Article from Jalopnik, written by Jason Torchinsky

At this very moment, I’m on the half of the Earth I usually don’t get to visit: the lower half. Specifically, I’m in Temuco, Chile, where I’m taking part in a drive with three Mini Countryman Hybrids which are attempting to drive the entire Pan-American Highway, from Texas all the way to the Earth’s appendix—Tierra del Fuego. But what I want to talk to you about tonight are different Minis—specifically, old ones, and even more specifically, a very particular type of classic Mini that was only made in Chile.

(Full Disclosure: Mini flew me down to South America for this road trip, and paid for my food, lodging and booze. Expect more dispatches from the trip soon.)

I better explain. Just yesterday, I learned about a type of Mini I was unfamiliar with from one of BMW/Mini’s representatives on the trip. This was a Mini made in Chile from around 1968 or 1969 to 1974. And, unlike any other factory Mini made anywhere, it had a body made of fiberglass.

Story and photoset continues at the original Jalopnik article...

 

Great stuff to post.

 

Cool read!