Saw a Mini 7 Edition at the dealer today. Nice looking car. Special wheels, special seat covering, tan belt line and tan roof.

What is the significance of the "7" ?

 

Homage to the Austin 7 from the 1950's -- Some say the Austin 7 was the first real MINI.

 

First Post!

Actually the original Austin 7 is much older, from the 1920s, and is somewhat analogous to the Ford Model T. Austin named a car after it in the 1950/, and a version of the old Mini shortly after its introduction.

An interesting piece of datum for us Mini enthusiasts is that the first BMW was a licensed Austin 7! According to the Top Gear trio, the Austin 7 was also the first car to have what we would consider to be modern controls.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_7

I was in the market for a newer hardtop to replace my R56, saw the 7 at the dealership and went for it this week, in British Racing Green. Pictures to follow. I've named it Mr. Bridger, in honor of the Noel Coward character in the 1969 version of The Italian Job.

Personally I find the stripes to be a little too much on the hood but the rest of that I find to be a nice upgrade from the standard mini. It has solicited a lot of positive comments...

 

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Interesting bit of additional trivia. Our British mechanic, who worked on our old Jags here in SoCal until his recent death, was Richard Essame, who played Tony in the 1969 Italian Job. He drove a Mini in the film and the red Jag XKE in the film was his car. Richard is partially responsible for my passion for English cars.

And while it is correct that the original Austin 7 predates MINI by several decades, it is said to be the 1950's Austin 7 to which the current 7 pays tribute.

 

Very interesting....thanks for sharing!

 

 

Good point as to which car is being commemorated by the name...

And I have a reason to watch The Italian Job again to look out for Tom's scenes!

 

 

Looks like the original was a real POS to me! What's the new Mini got on it besides seatcovers and wheels? That any pix?

 

Perhaps yes, but a charming one -- one I'd love to own now in mint condition. 70MPH woo hoo!

And one can see how the front of the 3rd Gens still pays homage, slightly.

 

Richard Essame, model, actor, mechanic

 

That's my man! Took care of our Jags 'til he passed over the bar a couple of years ago. Ran a shop in Long Beach, CA called Silver Motors. Mostly Jags and Rolls Royce, and a few old Austins and MG's and,of course, MINI's.

Thanks for digging up the photo. Brought a tear. He was a real gentleman and a magician when it came to fixing older English cars.