This afternoon, Jim McDowell addressed the infamous Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society. Jim is the VP of MINI USA but first a bit about the Chowder Society is appropriate for those of you who may never have heard of it.

The Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society was founded in 1957, and has been meeting at Sardi's restaurant for lunch each month ever since its inception. Today was the 49th anniversary meeting. Known familiarly as the "Chowder Society," membership is comprised primarily of media – magazine, newspaper, television, radio, advertising – and public relations/communications professionals, who are involved in the automotive scene, either as a vocation or an avocation but there are the occasional non-professionals like myself that just love cars.

Over the years anyone who is anyone has been to a meeting. Brock Yates, Danny Sullivan, Chris Economacki, Carroll Shelby, Dutch Mandel. Anyone who loves cars and racing is welcome although this is a formal bunch. When my brother took me to my first meeting years ago he told me that this was a "suit and tie crowd" and they are. But a more fun loving bunch would be hard to assemble. You should hear the story about the time one of the members drove his motorcycle in through the front door of Sardi's up to the bar and ordered a drink. He was in full leathers. <G> Or the planning of the start of the real "Cannonball Run" or the "Crosstown Rally". Needless to say, this is a group of guys (very few women but there are some) that love cars and living large.

That said, Jim McDowell started his presention talking about the history of the Mini and the planning of the Mini's introduction into North America. How well it was received and how different the Mini marketing is from any other marquee. He showed the Counterfit Mini commercial and a bunch of pictures of Mini's on the Mountain and different customized rides from around the country. Of the 80 or so people there, I was one of only two that owned a new Mini. The table I was at were Alfa guys and since this club sponsors the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance my guess is that their garages have cars that I can only dream about or see on vintage race or rally days. I heard talk of Barrett-Jackson and going to Monaco. I live vicariously through whomever I am sitting with.

But they were really interested in the Mini. A few members had classics at one time or another and were interested in the new Mini for lots of reasons not the least for their sons, daughters, nephews or summer homes. Mini USA brought a JCW that was parked outside and lots of members were trying it on when I left. And Mini did give one lucky member a weeks ride in the JCW which I suspect will sell at least one more car in Connecticut.

So, the Mini made us proud today in a room full of real auto enthusiasts. I wish some of you could have been there.

Rich