During a walk in Dresden, Germany, today, I was reminded of Dan's central exhaust tattoo post on our 2007 Mini Cooper S. You'll note that the pipes on this well-preserved old-world Mini (ill-fitting driver door excepted) stick out, too.
But I bet it has a spare tire.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor
dougtheeng says:
12:44 PM, 07/15/08
What a great car, I love the classics.
vvk says:
01:13 PM, 07/15/08
Since the old one has a bottom hinged trunk lid, it would be next to impossible to burn oneself while using the trunk.
firstwagon says:
06:59 PM, 07/15/08
Yep, it really is a contender for the best designed car ever. Amazing what it can do considering it make the new Mini look huge.
I remember in college riding around in one with with 3 of my friends. All of us were over 6 feet tall.
Everything about gives you the impression a lot of thought was put into even the smallest components.
txmatt1 says:
07:30 AM, 07/16/08
I'm guessing the Mini pictured is a 1990's vintage built-by-Rover Mini. While not the new Mini we're used to, it's still a relatively new Mini. I much prefer the design/style of the more original version than the BMW-newMini version.
redgoatee7 says:
08:47 AM, 07/16/08
it's amazing how truly mini the original mini was.
and that mini probably has a spare tire because 10" tires are much easier to store...
77cobraii says:
10:20 AM, 07/16/08
So that car, by the way, is a Sportpack Mini. Most likely from the late 90s (they made them until 2000). It probably has fuel injection and an air bag. The wheels are 13".
Take a look at that nasty rust in the back.
I have an old Mini (right hand drive) and brave the streets of Brooklyn, NY with it. Great car.
firstwagon says:
05:05 PM, 07/16/08
That's nasty rust on a 10+ year old car??? HA!
You should have seen the rust on my Dad's 74 Austin back in Ottawa, Ontario. We did manage to keep it on the road for 9 years but I think every body panel (that could be unbolted) had been changed and the rest were stuffed with bondo.
When I last saw the car, it had a black hood and trunk, dark blue doors and primer rocker panels to go with it's Lime green body.
It was a good car and I still miss it but wow, did it ever rust.
hondacura4 says:
06:43 PM, 07/16/08
Clear tail lenses make me puke.
James Riswick says:
03:49 PM, 07/17/08
It never ceases to amaze me just how ridiculously mini the original Mini is. That '90s-era Nissan Micra next to it looks comparatively huge.
firstwagon says:
10:22 PM, 07/17/08
"Ridiculously" is the wrong word. You should replace it with "wonderfully".