MINI collectibles

During todays visit to MINI Peabody to say “Hi” to Randolph and install his auto-up-windows MINI circuit, we were lucky to see a copy of the latest Dealer brochure covering the MINI Convertible. What is more, Randolph acquired a discarded copy for my collection!

The image on the front changes from a closed to an open convertible, depending on angle:

The brochure discusses the new MINI Convertible:
… combines the strong emotional appeal of the unmistakable MINI design and the fun of open top driving … designed to inspire love at first sight … changes made to accommodate the soft top have virtually no effect on the amount of head, shoulder and leg room for back-seat passengers …

There is also a large section comparing the MINI Convertible with the PT Cruiser and new VW Beetle convertibles – interestingly a “+” for both models is genuine four-seater which presumably is an acknowledgement of the cramped rear space of the MINI Convertible …
The brochure definitely makes the car look very tempting 🙂

Today I received (from my favourite eBay seller “CadillacAlex”) a Rover group press release from March 1997 (before Rover & BMW split, with MINI going to BMW).
… unveil a revolutionary new Mini design concept – Spiritual … a full four-seat family car achieved in a package of just 3.1 metres [10 feet, the same as the original Mini and much shorter than the MINI]
… powered by a flat three-cylinder engine mounted under the rear seats and driving the rear wheels … exceptionally compact but can seat four adults in comfort [like the new MINI? ;)] and meets all forthcoming safety and emissions demands.
… Spiritual Too extends the same compact design to a larger five-door car …
[Spiritual] is not the new Mini; it is a free-thinking approach to the long-term challenges of a future generation.

I recently bought (from model-mann on eBay) a New York 2004 press release featuring the debut of the MINI Convertible. As well as standard press release text and a CDR, there is a nice “Encyclopedia of Open Motoring” with suggestions for motoring in the Convertible; the contents include such articles as “The Law Of The Top”, “What If Nature Happens” and “What About Hair”:

There is also a “Convertible Contract”: MINI owner hereby agrees to motoring with the top in down, or open position, at least 90% o an operating period. this time period only applicable while MINI Convertible remains in the legal possession of MINI owner. MINI USA recognizes and hereby agrees 10% of an operating period allows for MINI Convertible top be in the up, or closed position.

Apparently the MINI Convertible will be delivered open, with a seal over the close switch:

It will be interesting to see whether MINI USA actually follows through with this plan … will there be MINI Convertible police to enforce the 90/10 rule? 😉