Minis still turn heads

For Ho Sheng-chang (何盛長) size isn't everything. In fact, as far as the lean mechanic, his wife and his mother are concerned, the smaller the better and Minis are the only chariots to be seen in. As the proprietor of Taipei's Mini Ho garage he has been driving, repairing and customizing Mini Coopers for almost 20 years.

Ho bought his first Mini in 1985 and its butchered shell sits in his workshop today. He paid NT$270,000 for the 1960 car and it changed his life -- even becoming a cherished as a family pet. Since then, Ho has purchased three more Minis -- one more for himself and one each for his wife and mother.

"I offered to buy my wife the latest in compact cars several years ago, but she wouldn't have it," said the good-humored mechanic. "I showed her a glossy photo of a [Nissan] March and asked her if she wanted one. It took her about three seconds to answer. She made a face and shook her head and that was that."

Designed by Alec Issigonis, the first Austin Mini rolled off the production line in August 1959. Along with being the most compact car of its day, it was also the quickest to assemble. It could be put together in seven hours by hand or in two hours on an assembly line.

Along with the Volkswagen Beetle and Citroen 2CV, the Mini is one of the most collected and sought after cars in the world. In 1991 more Minis' were sold in Japan than anywhere else in the world, and a classic Mini can cost up to NT$750,000. Production of the original Mini design halted in 2000 after British Aerospace sold Rover to BMW. A total of 5.5 million Minis were made.

Ho's family might be considered less than ordinary when compared to the average Taiwan household, for whom owning the latest in glossy five-speed, four-wheel drive is must -- if only to impress the neighbors -- and they are certainly not alone in their love for the undersized British motor. Of the more than 5 million Minis produced, somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 of them either are plying the highways and byways or sitting idol in garages somewhere in Taiwan.

"It's hard to put an exact figure on the number of Minis in Taiwan because not all of them are on the road. There are probably somewhere in the region of 1,700 roadworthy vehicles, but then there are hundreds more stashed away in garages awaiting repair," Ho said. "Minor repairs might take only a few days, but importing certain parts can be a lengthy and costly process."

Chang Chung-ren (鄭崇仁) -- mechanic to celebrity Mini owners actor Porshe Suen (孫興) and singer Chang Cheng-yue (張震嶽) -- has been driving Minis for 14 years and in that time has serviced hundreds more. According to Chang, Minis are in big demand, especially amongst 20 to 35 year old fashion- and image-conscious males.

"I see about 150 to 200 Minis a year coming through my garage. I think some owners treat their cars better than their women," Chang said. "If their car is in for servicing, I get phone calls every day from these people asking if their car is OK and when can they can come and pick it up."

Nearly all of Taiwan's Mini owners are members of either one of Taiwan's 10 official Mini clubs or one of the half dozen private Mini owner associations. With memberships ranging from between 50 and 200, these clubs pool resources once a year and gather for the Taiwan National Mini Day on Oct. 12. Organized on a rotating basis by Mini clubs around the country, the event is now in its sixth year.