I will admit it, I kind of got sucked into this MINI thing. It makes sane, grown men, and women, do things they normally wouldn’t do. What am I talking about? How about I:

• Keep looking at all the cool roof graphics although I already got one
• Keep trying to figure out how to save enough money for the next “mod”
• Keep looking at tires to replace the RFs although I probably got two years before that will happen
• Get up at 2 AM to look out the bedroom window at the roof
• Can’t wait to see another MINI on the road to wave … and then get mad because I missed them

What is it about MINIs that drive normally sane people to such extremes? I think its duende. What’s that?

It’s a Spanish word made famous by the columnist George Frazier many years ago. Its something like this … some things have “class” or are “charismatic” but some things have that “thing” that goes way beyond having “class” and that is called “duende”. Its easier to understand by example. You know it when you see it. For example

Candy (one of my favorites). Hershey bars have class. M&Ms have duende. They are timeless.

Elvis was charismatic but the Chairman of the Board had duende.

A ’63 split window Vette had class but a ’64 XKE had duende

Look at all the cars today and what do you see? I see a lot of boxes that all look alike. Cookie cutters.

MY MINI has duende and I’m sticking to that story (otherwise I can’t explain getting up at 2 AM to look out at the roof!)

Does your MINI have duende?

 

Based on your decription, I'd definitely have to agree that my MINI has duende!!!!! Classic Minis got it...and passed right along to it's updated sib!

That's my story, too!! (otherwise I can't explain checking on my MINI in the middle of the night through binoculars to see if it's okay down in the parking lot!)

 

WHOA, you got it bad dude And I thought I was bad!

 

Awesome, MINI-cult behavior.....big thumbs-up, GKR!

Wanda is brimming with duende.....I love to give her makeovers, varying her graphics at least annually! Still peek out the window to lovingly admire her lovely physique!


Clover

 

Yessir! My first MINI had it (still does for her new owners!)
My new MINI will also.

The New Oxford English Dictionary defines duende as:
1. A ghost, an evil spirit
2. Inspiration, magic, fire.

...and Random House Dictionary says:
1. A goblin, demon, spirit
2. Charm, magnetism.

My MINI certainly has Inspiration, magic, fire, charm and magnetism....
...and I'm pretty certain that evil spirts are at work on me when out driving!

 

The first three definitions are the original Spanish interpretation of the word.

The last definition came about because George Frazier, a columist in the 1960s started to constantly use it ... meaning something with MORE than charm... magentism is good.

I quote:
"The late Boston fashion and cultural columnist George Frazier was fond of the word "duende," a more sophisticated variant of the word style. Duende connotes a quality more powerful and charismatic than mere style; duende is style with more depth, something more timeless and transcendent. Duende is swanky and showy, with just a bit of understatement thrown in to prevent any potential descent into garish outrageousness. Duende, a word of Andalusian origin that meant hobgoblin, reminds me of the slang word dude, which, as you will �nd in the Oxford English Dictionary, is related to the word subdued.

Put simply, Frank was a dude who had duende ..."

http://www.organicanews.com/news/art...fm?story_id=45

Frank being the Chairman of the Board.

I particularly like this part:

Duende connotes a quality more powerful and charismatic than mere style; duende is style with more depth, something more timeless and transcendent. Duende is swanky and showy, with just a bit of understatement thrown in to prevent any potential descent into garish outrageousness.

I think the current MINI is "timeless". Dress it up a bit and it is "swanky" and "showy" but never garish!

Perfect description!

I might add, that if your a Red Sox fan, they didn't think the 2004 Sox had Duende while the 1967 Sox did

 

That's nothing. I sometimes go to the garage and talk to my MINI in the middle of the night.

Another description of "duende" is "elf", can you remember Spiderman 1?

 

Yeah, I do not know about the duende thing, however I can put mine in evil spirit, demon spirit class.