A convoy of Minis is driving from Melbourne to Sydney this week to celebrate 60 years of the beloved car in Australia.
While last year was the actual 60th anniversary, the pandemic has seen celebrations postponed until now.
The car is an icon of 1960s British pop culture, and for many, like convoy co-organiser Roger Bektash, it's been a lifelong passion.
"The mini design has really inspired all the modern four cars we get now," he said.
"All front wheel drives follow the mini principles.
"Of course, they're much more luxurious and even faster now.
"But the mini was a revolutionary car of the time."
'They were the most competitive car'
The two-door car was produced by British Motor Corporation and successors from 1959 to 2000.
Australian production first began in 1961 at the company's headquarters at the Nuffield facility at Victoria Park in Sydney.
"The original, in 1961, had a button on the floor to start it," Mr Bektash said.
"Isn't it interesting, you now have a button on the dash to start the modern car.
It was the best-selling small car in Australia for many years in the 1960s.
And in 1966, the zippy little vehicles won the first nine places at the Bathurst 500 Race outright.
"They were unbeatable," Mr Bektash said.
"All the top drivers of the day drove minis because they were the most competitive car in 1966."
Three years later, Minis were featured in British caper film The Italian Job, further cementing the cars' reputation as pop culture icons.
Convoy to finish in Sydney with a celebration
A small group of Mini enthusiasts set out from Melbourne on Thursday to start the convoy.
They are driving along the old Hume Highway – following the route that existed back in 1961 – and stopping regularly so others can join.
In addition to 60s models, the car drive will feature Minis from throughout the decades, including the Mini Cooper, produced by BMW since 2001.
As for Mr Bektash, he'll be driving a vintage Mini Moke.
"It's the cross country version, the utility version of a Mini, and looks a bit like a tent on wheels," he said.
They will finish with the Minis DownUnder 2021 celebration in Sydney on Sunday, which will feature car clubs from across the country.
"It will be quite a spectacular sight."
