It was reminiscent of a ’60’s love fest. A fortnight or so ago, more than 25,000 Mini lovers and their 10,000+ Mini cars assembled at the famed Silverstone F1 Raceway, just a short drive from London to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the quirky little car, aptly named Mini United.
This is an anniversary year for several other renown British institutions – Wedgewood’s famous blue object d’art, Darwin’s two hundredth birthday, the sinking of Radio Caroline, mini skirts and the whole Carnaby Street sixties phenomenon.
To prepare a small group of journalists for the Mini event, the British Tourist Association planned a special itinerary that revisited several venues on a cross-the-UK-odyssey in Mini’s all with right hand drive on motorways (expressways) and lovely country lanes with bordering hedgerows.
The sights included Carnaby Street, Camden, the Heritage Motor Museum, the oldest movie house in the UK, a Birmingham shop specializing in artwork for album covers, Darwin’s hometown and then to Silverstone. Two days of rather intense driving, sight seeing and historical backgrounders.
Would have been nice to visit the gents from Top Gear but that didn’t happen. One of best episodes of the series is the one in which a Mini was rocket assisted to launch itself off an Olympic ski lift? Quirky is as quirky does.
For years we’ve been told Mini owners are deeply devoted to their cars, which frankly I thought was more ad-hype and/or pr-spin than fact. Well, I must admit I was wrong, really wrong. Unlike any auto group I’ve ever heard about, this group of owners has a real obsession for Mini cars and anything Mini.
In the nicest sense of the word, it’s a cult. But they don’t drink the Kool-Aid or wear black Nike’s. They love their Mini’s almost obsessively and spend millions of dollars, euros, yen, pounds, pesos and drachmas on any and everything emblazoned, embroidered or enhanced with the Mini name and logo.
Two new Minis were introduced to the adoring fans.
And naturally two new Mini models were introduced to the adoring fans to join the convertible and clubman, recent additions to the line-up. The May Fair (we stayed at the May Fair in London) and the Camden (we visited this combo of a tourist boardwalk and flea market). How’s that for a coincidental or serendipitous happening?
Naturally new paint colors have been added to the Mini lore for the highly personalized vehicle. One of the more interesting sights at the event was the huge number of custom painted and decorated Minis. It is personalization of Mini’s in a maxi way with roof-top artistic designs and symbols (some bawdy) while others have incredibly creative paint jobs like this Mini which drove from Russia for the event.
There were sights, sounds and stalls catering to the thousands of Mini lovers. A huge concert stage, food from bangers ‘n mash to sushi, Internet café, loops in a racecar Mini, Mini racing events, displays of famous and special Mini’s of show biz celebrities, jocks and fashionistas, people pulling Mini’s and special tributes to Mini from the British Royal Mail and the Royal British Mint were available on site.
In recognition 50th anniversary, the British Royal Mint has struck extremely limited 2009 Mini 50th Anniversary Proof Coins in gold and silver and in denominations of either £1, £5 or £10. (insert graphics of coins)
Simultaneously the British Royal Mail has produced special first day covers, individual postage stamps, postal cards, and full sheets of stamps honoring the Mini.
I must correct myself, this was not love fest, it was a love festival. Visitors from 30 nations brought together to celebrate an historical British automobile that has become more popular than ever under BMW’s ownership and management. And done so with out missing a beat.
Mini rules.