306 replies to this topic

[dave585]

etc etc. Also mini only became classic when the new one was lunched in 2001.

Balearics.

The mini's been a classic since it was the first production car with
a transverse engine, since it won the Monte Carlo rally three times and since
it starred in the Italian Job.

Among others.



Nial.

But that doesnt make it a classic does it? when it came off the production line it was revolutionary for its design but did not make it an out right classic!
So as no one can answer a question i ask on here with a proper answer i will ask again when does a car become a classic? 20/30/15 years and what makes it a classic? your all ready to jump down my thoat about it so please tell me.

[E.L.M.O]

Define what classic is to me please. As far as i know a classic car is classed as anything over 25 years old and in its orginal state. Not with motorbike engines etc etc. Also mini only became classic when the new one was lunched in 2001. It was given this to separate the two has you could still buy them. ford did this with the fiesta when the model was relunched.

Sorry, but just being blatantly pedantic wont help your case one bit.
The worrying thing is it seems like you actually think you have a point. Its pretty obvious, I was trying to be diplomatic in my reply, but if you need it spelling out on the most basic form then:

Classic mini = Classic

BMW MINI = NOT A CLASSIC!

Classic shows for the classic minis, namely beaulieu, himley hall, gaydon, standford hall and malvern, goodwood revival
MITP, SMD, L2B i think could be shared events
And im sure there are plenty of MINI shows i do not know of, which can be souly for new mini's

I think they should have their own shows period. L2B Is busy enough without having to cram it full with non Classics. If they want to do L2B, then why not run there own? I dont mean to be mean but it is a simple solution in my book. Have you own shows, then there is no one to argue with about this!

Edited by E.L.M.O, 14 September 2010 - 04:02 PM.

[dave585]

Define what classic is to me please. As far as i know a classic car is classed as anything over 25 years old and in its orginal state. Not with motorbike engines etc etc. Also mini only became classic when the new one was lunched in 2001. It was given this to separate the two has you could still buy them. ford did this with the fiesta when the model was relunched.

Sorry, but just being blatantly pedantic wont help your case one bit.
The worrying thing is it seems like you actually think you have a point. Its pretty obvious, I was trying to be diplomatic in my reply, but if you need it spelling out on the most basic form then:

Classic mini = Classic

BMW MINI = NOT A CLASSIC!

Its funny isnt it i have never said or will do the MINI is a classic its got many many many years before it does. You and every one else has. Plus you havent answered my question which is "define what is a classic or makes a car a classic"? just saying what classic mini =classic just does not cut it. Now im not being Pedantic about anything i would like somebody to tell me.
As for our own shows we do but then i read on forums that we dont invite minis! and theres lots of slagging off! cant have it both ways.

Edited by dave585, 14 September 2010 - 04:14 PM.

[mini93]

this threads still going, almost as if people cant find ANYTHING to do on the internet nowerdays

[cagy]

It just seems like clutching at straws and being pedantic and picky!! The BINI will never be a mini end of story. There is no reason why there can't be joint events but they should still be kept apart and the mini's should keep their own classic events BINI free.

[Burnard]

The origional mini was always a future classic due to its revolutionary design, provided that it was popular, which it was.

It became a classic once others started copying it, and even then it was still better (competition wise) for quite a few years.
The fact that it was used by many famous drivers, in many many different race series. it was jsut such a versatile car.

Saying that, the porsche 928 is a classic because it was a complete flop


A classic is a classic because of the impact it had

Edited by Burnard, 14 September 2010 - 04:45 PM.

[dave585]

The origional mini was always a future classic due to its revolutionary design, provided that it was popular, which it was.

It became a classic once others started copying it, and even then it was still better (competition wise) for quite a few years.
The fact that it was used by many famous drivers, in many many different race series. it was jsut such a versatile car.

Saying that, the porsche 928 is a classic because it was a complete flop


A classic is a classic because of the impact it had

Thank you:)

[Redbaron6969uk]

I am getting far too wound up...........I guess we will have to agree to disagree........I get far too personal when I am wound up.

So I appologise for that .

I do however drive past Longbridge every day and it still upsets me to see it flattened.

I am not just a mini man I am an Austin Rover man,

I currently own:

the 1979 1275 GT and 2 MK1 MG Metro turbo's.

I have owned and restored:

1970 mini with a 1300GT engine and drums all round lol,

1978 MGB GT

1976 Triumph spitfire

1981 850 mini van

1986 mini Mayfair

1986 MG metro turbo

and have owned loads more minis and metros than i can mention.

So you will have to forgive me if a can't bring myself to love BMW.



Surely it make anyone who appreciates cars smile when they see even the ugly cars like princesses and marinas and allegros in mint condition. or is it just me lol

A nice collection of cars you have Redbaron6969uk and have owned, I too have a soft spot for the 'ugly' cars and much as I did not like the Marina and all it represented as wrong with the British Leyland at the time, they are part of our motoring history and we should be grateful someone loves them enough to save a few. I hate seeing Top Gear destroy perfectly good examples just for entertainment....

I sincerely apologise if I wound you up that is never my intention, just to add some balance to the discussion maybe, I have seen a few factories I have worked in raised to the ground so know a little of how you feel about Longbridge. I went on several factory visits to the classic Mini production line there in the 1980's and 90's so was sad to see it now at the Longbridge IMM last year. I just don't agree it was entirely BMW's fault and BL, BAe and Rover were blameless as some seem to think, there were many factors involved.

