Sign up to receive the weekly newsletter featuring the very latest from Petrolicious. Don’t be left out—join the ranks of those who Drive Tastefully.
Already a member? Log in
We're glad you're back.
Not a member yet? Sign up
We'll get you back on track.
I had a ’66 Austin with the 1098, dual carbs and a twin outlet highflow muffler. Awesome little car, so loved taking 90 degree corners at 50 and have the car skip over to the side once or twice then shoot up the on ramp. I burned through tires but it was so fun and little 10″ Pirelli’s were $35 at the time, Sadly it needed some more pricey repairs and I was young and broke so I sold it, still regret it.
Hi Sumner,
I loved watching your video and your enthusiasm for your vintage Mini. I just wanted to let you know that at one point all of the Beatles owned Minis, because they were purchased for them by their manager, Brian Epstein. There is actually one still in existence, it was the car owned by Brian Epstein, and if you visit Kauai, you can see the car and hear the wonderful story of its rescue by the owner of the Kauai Country Inn, Mike (who is a amazing storyteller, by the way.). I think the only requirement is that you stay at the Kauai Country Inn, but it’s a wonderful place to stay, and well worth it to see the only Beatles museum in North America!
Hi Jo, Thanks for watching; I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the comment, too! My wife and I had been trying to figure this out, actually. We knew at least three members had one, but weren’t sure about the fourth (I forget which one). I love hearing the little historical points of the mini’s history. If I ever have the chance to visit Kauai, I will absolutely make sure to visit the Country Inn. Again, thanks for sharing. Really cool story to hear 🙂
I just love my original Mini. I have an original Mini cabriolet. This is a factory made Mini convertible. Less than 300 were produced in all. My car is left had drive as it was originally sold in Germany. I have owned this car for about 10 years now but I have had a few other original Minis. This one is my favorite one and a keeper. Nothing in the world drives like an original Mini. It is like a go cart for adults. You floor the pedal and steer it. It is probably one of the most forgiving cars as far as handeling is concerned ever made. If I am depressed or upset I take a drive in my Mini and I feel better. If you are into cars you need to drive one as it is like nothing else ever made.
Thanks Sumner, your car is absolutely great and it was a pleasure to hear you talk about it.
How refreshing it is to see an intelligent, eloquent and passionate young individual who is interested in cars, their history, how they operate and drives a stick (on the right hand side no less!)?
There is hope for the future after all…
I am visiting family here in Los Angeles, and I am surprised at how much the mini has become a superstar here with Gen Y. There is a museum-quality Mini sales and repair building in North Hollywood, I was shocked when I drove by it last night. It’s not just the modern day mini’s either. Out by the Pacific, in Santa Monica, Venice and points north, the old models prowl PCH as well.
What I really liked about this particular video was how young this guy is and that he appreciates the car the way it is and doesn’t want to change anything. Being the owner of a 1972 Fiat 500L I can relate getting all of the attention he gets and being much happier when you arrive to your destination. Good for him.
Sumner,
First off, congratulations on such a beautiful car. It is great to see the next generation show so much interest in an old classic. (Warts and all). New cars are exceptionally reliable and crammed to the gills with amenities. The unfortunate side effect is that a whole generation is approaching driving age without the real joy and appreciation of just simple pure driving enjoyment.
As an aside, one of my coworkers in Philadelphia had a bright red Mini. Nothing brought us more pleasure seeing him exit this little car ( he was at least 6’5″ tall and his car also had a sports exhaust so he could not enter or leave the building unnoticed)
Thanks, Matt! I agree with you on all counts. I have a reliable driver… well, my wife does. It’s fast, quite, reliable, and even has a dual clutch gearbox. The mini provides a totally raw driving experience that I couldn’t live without! The mini fast became my most commonly driven car. It’s the perfect city runabout. Getting groceries shouldn’t be so much fun. Even parking is a blast. No modern car can provide that experience.
