All Downhill from Here
A little after four in the afternoon on a hot summer's afternoon, and I am in a situation I've never been in before. I am at the
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| Although it has been three years since its debut, the MINI is still able to grab plenty of attention. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
wheel of a vehicle that's not mine, fiddling with the stereo and controls, trying to get over my giddiness and excitement. That, and the fact that it's mine for the next week. Five years in practice, writing previews about up and coming cars and I'm finally doing the real thing. What's better yet is that it's a car that's at the top of the automotive critic's list, the MINI Cooper, but in
Classic trim. This is the first car that I've ever road-tested for an extended period of time, and what a vehicle to start out with - I just might be spoiled for the rest of my journalist career. Even after its introduction three years ago, the MINI still grabs attention like no other vehicle on the road. It's small, cute and a star thanks to the recent blockbuster remake of "The Italian Job." Speaking of which, my test car's Chili Red paint, with white roof, mirror caps and optional hood stripes makes a
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| No matter how dull the sky or miserable the weather, the MINI brightened my day. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
reasonably good facsimile of Charlie Crocker's leading car used in the flick. Never have I been in a car that gathered so much attention: within the first six hours, four people had already given me kudos on the road, and it had already picked up a new nickname amongst my friends, Sparky. The constant smiles from passersby were a reflection of my own delight at looking at this car. No matter how dull the sky, or miserable the weather, the MINI brightened my day. In any sense, all the commentary makes me wonder what kind of action a go-faster
Cooper S, with its hood scoop and checkered-flag roof pattern, or better yet the up and coming Cabrio will attract at stoplights. However good the MINI is to look at, the only person I don't think would approve is Sir Alex Issigonis: he was about moving forward rather than dwelling upon the past.