I don't want anyone to love BMW, just to perhaps accept a new generation (& some oldies) love their MINI's and they should be encouraged to join us as a friendly community and learn about its classic Mini heritage not have their interest in it spoiled because of past mistakes made by company bosses and politicians, and not through any fault of the MINI owners themselves .

No need to appologise......I wind myself up.......I too wish the British government / managment had sorted it when they had the chance..........soooo sad really....... ....I just have to keep saving as many as I can lol.....If it is any consolation I have the same sort of arguments with the metro forums about mini owners......I have to keep defending mini owners who scrap perfectly good metros which could be saved to put the lumps in the minis...........passion is no bad thing really. I have 2 of only 34 MK 1 Mg metros remaining......all the others were scrapped for the engines.

I love both minis and metros but metro owners tend not to understand my split loyalty....so if I am totally honest I do appreciate how you feel but I am a stuborn arse....lol

I have a certain evil dream of scrapping a MINI to put the engine in a mini lol.

[Redbaron6969uk]

Define what classic is to me please. As far as i know a classic car is classed as anything over 25 years old and in its orginal state. Not with motorbike engines etc etc. Also mini only became classic when the new one was lunched in 2001. It was given this to separate the two has you could still buy them. ford did this with the fiesta when the model was relunched.

Sorry, but just being blatantly pedantic wont help your case one bit.
The worrying thing is it seems like you actually think you have a point. Its pretty obvious, I was trying to be diplomatic in my reply, but if you need it spelling out on the most basic form then:

Classic mini = Classic

BMW MINI = NOT A CLASSIC!

Its funny isnt it i have never said or will do the MINI is a classic its got many many many years before it does. You and every one else has. Plus you havent answered my question which is "define what is a classic or makes a car a classic"? just saying what classic mini =classic just does not cut it. Now im not being Pedantic about anything i would like somebody to tell me.
As for our own shows we do but then i read on forums that we dont invite minis! and theres lots of slagging off! cant have it both ways.

Time for an honest / sensible answer.........only time will tell.......when the time comes that MINI's start going to the scrap yard because of rust and repairs,will people love them enough or be able to afford to save them............maybe, maybe not........i recon another 10 years will give us the answer.

Edited by Redbaron6969uk, 14 September 2010 - 05:59 PM.

[MiniMan65]

Bit late into this one but I've never really understood why people consistently try to force Classics and BMW's together, a fair amount of us (including me) don't want to, so why on earth try and make us?

The BMW's are popular enough now to create their own scene so why do they need to piggyback on the classic scene?

[EatSleepJDM]

I agree with the man above me! ^

I remember walking into Himley Hall mini show a year or so back. And I overheard someone walking in saying;

"Shall we go and see the old minis?"

"Nah what's the point, there's too many of them"


Now forgive me thinking this is a pretty poor view considering the Bini's are relatively new to our classic mini shows?

This whole thread is pointless in my opinion, it's not going to go anywhere.

Someone just doesn't know when to stop, and leave the issue as it is, and stop trying to force us together, and to be honest, asking questions that you KNOW are going to get some pretty fruity answers from classic mini fans (such as myself). And then complaining about us being ready to "jump down your throat"

[cagy]

Like i said in an earlier post it's like the lamb going to the wolfs den and saying can't we all be friends it just won't happen.

[E.L.M.O]

just saying what classic mini =classic just does not cut it. Now im not being Pedantic about anything i would like somebody to tell me.

Doesnt cut it with who? you?

As for our own shows we do but then i read on forums that we dont invite minis! and theres lots of slagging off! cant have it both ways.

Thats because you have your own shows and still crash ours! Its you that wants both not us! We appratnly HAVE to invite BMW to our shows, but Classic owners are allowed to go to the BINI only shows. So who is it thats having it both ways? Certainly isnt classic owners.

Im done with this thread. thanks all

Edited by E.L.M.O, 14 September 2010 - 06:10 PM.

[dave585]

I agree with the man above me! ^

I remember walking into Himley Hall mini show a year or so back. And I overheard someone walking in saying;

"Shall we go and see the old minis?"

"Nah what's the point, there's too many of them"


Now forgive me thinking this is a pretty poor view considering the Bini's are relatively new to our classic mini shows?

This whole thread is pointless in my opinion, it's not going to go anywhere.

Someone just doesn't know when to stop, and leave the issue as it is, and stop trying to force us together, and to be honest, asking questions that you KNOW are going to get some pretty fruity answers from classic mini fans (such as myself). And then complaining about us being ready to "jump down your throat"

For a start I am not trying to force anyone together in fact it is an invite to people who want to join the group and as it's growing every day we must be doing something good. I would never ask anyone to join who doesn't want to. I also don't think that this thread is pointless if you look at the amount of comments posted and how many have read it.
I have also read and took on board the comments of mini owners and have welcomed there replies.
Many a question I have posted on here are genuin questions to clear up stuff as my ideas may be different to others but instead of getting answer I get jumped upon with other comments.

[the.stroker]

Unfortunatly it is not popular for the reasons you believe it to be , It is popular due to the fact the mear mention of the word BMW within this forum will provoke many arguments , and lets face it,people love a good fight.