CHILDHOOD DREAM. JOHN BECKER AND HIS LOVE OF MINI.

American John Becker wanted to be a racing driver, a quest that led him to discover the Mini Cooper. It was the 1970s and racing was an expensive pursuit. To finance his dream, John opened a specialist Mini workshop and over the years became a classic Mini expert. His love for the pocket dynamo has never waned. » read more

MINI OVERSEAS. JIM PREDMORE.

Jim Predmore had to wait a long time to buy his Mini Cooper S from a friend – an incredible 35 years, in fact. During the subsequent restoration project, he came face-to-face with his personal limits. It took years to get the small, one-time racing car back up and running. So it’s no surprise that Jim now likes to drive the Mini at every opportunity. » read more

FOR THE LOVE OF CORNERS. THE MINI ALPENFAHRT RALLY.

The Mini Club München 1980 e.V. recently fired the starting gun on the 30th edition of its annual Alpenfahrt rally. 49 teams crossed out four days on their calendars for a club rally already worthy of the tag “legendary”. The route once again took the cars over beguiling Alpine roads and incorporated a series of challenges and special stages designed to keep all the senses suitably alert. Comfortable and cosy hotels recharged batteries en route. » read more

HALF-TIMBERED HERITAGE.

Small, practical and undeniably British, the estate version of the Mini bore its wooden veneer with a pride rooted in noble tradition. Not even the latest coachbuilding techniques of the day could compete. With a rustic charm reminiscent of a half-timbered house, it’s no wonder the Countryman and Traveller continue to delight owners to this day. » read more

SIX DAYS, FIVE COUNTRIES, ELEVEN CLUBS. MUNICH TO IRELAND IN A MINI.

Six days, five countries, eleven clubs – and one destination: the International Mini Meeting in Westport, Ireland. Our carriage for the occasion was a Mini with a difference (or two). Built in 2000 and shrink-wrapped in matt white to resemble a clean sheet of paper, our Mini provided the canvas for artist Steve Simpson’s diary of the journey – an experience decorated with distinctive images and warm encounters. Indeed, bringing people together remains a speciality of this classless car. » read more

REPEAT OFFENDERS.

The Monte Carlo Rally is the most famous event of its kind, one that brings together the world’s elite rally drivers for a serious test of mettle. Fifty years ago, Finland’s Rauno Aaltonen took the honours here in a BMC Mini Cooper S. And the combination was back in tandem again in 2017 to compete in the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. As we found out, age has done little to slow either of them down. » read more

THE MINI THAT COULD SHIFT WITHOUT SHIFTING.

The classic Mini was an excellent urban car from the moment it set foot on our roads. Small, impressively agile and a hoot to zip about in, it was also easy to park once you’d had your fill of driving fun. But it wasn’t until 1965 that a refined automatic gearbox option added the icing on the cake for city dwellers. » read more

MINI FORTE!

It was the pocket dynamo with a surprise or two up its sleeve. Once upon a time, the classic Mini won the Monte Carlo Rally. Well not just once actually, but several times. At one of the more keenly attended driver safety training events on the calendar, Monte winner Rauno Aaltonen showed a current crop of enthusiasts how to drive a Mini like you mean it. BMW took the unusual step of opening up its proving grounds in Aschheim near Munich for the occasion. » read more

THINK BIG, GO FAR.

The International Mini Meetings have been held since 1978. This year the great gathering of the small cars was for the first time held in Lithuania. Why there? – Why not? That, presumably, was the thinking of co-organiser Inga Narauskaite, who found her great love – the Mini – through a happy coincidence. » read more