MiniCooper:Less Is More

Marc Bolan died in one. (R.I.P., September 16, 1977.)

Mary Quant named her most famous creation after it.

Michael Caine used it as a getaway car to tote booty in The Italian Job (it handled off-road driving - stairs, rooftops, sewers - exceptionally well!).

It's the Mini Cooper, born August 26, 1959 to proud pappy Sir Alec Issigonis. And in today's Supersize Me world of Big Gulp excess, it's engaged in an aesthetic battle against its polar opposite, The Hummer. It's an automotive David Vs. Goliath (in fact, it was originally nicknamed "The Giant Killer"), a (British Invasion) Alien Vs. (Gas-Guzzlin') Predator. Like Audrey Hepburn Vs. Pam Anderson, it's a matter of Class vs. Crass.

In addition to all the faceless bandwagon-jumping Yuppies in my neighborhood who own Mini's, here's a short A-List of celebrity Mini owners, past and present. (Alas, all those mindless people who think celebrities set trends will now want a Mini just because the stars have them, but what can you do? Don't hold it against the stylish Mini. I just report the facts, people!). Here 'tis:

• Brigitte Bardot
  
• The Beatles (who had one each)
  
• Marc Bolan
  
• Clint Eastwood
  
• Britt Ekland
  
• Dame Margot Fonteyn
  
• Goldie Hawn
  
• Madonna
  
• Steve McQueen
  
• Paul Newman
  
• Dudley Moore
  
• Mary Quant
  
• Cliff Richard
  
• Peter Sellers
  
• Lord Snowdon
  
• Prince
  
• Prince Michael of Kent
  
• Princess Alexandra
  
• Twiggy
  
• Elijah Woods
  
  Video Clip of Mini's History