(random Friday discussion)

I was gazing out the window at my office during a "thrilling" meeting, perusing the sea of cars parked below when my little eye spied a dark blue Jag S-type. I was drawn to it out of all the cars. "Cousin" thought I. Yup, when I see Jags I sense a familial link w/ my MINI...being a traditionally British marque.

So who do you see "out there" that you feel a connection with as you motor about in your MINI?

 

How about MG's, I always like the MGB GT's. Triumph's are nice too, specifically the TR6.

I remember from the window sticker, a significant portion of the MINI is made of German parts, and the engine is from Brazil as we all know, so our cars are pretty cosmopolitan, actually. What's that phrase we learned in HS English class? The world's a village or something like that, in this case it's pretty close.

 

To me modern day Jaguars are nothing but rebadged or "glorified" Fords assembled in England.

I see our MINIs better related to old British steel... Austin Healeys, Sprite Bug Eyes, Trimphs, MGB's, etc

 

I have always identified the MCS hoodscoop with the Austin Healey. Can you see the family resemblance?

 

My list is huge. Mostly British vehicles, any British Leyland vehicle, any vehicle previously built in the Crowley, Oxford, UK plant [and because of BMW ownership, design and production technology] any German BMW would be my MINIKIN too Look at your VIN and VIN sticker on the door jamb... Most cars starting with a "W" are German eventhough it's built in the UK.

From Wikipedia.org...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_MINI
"MINI is both the name of a subsidiary of BMW, and a car produced by that subsidiary since 2001. The car is marketed as a "retro" redesign of the original (or 'classic') Mini and is often called 'The BMW MINI' or 'The New MINI' to distinguish it from its predecessor (which ceased production in 2000 after over 40 years of continuous manufacture). The MINI is built in Cowley in Oxford, United Kingdom. Historically this was the Morris car plant but it is now owned and operated by BMW. The name 'MINI' is always written in capitals to distinguish it from the classic Mini."

The Austin Healey "bonnet" scoop is uber kewl. Yes, a few too many late night pub sessions no doubt helped carry on the bonnet scoop legacy.

 

I have an MCSC so whenever I see another motoring topless I can kinda feel them

 

I have to confess that, apart from the British tradition part, I do feel a sense of kinship w/ Beetle owners and even xB owners. Why? Because I think perhaps the owners are willing to drive something that has some level of personal fun-factor, or are willing to drive something they personally like, even though it is a bit out of the ordinary. In this regard confess I even (occasionally) have a soft spot for Jeeps and Hummers.

 

For me, I feel at least some kinship to ::most of:: the cars that I typically autocross against/with. The cars may not be that related, but we have a connection on the track.

 

^^ +1

 

Any british vehicle with wings incorporated into the logo: Aston Martin, Bentley, Morgan, did I miss any others? JB

 

I understand this, despite the fact that even lot of MINI drivers don't appreciate the "fun factor" ( *grumbling* stupid non-wavers ).

Tomorrow is Rolling British Car Day here. I'll get to see LOTS and LOTS of "kin", and find out how well-received the MINI is by owners of MGs etc.

 

Any econo hatch with a sport attitude. Ford Focus ZX, Rabbit/Golf GTI, Renault Le CAr turbo.

Really any little car that "Thought it was big"


Paul

 

KIN? I consider only BMWs and Minis kin; I do however identify with Jeep owners as they have a similar community and uniqueness to them. I also identify with the other non-Birtish owned British cars.

 

I do believe my Mini is a orpan, but does feel a kindred spirit with other convertibles

 

From a front wheel drive performance perspective, I feel the MCS has a kinship with the Honda DC2 Integra Type R. They are very close, both with their numbers and shear pleasure to drive.

 

The BMW 2002 - to me the 2002 kind of represents the RWD equivalent of the Mini.

 

I see MINI's kinship with very little few English cars...it's much more complex than that for me...

The MINI has the the right small displacement magic and "LUST FACTOR", and "must haves qualities" at the right time and the right place which made their presense "timeless"...

My picks for blood line...

1-CRX Si gen one
2-R5 Turbo Maxi
3-BMW 2002
4-Datsun 510
5-Lotus 7
6-Mazda RX7 series one
7-Triumph GT6


To me it has nothing to do with just being a English car