Mighty Minis
Baby, you can drive my car. But then the original Mini was more than just a car; it was a pop culture phenomenon. Back in the 1960s, it joined Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and Jaguars in the garages of the rich and famous, including Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Now, with Ringo’s custom Radford Mini enjoying a full restoration, we enjoy some archive photos of this brilliant British icon.
Hatch of the day
Ringo’s unique Radford Mini was given to him by Beatles manager Brian Epstein in 1966. Its standout features are a hatchback boot and folding rear seat, designed so the three-metre-long car could carry a full drum kit. Now owned by ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, the Mini has been restored by Acespeed of Yorkshire, including a set of 10-inch Cosmic alloys and retro-look Falken Sincera tyres.
Monte Carlo Mini
Ringo Starr is pictured here in 1964 with one of the Monte Carlo Rally Minis. The car won this gruelling event that same year, then repeated the feat in 1965 and 1966. Is he sneakily trying to open the door?
McCartney and a Mini
Paul McCartney was also a Mini owner. We believe this photo was taken in London’s Abbey Road – home to the famous recording studio. ‘Abbey Road’ is also the name of the Beatles’ 11th studio album.
More Radford retro
Swedish actress Britt Ekland drove a Mini: bought as a birthday present by her comedian husband, Peter Sellers. After collecting it from Harold Radford and Co. in Hammersmith – the same coachbuilder that modified the Beatles’ cars – the couple look understandably pleased.
A royal endorsement
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon were both Mini fans. Here they are leaving Great Ormond Street Hospital in London with their son in 1965.
Prime mate
Not to be outdone by the Beatles, the Monkees were Mini fans, too. Here’s guitarist and singer Mike Nesmith enjoying a jaunt with girlfriend Phyllis in a soft-top Mini in 1967.
Getting Twiggy with it
Model and style icon Twiggy is very much associated with the Mini. Here she smiles as she prepares to drive away in 1968. She passed her driving test in this Mini, too.
Posing up a storm
On the left, like James Bond leaning on his Aston Martin DB5, here is American actor Warren Beatty with his red Mini Minor. It’s a promo portrait for the film ‘Kaleidoscope’. On the right are The Beach Boys, posing with a Mini Moke.
George Harrison and John Lennon
Yet more Beatles Mini-mania. George Harrison’s psychedelic Radford Mini de Ville is the stuff of legend. It’s fun to see it at work with John Lennon riding shotgun in 1967, as the band works on ‘Magical Mystery Tour’.
Muscle and Moke
On the left, a dramatic shot of American actress Lindsay Wagner using her strength to ‘lift’ a Mini. Wagner was promoting the television series, ‘The Bionic Woman’. On the right, French actress Brigitte Bardot takes her dogs for a ride in a Mini Moke in 1980.
Designer transport
Here is Mary Quant in her special edition Mini Designer in 1988. That was 33 years ago, but the Mini was already 29 years old.
Minis in Paris
The year is 1994 and the singer posing with this Mini is Nina Hagen. The cari has come a long way from the original Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor of 1959.
Caine and able
In 1996, a man who helped make the Mini famous, Michael Caine, poses with a Cooper he has signed. The car was due to be auctioned for charity.
Feeling blue
This bright blue Paul Smith Edition Mini is pictured in 1998. A total of 1,800 were made, of which 300 were sold in the UK. The rest went to Japan.
Stripe dream
This striped special was part of the 40th birthday celebrations, when celebrities helped design their own Minis. Here is Paul Smith’s take.
Keyword: Stars who drove classic Minis