soon after, so all mainstream Coopers had their wheel nuts between the spokes. Have that for nerdery! 😅

[@craigm2]

@@TwinCam wow - definitely using that one with car nerd pals!!

[@ctucker1906]

The mini flame and Racing, were released a second time (1990) with rover minilites and slightly lower gearing 3/4 diff according to the brochure

[@timothylanders3189]

The Mini has the past pedigree to rest it's laurels on & is much better looking than the Metro by leaps & bounds :) Watching that awkward handling of the metro was brutal. Woudld'nt even be in the ball park compared to the mini's handling...

[@russellhammond4373]

Thanks for the history lesson. Leyland Australia was allowed to die so a number of vehicles never made it here.

[@TheLemon777]

The Innocenti Mini 90/120 (P53) should have been sold here in the UK I thought, Would people have bought it? anyway still love the old cute mini.

[@thatcheapguy525]

great presentation as always Ed. you have to be a Mini adict to call it 'the greatest car ever made.' the Mini was for sure a genuine game changer, a line in the sand from which the (non-American) automotive industry would go forward from. of all the cars that came into our garage in my youth the Mini was one of my least favourites because of how awkward and cramped it was to work on plus all the heavy structural rust caused by the build up of compacted mud between the body and subframes. for everything that's so right about the Mini there's so much wrong with it. in fact, such was my dislike of the Mini, when it came to buying my first car I got an Imp and on the tiniest of budgets I turned it into a 1275GT beater. but hey-ho, nobody and no car is perfect. I went on to own 2 Alfasuds, an Alfetta GT and Cortina 2000GT before hitting 20. its all about what works for the individual.

[@TwinCam]

Minis aren't perfect. Not by a long way. But cars are so much more than operational competence. The Mini was a maverick, full of character and designed by a man who was totally uncompromising. Issigonis' lack of compromise got him sacked from BL in the end, but the cars he created were magical as a result.

[@thatcheapguy525]

@@TwinCam absolutely Ed and I would never want to dampen the passion anyone has for the Mini; it is a true icon. in some ways the Mini sums up Issigonis. if he'd left BL in good time for another maybe we would be enjoying many more of his creations using others' running gear.

[@ethelmini]

Minis don't rot where the subframes are, they rot where the subframes aren't. The first bits to go were where they got salt blasted by the wheels. The exception is where they put anti drumming mat on top of the rear frame, but it's far from the first bit to need attention.

[@jamesengland7461]

Dream car ❤❤❤

[@martinlewis967]

I had an 1100 special and later a 1990 carb cooper both of which I sold for scrap value 😢

[@philtucker1224]

Great episode Ed, I was rather distracted by your very nice square wristwatch. What make is it please?

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Phil 🙂 It’s only a Casio M305 - though it’s not a UK model. I had it imported 🤫

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Great little car but I will stick with my Suzuki Cappuccino. Another brilliant review thanks.

[@philtucker1224]

Super-rare and lovely 👍

[@TwinCam]

Very different kind of car of course, but I’d *love* a Cappuccino. Or a Honda Beat. Or an Autozam AZ-1. In fact, just give me a kei sports car!! 😆

[@TwinCam]

And thank you very much! 🙂

[@philtucker1224]

You’re right about the beautiful colour Ed! - I sprayed my mini a similar shade (Jaguars Claret) back in 1972 which was nice, but I had never heard of clearcoat back then! Happy days 🇬🇧

[@philpoole5670]

Still the best

[@321-Gone]

The mini was a small cheap car, made cool by good marketing, so richer folks would buy them, and poorer folks could afford them. It's a pretty good way to do things. Unfortunately the Mini and Bug remakes lost sight of that so they kinda suck.

[@JamesMcCown-yf3qf]

This car dates from a time when people actually drove. Today's cars are so filled with gimmicks and "driver friendly" nonsense that we are benumbed in "driving" them.

[@darrensmith6999]

The Sick man of Europe then and in 2024 the sick man of Europe now (:

[@GetInGarage]

love minis, never owned one thou

[@stuartleckie]

Try owning one, you might love them a lot less. 🤪

[@Michel-r6m]

The Mini became branding instead of a product.

[@Toolbod]

I’ve never owned a mini. But I totally get how some cars can override your common sense and practicality. We have a 2010 Toyota Aygo. Which is poorly built. Cheaply built. Has a sloppy gearbox and no seat adjustment. But it just can’t help reving like a sewing machine. You have to lean into a roundabout as if riding a bike. The more modern iteration is bland and sanitised by comparison. . It’s the most fun I’ve had in a car since I owned a 2cv. 😊

[@MePeterNicholls]

I learnt in a rover mini. 1.3i cooper

[@philtucker1224]

👍 I learnt in my dad’s fern green mini van back in 1971 ( I think the test cost 17/6 which seemed a lot at the time!) 😁

[@stevetaylor8698]

I'm 70 and have never driven a Mini, or for that matter, a Metro.

[@tonycox5625]

I'm 70 and I've had Mini's and Metro's, Mini's are like driving a go kart, great fun, not the new ones though! 😡😊

[@stevetaylor8698]

@@tonycox5625 I did have a slow start, didn't actually own a car until my 30s, even then it was a Skoda - a proper one with the engine in the back.

[@stephenwestley1017]

In 1991 I was looking for a car the metro or mini I bought a cranberry red mayfair auto

[@RobinTheMini]

To be honest I am not convinced that the 30 edition saved the Mini... if any boosted the brand towards the 90's it was the Cooper.

[@TwinCam]

The Cooper is the car that took it on, but the 30, before the Cooper and before its preceding LEs, was what made the Cooper possible. Without the 30, it all collapses.

[@RobinTheMini]

@@TwinCam but weren't both new Coopers and Thirtly launched at the same time? (1989)

[@Dkmode1]

​@@RobinTheMiniRSP came first in 1990. The Cooper came a couple of years later

[@tbeau6663]

I hated the Metro with a passion, as I did the Allegro, Ital/Marina, Montego and Maestro. An embarrassment to the previous BMC cars I loved as a child

[@TwinCam]

Why?

[@gordtulk]

An acceptable car for uk/Western Europe. In North America- not so much

[@grahamclark4518]

The minis like a excitable wee yappy dog, I'm sure if you threw it a ball it'd run after it, I'm itching to get mine back, Its away for restoration, Yes a complete everything's shot to buggery type. that wasn`t the original plan............It kind of went that way

[@VgAce135]

Slap an EV powertrain in there and that car would be a blast!!

[@TwinCam]

I like EVs very much. In fact, I’d like to restomod a Citroen DS someday with electric power. But for me, an EV conversion would ruin a Mini. Partly due to the weight - a Mini drives how it does thanks to its low kerb weight - but also due to the character of the A-Series engine. Dinosaur muncher though it may be, the A-Series is central to the Mini’s brilliance in my view.

[@VgAce135]

@@TwinCam Felton makes a drop in kit for the classic Minis that weighs the same I believe.

[@TwinCam]

@VgAce135 I assume a small pack where the fuel tank was, and maybe another atop the drive motor?

[@Richard-Bullock]

I still want a Mini. But every time I look online, I realise I can only afford some nasty, horrible, basket case.

[@TSCLRJ1]

@@Richard-Bullock are you Richard Bullock from Tarleton?

[@Richard-Bullock]

@@TSCLRJ1 No. Sorry. Different Richard Bullock.