I don’t think ol’ Sumner knows everything he’s talking about. As evidenced by the dual fluid reservoir on the left side of the engine bay, his ’70 has a hydrolastic suspension which was standard on all Minis with the 998cc and larger engines and not just ubiquitous to the Cooper and Cooper S.
Are you referring to the silver cylinders on the driver’s/right side? Those are the clutch and brake master cylinders, not hydro reservoirs. The car may have had hydro originally, but it most definitely has rubber cones all around now. the front two are on their last legs, almost collapsed. That’s why it rides a little low in front 😉
Hi Sumner Great video, your a good presenter! Certainly bought back memories of my Mini days, I think a lot of English guys in the 70,s-80,s grew up either Ford or British Leyland (ok a few Vauxhall guys as well!) My Mini days started at 14 when I got a Cooper S built into an 850 shell, never did get round to driving it legally!
Good to see a real enthusiast like yourself. Nice as a standard car but Id go to a 13″ steering wheel, its amazing when you look at the steering column, wires and bits hanging down, but thats how they were built!
Thanks again
Mark
Hey Mark, thank you! I was a bit nervous to have my face out there to be seen by so many, but everyone has been pretty easy on me so far 🙂 Thanks for sharing your mini experience! It’s so cool to hear everyone’s stories. It seems like everyone has some nostalgia filled link to a mini, and it makes for a great community. I’m still debating on that wheel 😉
Lovely example, one of the better 70s colours too. I’m in my early 30s and have owned about nine different minis – always found it interesting that the Australian built cars had better panel fit and finishing than the English cars.
Apart from recommending that you get your hands dirty as much as possible, the only thing I’d suggest is downsizing the wheels to 10 inch. Personal opinion is they look better, but they also tend to handle better and give more road feel. My last car had 12s because I put Honda Civic discs on it – stopped like a modern race car but felt a little “floaty” through the twisty bits.
Regardless, enjoy being a miniac.
Thank you! I noticed that in my searching as well. Even the innocentis seemed to be a step above in some respects.
I have been keeping my hands dirty. Even on the day of the shoot, the mini took a lunch break with myself and a tool box haha. I have been thinking about downsizing the wheels! The 12s look nice imo, but I think they add a touch of modern to the car that takes away from the vintage appeal in my eyes. I would need to pull off the black fenders, though, which I’ve really come to like. We’ll see where the road leads me. Thanks for watching!!
Now slightly off topic, I was talking to my now ex-girlfriend, and we came to a conclusion that America hasn’t got “people’s car” since Model T – and that was before the war! – while all over the world still try to produce one (and I’m not talking retro-mobiles, I’m talking about genuine attempt at creating people’s car – i.e., Golf, Panda, Corolla (or Civic or Micra, or whatever).
I would say that the Ford Fiesta ST is a decent modern American peoples car. It’s cheap, practical, and by many accounts even more fun to drive than its bigger brother Focus ST. I genuinely considered one before I got my Golf TDI, but I liked the TDI’s styling more.
Great video, love the car!
I have to agree with the above statement its really nice to see the younger generation appreciate the older cars as much as we do here on Petrolicious. He could have easily gone for some Honda civic or something mundane like that. I dont think the mods are going to bring this car down since the car still has most of its original shape and design. Last but not least im really enjoying the color as well. As always thanks again for showing off your ride.
Diving a Mini [ or a MINI ] giving one Rock Star status ? Having been there done that and gotten more goram T-shirts than I know what to do with [ the rock star thing ] Maybe not !
But giving its driver the highest SPM [ Smiles Per Mile ] factor available than any other car on the planet [ including my ‘ F ‘ word cars ] … regardless of whether its a Mini or a [ BMW ] MINI ? Oh yeah baby . Been there and done that as well . Guaranteed there is no car I’ve ever owned or driven that can put an ear to ear on my face [ and keep it there for hours despite traffic etc ] quicker than either a Mini … or a MINI .
Fact is .. I do believe the Mini/MINI is the only car ever made that is as much fun to park as it is to drive .. wink wink ..
