The humble Mini is something of an icon - though it is a quintessentially British vehicle, it has truly achieved worldwide status with numerous celebrities from around the world proudly driving one. Though they’re not the most luxurious of cars, they still enjoy a large and almost fanatical user base.

But just what is it that keeps the Mini in fashion? Perhaps it’s the unique design - first built in the 1960’s and keeping largely the same body shape since then, they offer a unique taste of the 60’s with which Britain has always been enamoured. From the music to the clothing, the 60’s still resonate through British culture and this iconic vehicle continues to be a common site on our roads.

Perhaps it’s the compact design, enabling the car to comfortably drive down even the most cramped of city streets. Where the currently fashionable sports utility vehicles often struggle to pass through many roads where there are cars parked on both sides, this car will quite happily cut through with space to spare on either side. The compact frame also makes them very manoeuvrable cars, with quick acceleration and excellent cornering. Nowhere has this manoeuvrability been better demonstrated than in the chase scenes from the Italian Job film and its 2003 remake where the lead characters outwitted enemies in faster cars by being able to drive through locations such as sewers and down stairs.

It has also found itself featuring in a number of other films, from the comedic Austin Powers series through to the action packed first instalment in the Bourne trilogy, the Bourne Identity. Clearly a very photogenic vehicle, it has found itself being used in pictures for numerous fashion campaigns as well, shooting with famous models throughout its history from Twiggy to Kate Moss.

Though entrenched in British culture, the Mini has also found itself gaining a large following in Europe where its compact size is useful for driving down the busy streets, and also in America where it has found a home amongst Anglophiles and drivers looking for a comfortable, compact vehicle which stands out from the pack.

Where some vehicles seem to enjoy a boom because of current trends or celebrity endorsements - the current fascination with Hummers for example, due to rappers driving them - the Mini is a vehicle which avoids trends by permanently staying in fashion. It’s never gone away and it’s almost certain that it never will.

Thomas Pretty is a car journalist with many years of experience driving Minis. Find out more about the Mini at http://www.coopermini.co.uk/

[tags]Mini[/tags]