Original Mini Coopers, especially the "S" models, were AWESOME cars on a tight road course. HARD to beat by any standards AND they looked SO COOL. I owned an 850 Mini and it was a sheer blast to drive. It'd spin doughnuts with ease. I scared the heck out of a newer Corvette one day when I took a sharp right hand corner at over 40MPH (he was sitting in the opposite lane waiting to turn left at the light and I know he thought I was going to T-bone his 'Vette, BUT I just zipped around the corner and went merrily on my way. You should have seen the look of "sheer terror" on his face. It was one of those "priceless" moments
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