Tuesday May 26, 2009
Minis make owners proud
By PERCY D’CRUZ
MALACCA: The sight of the adorable Austin Mini Cooper can carve a smile on any person’s face.
It is truly a car that is much loved by many including celebrities of the 60s like Peter Sellers, Sir Cliff Richard and members of The Beatles.
Recently, some 83 Mini owners from Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Sungai Petani and Malacca converged at Seong Yeong Motor Sdn Bhd’s car lot in Pringgit Jaya for the Second Mini Lovers Gathering.
The occasion also commemorated the Mini’s 50th anniversary. The world’s first Mini rolled out of the British Motor Corporation factory in England on August 26, 1959.
Today, the Mini is described as an icon destined to become one of the greatest legends of the international motor industry.
The enthusiasts also had the chance to appreciate one of the oldest Minis in the country.
Belonging to Dr Khazin Mohd Tamrin of Petaling Jaya, the 1967 Austin Cooper S was in mint condition and ran soundly.
Cherished cars: Mini Coopers on display near the Eye on Malacca after a convoy drive recently. This vintage was the pride of the gathering.
Organiser Tristan Ng said he did not expect such a overwhelming response from the car owners.
“Compared to last year, when we had over 40 cars, this year was truly overwhelming,” he said.
Many spent hours showing off their cars and sharing ideas on buying original spare parts and troubleshooting faults.
Ideas on refurbishing old models were also discussed.
“Mostly, we exchanged notes relating to our cars,” he added.
Tristan said that efforts were underway to register the group to generate an interest in Mini cars in the younger generation.
He said the group would organise Family Day outings, exhibitions and convoy rides from time to time.
He also hoped to rope in enthusiasts from Thailand and Singapore.
“The beauty of vintage Minis is that ardent enthusiasts and the uninitiated can share ideas on models of yesteryears.
“Younger enthusiasts can learn much from those passionate about their Minis,” he said.
The Mini made its presence felt in Malaysia in the early sixties when the models cost between RM4,000 and RM5,000. These early models included the Austin Mini Seven and Morris Mini Minor.
The subsequent models were the Riley Elf, Wolsley Hovac, Mini Cooper S and the famed Mini Clubman 1275GT featured in the 1969 movie The Italian Job.
Tristan noted that a Mini in mint condition or partially or fully refurbished could fetch up to RM15,000.
He said the latest 5-model series launched here in 2001 were the Mini One, Mini Cooper, Mini Cooper (S), Mini Cooper Clubman and Mini Cooper (S) Clubman priced between RM175,290 and RM259,290.
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