Comments on: The Rise of The White Roof

By: Nigel

Nigel — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:32:16 +0000

If you live in the “sunbelt” getting a MINI with a white roof is a very good idea. If you want to keep a cool cabin, avoid the sunroof and add tints all around…it really helps the A/C in those extra hot days…

By: Vanwall

Vanwall — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:01:48 +0000

Growing up in Arizona, I learned to appreciate how cool a white roof could be, believe me. Strangely enough, the vast majority of Mk1 Minis I ran across had been red with the black top originally – must’ve been the factory’s export choice. Considering on a hot day you could cook an egg on a black car there, white is my choice, if nothing else so you could rest your arms on the roof without screaming.

By: Aussom

Aussom — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 23:57:23 +0000

Whatever happened to Vinyl roof skins? A possibility for future MINIs?

By: chakaluka

chakaluka — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:52:46 +0000

My 74 FJ-40 (real Land Cruiser) had a white roof. it was a fiberglass part molded with white Gelcoat. All FJ-40s got the same piece - no repainting. Functional both in terms of weight and production efficiency. Not so with the white roofs on the new FJ or MINI.

By: Greg W

Greg W — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:00:12 +0000

The first Classic Mini Coopers had white and black roofs as a contrasting colour, i.e. red car/black roof, white car/black roof, green car/white roof, grey car/white roof. The white colour was “Old English white”. This had nothing to do with spotting a car on the track. John Cooper used his GP Formula One Cooper car colours for his Mini Cooper team – British racing green with two stripes from radiator grille to windscreen. The cars had a white roof. The BMC Works cars as used in Monte Carlo Rallies were traditional red car with white roof (also used for Austin Healey works cars, and other models).

By: dr

dr — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:35:46 +0000

if they painted prius roofs white I would paint my white roof black!

By: Dave Mac Mini

Dave Mac Mini — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:21:57 +0000

Mark and joey

Indeed, the car is a Citroen DS, a wonderful machine that was far ahead of its time, as it was introduced in 1955 and produced for 20 years or so. I have owned several of them over the years, and they were fun cars to own. Much like the MINI, they always attracted a lot of attention.

By: MQuin

MQuin — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:59:44 +0000

a white roof looks real girly to me….black or silver!

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:53:31 +0000

Joey: I the car in the second post is an early ’70s Citreon DS, I think.

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:33:57 +0000

In 1965 my dad bought a beautiful Ford, LTD with a white, metallic turquoise body and matching turquoise interior. When we visited the Gateway arch in St. Louis Mo., we could see our car in the parking area because it was one of a handful of white roofed autos. I day IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll never forget.

By: justinm

justinm — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:08:36 +0000

or move farther north

Oh, now that was a hemispherist comment. Apologies to those in SA, Australia, etc. :-)

By: joey drama

joey drama — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:07:29 +0000

kinda surprised that no one included in their articles about how the mini originally had a white roof so race spectators could easily pick it out at a race. Question: what is that first car shown in the second article? i always wonder what it is when i see it in scarface.

By: justinm

justinm — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:04:53 +0000

Imurtrbolvr, it will be those with dark black window tinting that will the cause of the earth's destruction. I just know that some of them drive around saying to themselves, "I sure am glad I got this tinting, I can't imagine how hot it would be in here without it."

Anyway, just enjoy your dark roof in the winter, or move farther north.

By: Imurtrbolvr

Imurtrbolvr — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:38:00 +0000

I guess it sucks for us “Black-Roof Mini-owners” :( noooo… we wont be saving energy and eventually we’ll become the sole cause of earth’s destruction.

By: jarrett

jarrett — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:12:33 +0000

I agree, white roofs are a necessity down south, every time i drive though dallas, i cringe when i see a black roof as i know the car temperature is quite warm inside.

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:11:38 +0000

Yes! Silver roof is certainly the coolest!!!

By: gz

gz — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:55:41 +0000

I have a white roof on my new FJ Cruiser. Looks great, however, I still like a black roof on Minis. The white roof seems too “cute”.

By: gmini

gmini — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:29:46 +0000

and a silver roof is coolest. ;)

By: Jack07734

Jack07734 — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:59:44 +0000

A white roof may be cool but no roof is cooler.

Cheers, Jack (Motoring Topless)