The Motor Show - Minis

Television (Excerpts) – 1981

One of the most influential cars of the 20th century, the compact Mini attained Kiwi icon status in 1981 after it starred in movie Goodbye Pork Pie. In these clips from the 1980s Kiwi automobile series, reporter Islay McLeod (then Islay Benge) interviews Pork Pie stunt driver Peter Zivkovic about his "fun" experience; motor racing legend Chris Amon takes a Mini for a spin around Manawatu's Manfield race track; and ex newsreader Dougal Stevenson talks to a mechanic about the pitfalls of the Mini, including a tendency to rust and slip out of gear.

In its basic clothes, for all the world, it's essentially a cute little commuter, but even without hotting it up or lowering it down, a Mini can turn into a burning little beast if you know how to handle it properly.
– Reporter Islay Benge on Minis