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History : All At Sea For The Mini Metro Launch…


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#1 mab01uk

mab01uk

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Posted 20 November 2017 - 07:20 PM

AROnline Contributor and former BMC manufacturing apprentice turned British Leyland retailer Richard Williams recalls the launch of the miniMetro aboard a cruise ship on the Irish Sea – what could possibly go wrong?

In mid-September, Williams Automobiles received an invitation to attend the launch of the new, much-needed hatchback and celebrate the Mini’s 21st Birthday. The event was to take place on a small cruise liner sailing out of the West Gladstone Dock in Liverpool. It was a time of great excitement – although the Metro project had been well publicized, the development work had been done secretly and very little was known about the car. The press buzz was growing fast.
We arrived at what was a cargo dock to see a lovely small cruise ship, the MS Vistafjord, waiting for us alongside the dock. We parked in the designated parking close by and boarded. It was mid-afternoon so it would give us time to settle in our cabin before we ventured up to the lounge to attend the Mini’s 21st Birthday celebrations. In every nook and cranny, there was a Mini with a big 21st birthday card on it. Not a sign of the new car at all…
The champagne and canapés flowed along with the sea sickness that was beginning to claim more and more victims. Apart from that, it was a lovely and well-thought-out celebration. Who could not love the little Mini, the world’s most innovative car? A truly classless car, which appealed to everyone, the Mini was fantastic for motorsport, leisure and town use, a true all-rounder. However, for its manufacturers and retailers the Mini had only one small problem – it was so keenly priced that it didn’t make money.It was amazing just how many Minis there were on board. They were on the decks, in all the large public areas and all around the ballroom.
The full story of the Metro launch here:-
http://www.aronline....nimetro-launch/

 






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