Mini Turns 50 with Coupe Concept and 5 Classic Mini Moments
2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Mini – a miniature car with a whole lotta might! Now owned by BMW, The Mini Cooper has become one of the most recognizable vehicles sold globally. To usher in this second-half of a century, Mini introduced their 2009 Mini Coupe Concept. Unofficially announced for a 2011 production release, and kept under tight security before the Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe features, two doors, two seats, a turbo 4-cyl…and classic Mini styling. Specifically, the Coupe is powered by the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder from the John Cooper Works edition – rated at 211 horsepower and 192 pounds-feet of torque.
This got us thinking about some of the classic Mini Cooper (or just Mini) moments on Film & Screen. Remember Chips? John, the guy who wasn’t Erik Estrada, drove around in a Mini when not on his Harley. But that isn’t the only time Mini showed up in video form, check it out:
The (Original) Italian Job
This 1969 British film, starring Michael Caine (before he took the job as Batman’s butler) features a classic three-Mini chase scene, later to be repeated in an arguably unnecessary Hollywood remake.
The Italian Job – Remake with Markie Mark & John Stamos’ Ex
Yes, the guy who played Sgt. Dignan in The Departed and Rebecca Romijn starring in this 2003 remake, showing off the next generation (BMW made) Mini Coopers in another great chase scene.
MacGyver & a Mini
Is that what makes the Mini so great? Is it because MacGyver constructs them using only tape, gum and a Swiss Army Knife? The special effects are more like short-bus special in this clip from the 80′s TV series.
The Mini Mexican Police Car
I knew the economy of Mexico was pretty lousy, isn’t 1 Million Pecos worth $7.50 USD? But using Mini’s a police cruisers?! Maybe we should be bailing them out…
MINI Vs. the RC Car
Those cheeky fellows at Fifth Gear decided to take one of the smallest ride on the road, a Mini Cooper GP, and race it with a rather large Remote Control Car.
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