BMW won’t build this classic Mini Electric, but we wish they would

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We have good news, and we have bad news. First, the good: BMW is showing off this ridiculously fun classic Mini at the New York Auto Show, complete with the addition of a fully modernized electric powertrain. And now, the bad: It's a one-off that will not be put into production. To clarify, Mini will indeed unveil a full electric model sometime in 2019, but it'll be based on the new Cooper, not the classic you see here.

Continue reading BMW won't build this classic Mini Electric, but we wish they would

BMW won't build this classic Mini Electric, but we wish they would originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2018 17:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Brown Automotive remasters classic Mini at maxi price

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A luxurious treatment of the Mini.

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David Brown Automotive remasters classic Mini at maxi price originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Apr 2017 09:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The original Mini Cooper still has universal appeal

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Petrolicious Classic Mini

It sold over five million units. It was voted the second most influential car of the last century, bested only by the pioneering Ford Model T. It counted among its owners Steve McQueen, Enzo Ferrari and Peter Sellers. It is the classic Mini.

The tiny, two-box, four-seat hatch is an automotive icon of the first order and it's high time it featured in an episode of Petrolicious. Of course, the video gurus did it right, filming this handsome 1971 Mini, which has been modified to accommodate the 1,275-cc four-cylinder from the Mini Cooper S of the time.

Its owner, Sumner Norman, describes life with his right-hand-drive, UK-spec Mini. Naturally, he points out some of the idiosyncrasies inherent with a car built under the guise of British Leyland, including some of well known reliability woes, which he says is the car "going British." Mostly, though, he just seems to have a good time with the little hatch.

Take a look at the latest from Petrolicious and this plucky British import.

Continue reading The original Mini Cooper still has universal appeal

The original Mini Cooper still has universal appeal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW restores classic Mini as it revives production in Netherlands

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1959 Austin Seven Mini reBorn

Mini will be kicking off production in the Netherlands, a country that hasn't built a Mini-badged machine since 1966. In honor of this event, BMW Group Classic, the team responsible for all the cars in the BMW Museum, as well as being a spare parts and restoration company in its own right, revived a classic 1959 Austin Seven. That particular car, number 983, was one of the first Minis to be built in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands' JJ Molenaar's Car Companies built 4,000 Austin Sevens and Morris Mini-Minors between 1959 and 1966, although we imagine Dutch Mini production will be much bigger when it starts up again in summer 2014. A five-person team from VDL Nedcar, the group handling production of new Minis, took to the job of restoring the diminutive British car from nose to tail.

The 34-horsepower engine and the transmission were both completely rebuilt, while the door panels were redone by hand. Help from the Mini community aided the VDL Nedcar team in finding authentic replicas or original parts where possible. All told, the new classic Mini is a striking example of what a good restoration can do to a car. The Seven was repainted in its original Farina Gray, adding to the car's sense of authenticity.

Take a look at the extensive gallery up top, and see just how sharp this 1959 Mini is. We also have a press release from BMW below that details the rebuild, as well.

Continue reading BMW restores classic Mini as it revives production in Netherlands

BMW restores classic Mini as it revives production in Netherlands originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Nov 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Classic Rover Mini is a passion-inspiring plaything

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1998 Rover Mini Paul Smith Special Edition

Ask anyone that's driven a classic Mini, and they'll probably tell you that their first reaction to driving it was a lot like the start of this video - whooping, shouting, laughing and a whole lot of smiling. This video, from Jon Quirk, editor-in-chief at Auto Trader UK, highlights the connection between him and his Rover Mini Paul Smith. He really nails the man-machine interface that makes owning a great car so much fun. Besides that, Quirk does a good job of enumerating what is so enjoyable about driving a fun car on a twisting road.

For our British readers, this video is also meant to test the waters for a new format from Auto Trader UK, called "I Bought One." With Quirk's Mini, the car-buying site is looking at telling the story of people and their interesting cars. We think this video is a great start, with high production value and solid content. Head on over to the YouTube channel, and let them know what you think. But first, scroll on down for the entire video on this awesome Rover Mini.

Continue reading Classic Rover Mini is a passion-inspiring plaything

Classic Rover Mini is a passion-inspiring plaything originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sorting through the rat’s nest that is Mini’s model history

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What do Austin, Morris, British Motor Corporation, British Motor Holdings, British Leyland, Rover Group, and BMW all have in common? Each company has had a hand in bringing the world a sprightly, fuel-efficient, front-wheel-drive fun box on wheels - the Mini.

The Sir Alec Issigonis-designed car has been sold under more brand names and with more model designations than most of us would guess. For seven generations of the classic Mini, from 1959 to 2000, the car carried a bewildering number of model names as well. (Note that's even before BMW took over the nameplate, and starting building cars styled as "MINI" rather than "Mini" in 2001.)

As is its wont, Hemmings Daily has taken the time to break down the complex lineage of the car, with a kind of model etymology that makes for a pretty entertaining read. Click over to the site to give it a go; but check out our gallery of classic Mini pictures before you jump.

Sorting through the rat's nest that is Mini's model history originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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