Life is full of clichés: sky are blue, roses are red, Ferraris are red as well and you’ll never find a girl that loves cars more than you do. Ehm … wrong! Wake up, it’s 2020 and unless you’ve spent your last 30 years in quarantine, you’ve probably met hundreds of girls that share a deep and sincere love for cars and we bet most of them actually drive better than you. So, what if one of this girl actually breathes and loves to talk about cars 24/7, represents the ultimate definition of good vibes, looks prettier than Angelina Jolie in “Gone in 60 Seconds” and also started her own business company? Seriously, she is real.

I figured out not to miss the chance to have a chat with Bárbara and be driven by her enthusiastic bond with her shiny MINI Cooper D Convertible. These two together ultimately represent the perfect match you can ever find.

 

 

Hey Auto Class Magazine! My name is Bárbara, I am 24 years old and I live in Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, with beautiful tiny streets, colorful buildings, large windows and shiny tiles.

I am a Clinical and Health Psychology Graduate and I have a strong interest for Aviation Psychology. In 2012 I started my own company named BC Exclusive, a Portuguese jewellery and accessories brand created for women with attitude. Since then, my main goal has been to develop it, making it exclusive, special and unique.

My deep passion for cars is easily explained: like father, like daughter. I grew up surrounded by classic and sports cars, so there are too many memories! I adopted my father’s love, an entrepreneur who has a real passion for cars and has been in the automobile business as a trader and collector of classic cars.

 

Since childhood, cars have been part of my everyday life and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. One of my earliest memories is sitting on my father’s lap, driving around the streets. Also, he always took me to several classic car meetings. I love the aesthetics of old cars and their timelessness.

I’ve been obsessed with cars for about as long as I can remember. I just love driving and the sensations this world offers: speed, adrenaline and power.

 

 

We all know a MINI is not just a car, it really creates a bond with its driver. Why did you choose it?

MINIs just make the world a better place. Once I get behind the wheel, I know it is a good choice. They can quickly go fast, make turns without a problem and can practically park anywhere.

At 18, when I got my driving license, I had my first MINI. A 2001 Gray MINI Cooper, my best friend for 5 years and my great companion. I miss it!

 

Recently, I needed a change and I was lucky to have my dream car, my Caribbean Aqua Metallic. So, we have been partners since June 2019. I had never seen this color around and when I first saw it, I fell in love with this very MINI. I was just overwhelmed with joy.

I’ve always dreamed of driving a convertible and I´m the number one fan of this color. Because it´s such a fun car to drive, it´s the journeys we take together that makes the best part of our special bond.

 

As I say everyday… I drive my dream car. I like colorful cars, red, pink, blue, green! When you look around, today most cars are black, silver or white. I’m somebody who goes against the grain. There’s no denying that the clear waters of the Caribbean are unbelievably blue and I usually get a lot of compliments about my car every time I drive it. That makes me very happy and proud.

I know that my Caribbean is an impressive and very unusual MINI. I love its unique look and race car-like qualities.

I always had a huge passion for MINIs and this was my dream car for too many years! I guess that MINIs have a unique ability to make you smile. Life is full of clichés. Exclusivity is up to you.

 

 

Some great drives so far?

For drivers who just wanna have fun, the MINI is the only game in town. I drive my Caribbean everyday, even if I don’t have a purpose or a specific place to go. I am currently obsessed with night drives, with the top open, always (even when it’s freezing).

Driving my MINI just makes me feel so good. I challenge anyone to get into this car and not end up saying, “the MINI is the most fun car you’ll ever drive”. Don’t dream it, drive it!

 

Finally girls are getting what they deserve in a world (of cars) where until a few years ago they were wrongly underestimated. Have you got some story that relates to this?

I think girls are becoming way more interested in all sorts of things that used to be just for “boys”, especially the cute little cars like mine. However, I am used to hear a lot of comments such as:

“Wow, I never thought it was a girl driving”,

“Oh, you really can drive, I’m impressed!”,

“I know very few girls who like to talk about cars”.

 

Pick a location, a soundtrack and an escape partner.

This one is easy! Ibiza Island with my best friend Valentina, listening to “Con Calma” from Daddy Yankee. We share the same love – MINI.

 

So, quarantine is finally over, where are you going to have a proper spin in the Mini?

You have no idea of how much I missed driving! I´ve been thinking of taking my convertible, this summer, to Algarve, our typical holiday town in the south of Portugal.

I just feel like driving gives you a getaway from the world. I often take the longest way to my destination. The car lets you see the world with such ease! Sometimes I set a random destination and when I get there I’m like “sh*t, is the drive over already?”

 

Any other interesting projects for the incoming summer season?

One of my main goals when creating the Caribbean Blue Mini Instagram page was to build a community of MINI LOVERS and start organizing MINI Meetings. Soon I will start thinking about this event and plan everything in detail.

Sounds great! Count us in. Time to say hello to our readers Bárbara

Hey Auto Class Magazine fans! If you are reading this, I guess you love cars as much as I do! When driving is becoming a boring task, you probably want to give a Mini Cooper a try. It’s a car that’s reliable, recognizable and makes people smile. The MINI brand it’s not defined by age, gender or income; it´s all about a mindset.

I think that MINI owners are all fundamentally young at heart and animated by an intense enthusiasm for driving their cars. As I always say, my Caribbean is an extension of my personality.

 

Hey, still have some fun facts I want to share with you!

– My dream garage would have my blue MINI Convertible, an orange Lamborghini Huracan and my father´s red Maserati Shamal.

– I always drive with the open top, day or night time.

– Top 5 favorite details about my car? Here we go: color, convertible, led ring, satellite gray interior and … Exclusivity, ‘cause life is too short to drive boring cars!

Ciaooo!

 

Do not forget to follow Bárbara on her Instagram pages: @barbaraclarobc @caribbeanbluemini

By the way, MINI Portugal, you should really take into consideration hiring this girl as your ultimate brand ambassador!

 

Edited by Alessandro Marrone / Photos courtesy of Bárbara Claro