Mini in the Park 2001

Despite forecasts for heavy rain, Minimaster visited the Chipping Norton area of Oxfordshire to attend the Mini in the Park with the Border City Mini Club. In attendance was some friends from Cumbria and a new MINI kindly loaned by Lloyd BMW in Carlisle.

Despite some reservations, the club decided to allow the new MINI onto the club stand, and it was decided to hold a poll on what people thought of it. The results are shown below, which reflect our experience of how people have generally reacted to it.

The show itself was a great success and was well attended. Despite the showery weather in the morning, the range of minis on show was even larger than last year. However the trade stand area was carefully controlled, and despite the wide range available, did not overshadow the main point of the show - for the mini enthusiast.

The concours section was typically full of high-quality vehicles, all polished avidly despite the showers! Of interest to us this year were the other "minis" like the Riley Elf and Wolsey Hornet. This example had been restored three years ago, and looked immaculate with matching light blue interior.

Also grabbing our attention were interesting custom minis. This recently completed flaming orange pickup housed an impressive multimedia entertainment system in the back together with plasma TV screen in the front. The airbrush paintwork is superb, and the electrics looked pretty complicated.

On show was also the flaky purple clubman of Nicki Knight with the nitrous injection system (featured also in September's issue of Mini World). This impressive vehicle has been immaculately prepared with incredible attention to detail. The nitrous injection system has been neatly installed, and is set to give an extra 25% power.

Closer to home was club member Mike Donoghue's silver Mini 25 turbo. This mini 25 has been fitted with a 1275 Metro turbo engine with a Kent 276MD cam, and a very neatly installed turbo. Mike has also added some Wood & Picket arches,which together with the Revolite wheels and Yokohoma tyres, give it a really classy look.

It is modest looking mini on the surface but clearly has been carefully thought out and put together. A smart Mini 25 interior is finished off with a walnut dash and an impressive Kenwood ICE with a 12" sub-woofer in the boot. From an engineering perspective, it has the right bits. A nicely prepared engine, together with brakes and suspension system (Hi Lo's, EBC Green Stuff, braided hoses etc) make it a nicely complete configuration - all done by a Mechanical Engineering student yet to start his final year project, and already stacking up the Student Loans - who needs beer anyway!

New MINI in the Park

It was Paddy Hopkirk's endorsement that caused most interest. Showing off his appropriately numbered Cooper (Y333 EJB), he gave a very positive opinion of the vehicle saying that it was a good 21st Century update to the classic mini.

There was plenty of interest shown at our new MINI Cooper too. John was busy answering many questions about it, particularly his views on how it drove and felt. John likes it. He thinks it is well engineered, well built, drives and handles well and thinks its a good car - however he doesn't think it is a real mini as it is too big!

I also had the privilege of taking it for a short drive. It feels a much bigger and heavier car, and yet despite that, it does have very good handling. I didn't get chance to drive it hard and see if it broke away quickly or gradually. However I didn't think much to the engine. There seemed to be little torque at low revs, and you had to rev it to get anything out of it. From a comfort perspective it was only OK. The seat adjusters are annoying and flimsy (ours in fact broke). The driving position is set well back from the windscreen retaining (I think unnecessarily) the trap door view of the road. The suspension was quite hard and noisy as well and you could feel many of the bumps - not what I expected of a BMW suspension. And those blummin' toggle switches - its hard to know what is on or off. However, despite that, as a complete package, it is quite nice. I look forward to the Cooper-S.

And here are the results of the club poll, which gave the option to vote the car off the stand. Three questions were asked:

1. Do you like the new mini? (yes/no/don't know)
2. Do you think its a real mini? (yes/no/don't know)
3. Should it be here at the club stand? (yes/no/don't know)

Of 81 responses:

So the results are quite interesting. A majority like it, but most think it shouldn't be associated with the classic mini or assume the mini badge! The car remained on the stand during the day as at lunchtime it was pretty much split 50/50 as to whether to remove it. However, its unlikely it will be there next year.

Some interesting comments made include:

• "If the mini had gone through several model style changes (like the Escort etc), this is what it would've looked like"
• "I think it should be called a BMW 2-Series"
• "It should only be here the once, and only one be here"
• "Its very nice, very modern and very individual"