Page 45 - V1_2020-Fall-Winter Magazine

Charles has owned many different cars throughout his adult life. However, the zest for the
diminutive brand never left his mind. So, when the John Cooper Works GP edition of the
reimagined and modernized MINI was announced in 2006, he knew he had to have one. As an
owner of a JCW S from Braman MINI of Palm Beach, when the courtesy call came to gauge his
interest, he immediately confirmed his order.

The hotrod GP doubled down on everything Charles loved about the new MINI—which he felt
stayed remarkably faithful to the original by remaining low, light, and fun to drive. Naturally,
when the second generation of the GP became available seven years later, Charles snagged an
example as well. The second iteration proved a huge improvement over the first, and Charles
deemed it even more pleasing, as the increase in accessible speed put the MKII GP in the realm
of legitimate sports cars.

Now at the conclusion of another seven year cycle, the 2020 MKIII GP has arrived amid equal
measures of hype and criticism. Charles was initially skeptical of the styling choices and DCT
transmission—but any doubts immediately vanished over the course of his first drive. Charles
asserts that MINI has outdone themselves, providing a genuine, high performance track
focused weapon. The functional aspects of the latest car’s boisterous aesthetics quickly won
him over when he noticed the evolutionary strain linking it to the previous generation, while
the 302 horsepower mated to the lightning-fast gearbox corrected the only facet lacking from
the first two renditions.

In short, the new GP is unequivocally the best yet, though should that fact ever come into
doubt, Charles need only grab the keys to either of the previous GPs—his trio making for
a true MINI lover’s dream garage. While it would be irrational to compare any of the three
modern versions to his father’s original, the fact that the same formula for fun and excitement
is still evident in each all these years later has only deepened Charles’ devotion to the brand.
Three
He plans on remaining a MINI evangelist, and owner, for life.

of a kind

MINI OWNERS ARE BORN RATHER THAN MADE. For them, it is typically a matter of love at
first sight. Others simply will never “get it.” Whether as a primary mode of transportation or
reserved only for special occasions, the MINI has always been, and will continue to be, beloved
by owners of all genders, ages, and social standing.

Charles de Gunzburg has been entangled in a love affair with the marque for as far back as
he can remember; growing up in Paris during the ‘60s and watching his father leave to his
office every morning in a bright red MINI. It was this same MINI in which Charles escorted a
friend to dinner on the night he earned his license—receiving a reprimand the next day from
his father for not yet being on the family’s insurance plan. Once properly covered however,
Charles happily drove the MINI as much as possible before leaving for college in the US.

44 clubbraman.com 45