Saturday, February 19, 2011

Mini !


Even if you're not European you probably know "the Mini", a car that was invented by the British in 1955-57 and got famous throughout the world in the 60's. Well, we still have a few ones in Paris, like this one that I photographed in the 16th arrondissement. I've read that 80% of its length was dedicated to passengers, and only 20% to the engine, which is quite a challenge (and probably was even more at that time)! They (that is BMW, the company that bought the brand in 2000) still make Minis nowadays, but a model that has very little to do with the old one.

14 comments:

  1. I LOVE it!! I WANT it!!!

    This is my object of desire....the new model will do too. Sooooo cute!!

    (Monica from Rio, still not able to log in)

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  2. They are very popular in Los Angeles (the new ones).

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  3. Super cute!

    There was a Greek basket player, 7 feet 1.5 inches tall, who drove a mini: the front seats had been removed and he sat on the back seat of the car to drive it ;-)

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  4. How did you 'spot' this car?

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  5. Very cute with all these colored circles. As you said you took this shot in the 16th, I may recognize the background of the photo. Not far from Boulogne, I'd say.
    Mini but a maxi effect then!

    Flore

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  6. I saw one at the mall a month ago. I drive a small car by american standards, but the mini looked like it could have fitted easily inside the trunk of my car ;)

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  7. The Mini, the car and the skirt,
    both icons of the Swinging Sixties.

    Flore, there was a bigger car produced called the Maxi, but was a 'Dad' car and lacked the cuteness and appeal of the Mini.

    Although not a cheap car like the old one, the new Mini is extremely popular in the UK and is still considered cool and trendy by some. Needless to say, I don't have one. ;)

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  8. LOVE IT!! I desperately want one, but they don't have back doors for passengers, so it is not very practical with 2 children. But I've already told my hubby when the kids are gone---I'm getting me a MINI! Love them!! They are so cute! I could totally see myself in this one in Paris with a scarf around my neck. (Ooh, but driving in Paris? Hmmm...maybe I'll just stick to my neighborhood :)

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  9. The new Mini is increasingly popular in NYC too, where parking is always a challenge. Is this a '64 model? Is the owner 64? Does he live at 64 rue de la Pompe? Does he have 64 reasons to love his cute car? Just curious.

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  10. @Christie - there's actually a new Mini, called the Countryman that has 4 doors! A much better fit for a family.

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  11. Well seen Drummond, lol !! Forty years later the new Mini is really a hit among urban populations.
    I could easily see Eric driving the current Mini with a Mini girl at his right (or at his left) wearing a scarf at her neck maybe Christie ? ;) cool picture Flore

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  12. How adorable! I took one of the BMW Minis for a test drive when considering a new car. It was rather sporty to drive. {No, I didn't buy it ~ but the testing was fun!}

    Alexa, LOL! I hear '64 was a good year...

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