I was looking online for pictures of the Austin Powers MC, and ran across this article from last year. As I'm browsing the photos, I notice what looks to be a very early design. The tach and speedo are switched! Wierd. Anyways...check it out if your interested. Article

 

Very interesting, but they did say...

Also, why is it soooo expensive in Austrailia? I don't think I'd be driving if I had to pay $38K...

 

>>Also, why is it soooo expensive in Austrailia? I don't think I'd be driving if I had to pay $38K...


....It's an exchange rate thing.

 

Still pretty pricey - that's USD22,255 for a basic Cooper .at today's exchange rate. But then, Fosters is cheaper down under, so they have more money to spend.

 

Hmmmm.... True.

Then I guess (and that's all it is) that it might be a standard of living thing, too!

 

All cars are relatively expensive in Aus. Something to do with the high import duties, small market size, transport costs and limited competition. And there is the exchange rate thing of course.

 

Wow that looks cool, hows it for driving convenience?

 

I wonder why there are idiot lights and the OBC display on both?

 

Is it really switched or does it look switched because the one in the pic is a right hand drive? Mick

 

Think about it, and get back to us!

Matt

 

Oh, do I detect a bit of mech-snobbery and sarcasm? Humor me...I am learning....not a dumb question.... Mick

 

they're really switched... note the RPM on the large gauge. it's an australian thing.

 

Snobber, no. It would have been unkind, had I not posted the winky thinggy....

Original Minis had the speedo in the center of the dash. If you don't get the Nav, it's still there. Well, everywhere but Australia, I guess.....

So in the photo posted there's a big tach in the center of the dash, and there's a little speedo over the steering wheel. Every other place gets a little tach over the speedo, and a big speedo in the center.

Matt

 

Okay, thanks, gotcha...now I feel a little more intelligent because I eventually would like to go to MINI functions where everyone stands around and talks tech stuff about their MINIs and how they accessorized them and stuff...I don't want to be just another dumb broad hanging around since I am too old to be one of those young chicks you see draped over the cars.... Mick

 

The reason for the switched tach and speedo in Aus is a law that the speedo MUST be within a certain number of degrees of the driver's line of sight. Center of the dash is too far to the left of the driver.