Choosing the Right Color

Mike Apr 24th, 2005 Link

Great story, thanks!

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Greg Apr 24th, 2005 Link

True colors. Original Mini Coopers were always two-tone from factory; i.e. Red with black roof, Green with white roof, White with black roof. Basic minis were all one color from factory of various shades according to current trends. John Cooper always raced his cars in his Cooper racing colors – BR Green and white roof, with two stripes from nose to windshield (just like his formula one cars). BMC Works rally cars were always red and white – i.e. Austin Healey, from the BMC competition dept. They never had stripes on bonnet. Later on John Cooper adopted the red and white scheme with bonnet stripes. No metallic paints in those days (or radios come to that – Issigonis refused to design a mounting spot in his cars). Silver – luxury!

Cheerz GW.

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2nd Mini Apr 24th, 2005 Link

Yeah. My family owned a red and white Mini back in the sixties. It was really a novelty around the roads where I lived. Guess what color I cose when I got my MINI? Yeah, there’s more than a little emotion tied up in the choice.

Bob

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Allan Apr 24th, 2005 Link

Thanks Rob!

What a great story… and lucky for Sean having such a cool dad. I just have a 2 year old but she’s already minimaniac. From her rear carseat I love to hear her scream “Go FASSST Dady!”

Allan

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Ian Apr 24th, 2005 Link

When choosing the color of a new MINI, I recommend visiting the dealership at the end of the day – the (metallic) colors all change dramatically as the sun sets …

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Allan Apr 24th, 2005 Link

That is a great story. Must have been scary to lose your breaks.

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Allan Apr 24th, 2005 Link

I spelled brakes wrong…incredible..

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Jared/pezboy Apr 24th, 2005 Link

Ian, yeah. Someone at my new job has a MINI and thought mine was black. BRG would still be my choice for a new one though.

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gary Apr 24th, 2005 Link

does anyone have a good scan of the Mini color personality chart which gives a personality description for each color? that’s another great resource for determining color! -cheers!

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Phil Apr 24th, 2005 Link

Good color choice! Though, admittedly, I AM biased. :-)

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JAG Apr 24th, 2005 Link

…and don’t forget that red is faster.

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TooLShack Apr 24th, 2005 Link

When I was 17(now 27) my father gave me his 61 Morris Mini which was bright yellow. I drove it a few years until I joined the Navy. I sold the car to someone in the car club, so I knew it was going to be taken car of right. A year ago I bought my 2004 MCS, and just a few weeks ago my Dad has his 2005 MCS delivered. So what color did we get? Well check out this pic of our Minis at a local car show.

http://members.cox.net/toolshack/miniolives.jpg

Mine is on the right, his on the left.

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Melanie Apr 24th, 2005 Link

Having learned to drive in a 1968 TR250 that was a wonderful British Racing Green color (with the white rally stripe across the bonnet), I came VERY close to getting that again in my 05 MCSc, because 1) the nostalgia and fond memories of my little Brit car, and 2) it’s a great color. I have had a series of silver cars all my life, from a Honda Accord up through my present AudiA4Q. Nice, but … I wanted something that would truly bespeak a British heritage and was also retro-looking – but I also wanted the bells and whistles, and wanted a Cabrio! I remembered all the chrome bits in my TR (even the cylinder cover was chromed!), so finally decided on the Chili Red with black top, with white bonnet stripes and chrome in and out. And I got a black rally sticker “737 ABL” for the bonnet above the scoop, in honor of Pat Moss – great driver who ran a red/black Mini to it’s first ever outright rally victory in 1962 (tho’ without stripes and not a cab!) To each their own – thank God MINI lets us all have so many choices and combinations. Life is good!

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Melanie Apr 24th, 2005 Link

Here’s a link to a photo of my beloved:

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/picture59858.html

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Frank Apr 24th, 2005 Link

Mine: ‘05 MCS CR/W, UJ roof flag, chrome exterior pack.

Hers: ‘02 MC CVT PW/B.

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lawrence::otoole Apr 25th, 2005 Link

Great article Rob!

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Vanwall Apr 25th, 2005 Link

Thanks for input, motorers – Strangely enough, I went with BRG & W this MINI-time round, the only color I never had before. I wanted Silk Green, which was close to that rare turquoise from the Classic Mini Coopers, but I bought a non-spec car, and I actually liked the way it became almost black late in the day.

My other son, Brian has dibs on the all Dark Blue 998 Cooper that I used to drive him to school in. (They’re already divying up my garage!)

Melanie – great car to learn on – my favorite Triumph. Plenty of grunt, and it still looked like a TR4, a pretty car, IMHO. Drove a borrowed sky blue one for a while when my pal was away, and have nothing but pleasant memories of her. I wouldn’t mind one now, but they bring a premium. Nice touch with the Pat Moss license – it’s nice to know someone remembers what a bright star she was back in the real road-car rallying days – don’t forget with Ann Wisdom, they won the Liege-Sofia-Liege rally in a Big Healey! That girl could motor!

      BCNU,
     Rob in Dago

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Nate Apr 26th, 2005 Link

I wanted a Dark Silver S when I purchased mine, but they had a Pure Silver with my exact specs on the lot…

I just couldn’t wait for an ‘05 to be built, so I have my Pure Silver ‘04. Sometimes I get wistful when I see a Dark Silver, but I’ve become so attached to mine it hardly matters.

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minimiffy May 5th, 2005 Link

TooLShack, I’ve viewed your pix. You and your father have great taste. It’d be even better if you can locate the 61 Morris and take a picture with all 3 together!

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lucyred Sep 5th, 2005 Link

Hi- I am in the process of buying a 2006 mini cooper, and can’t decide on the color. It is between the new solor red, or the new space blue. Does anyone know what color is more popular in the mini coopers, red or blue? thanks

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