Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Mini, the little car with the big personality, has marked its 55th anniversary in style with fans and owners gathering for an International Mini Meeting (IMM) in the English county of Kent.
The event, which attracted hoards of devotees, featured a host of games and activities as well as a display of the iconic marque’s most popular models.
The vehicles on show ranged from one of the very first off the production line dating back to 1960 to a classic Clubman Estate, a Special Edition from 1984 through to the stylish modern-day favourites.
Guests of honour at the anniversary included Paddy Hopkirk, who achieved the brand’s first win at the Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S 50 years ago and renowned stunt driver Russ Swift, who demonstrated some of his tricks.
This year fans designed and produced hundreds of individual stickers featuring messages and pictures. The best designs will go on show later this year at a special Mini Exhibition at the BMW Museum in Munich.
When the first classic Mini, made in the English midlands city of Birmingham, went on the market in 1959, few could have predicted its impact and longevity.
Two models were presented to the public 55 years ago, which differed solely in their radiator grille, hub caps and paint finishes – these were the Morris Mini Minor and the Austin Seven.
Designer Alec Issigonis’ concept was simple: lots of interior space combined with minimum exterior dimensions, four seats, low fuel consumption and a reasonable price. These principals had an impact that has extended into the 21st Century.
Since then, the marque has achieved acclaim and shot to worldwide fame after being used in the hit movie, The Italian Job.
The 1969 British caper film, starring the world’s most infamous Cockney, Sir Michael Cain, is about a heist in which three Minis are able to navigate a city’s gridlock in unconventional ways.
Not only did the movie showcase the prowess of the cars, it also brought the brand a cult following, which is just as prominent today.
Besides their Hollywood history, there are other, more important, reasons for their worldwide adoration – the way they look and handle.
Although the marque has come in many variations over the years, its iconic design is instantly recognisable. The aggressive front-end with its short nose, low bonnet and the wrap-around beltline are all distinctive features that make this marque look effortlessly cool.
Almost 10 years after The Italian Job, demand for the Mini was still strong and it had earned such a following that enthusiasts decided to get together to show off their gleaming motors.
The IMM was first held in Germany in 1978 – at that time it was a relatively small-scale three-day camping event. Its popularity increased over the years and as fans were prepared to travel further and further, the organisers turned it into an international meet.
The IMM takes place in a different country every year, but it returns to the UK every five years to mark the brand’s significant anniversaries.
Today the range comprises a large number of models: starting with the classic body variant of the Mini, it includes the Mini Clubman, the Mini Convertible, the Mini Coupé and the Mini Roadster, going right through to the Mini Countryman and the Mini Paceman.
The brand began another chapter of its success story in spring 2014 when the new Mini 5-door went on the market.
The Mini 5-door is nothing short of a roadworthy go-kart. Short overhangs, a low centre of gravity combined with a wide track and rigid chassis make it one of the most exciting 5-door cars out there on the street today, its makers say.
It is aiming to build on the reputation of previous models.
With its two extra doors, the model boasts additional space and 50-litres more volume in the boot.
With available features like Mini Connected XL Journey Mate, navigation is made easier. It informs the driver about points of interest, such as where the nearest petrol station is.
It also provides access to web radio stations as well as real-time traffic and weather information.
Apart from the space and additional doors, it still looks like a Mini and has the same fundamental proportions and low centre of gravity to improve handling.
The multi-link rear axle suspension and shock absorbers that are decoupled from the body give you the comfort of a saloon car, its makers say. It boasts 19bhp and goes from 0-100kmph in 6.8 seconds.
The Mini marque has been a big hit in Bahrain too and is a hot seller at the Euro Motors dealership, remarkably popular with both men and women of all ages, locals and expats alike.
A Union Jack Mini was recently one of the stars of the British Week staged in the kingdom when it made its appearance through the narrow streets of the souq and visited local schools.
