Mini. A modern iconic car
MINI is not just a small car brand developed in the UK. It’s the elegance in MINImum space. MINI is a car that was first painted on a napkin and became a legend. As many people believe, MINI is the most heartwarming of all current brands. It’s charisma and dynamics. MINI is the uniqueness itself! MINI is the Car of the 20th Century. Nowadays, the owner of the brand is a German BMW company, which has made the impossible manageable! BMW has not only revived the brand but also made it a cult-favorite one of our time!
126 experts from all over the world put it in 2nd place after the legendary Ford Model T. In 1995, the small miracle MINI was selected as the best car of the century by readers of the Autocar - the most respectable British edition about cars. 4 years later, it was recognized as the Best Car of Europe of the XX century at the award ceremony in Las Vegas. MINI cars were also winning the prestigious car races many times, leaving many more promising competitors behind!
2-nd prize in the ‘Car of the XX century’ contest, ‘The Best Car of the Century’, ‘The Best European Car of the XX Century’, the favorite car of Mr. Bin and Madonna - all this is about MINI!
MINI became a movie star, having twice starred in The Italian Job - in both the original movie of 1969 and its remake of 2003. Also, MINI Cooper made the biggest traffic jam ever in cinema. Moreover, in 2003, all MINI cars were purchased from BMW dealers, their market value was fully paid. Meanwhile, Fiat not only offered any number of small cars free of charge, but also a premium of $50,000. However, the movie management said that only MINI – as a symbol of the modern UK – would be shot, as it’s cheerful and self-confident.
Is there someone who doesn’t know Mr. Bean, played by the famous English comedian Rowan Atkinson? Mr. Bean drives a cute MINI car with bolted doors, locked with barn padlocks. Singer Madonna drives her red MINI Cooper across London traffic. She also used the car brand to shoot her video for the song called American Life.
Over the years, the MINI brand has repeatedly changed its owners and its name - Austin MINI, Morris MINI, Rover MINI. Nowadays, the owner of the brand is a German BMW company, which has made the impossible manageable! BMW has not only revived the brand but also made it a cult-favorite one of our time!
But let’s put first things first.
The first days of the mini car
The history of MINI began in the distant ‘50s of the last century – not from scratch but from the trench that was dug for the Suez Canal. As a result of the Suez Crisis in 1956, gasoline became costly. Leonard Lord, president of the British Motor Corporation, the largest British automotive corporation at the time, which owned such brands Austin, Morris, and MG, felt the necessity to create a small car with low gasoline consumption. After all, the London authorities decided to restrict free parking and introduce a parking fee. London extremely needed a small low-consumption car that could park everywhere!
In just ten years, the English queen dubbed Alexander (Alec) Issigoni knight for MINI. Mini is the best-selling british car in the world!
The president of BMC has formulated the difficult tasks: to create the car as little as it’s possible but big enough for 4 adults and their luggage. This way the first Austin MINI appeared in 1959. Its founder, engineer, and designer of British Motor Corporation Alexander (Alec) Issigonis, all his free time devoted to the new project, literally drawing it on napkins. The talented designer fulfilled the task, using many unconventional “first-ever” solutions. In just ten years, the English queen dubbed Alec knight for MINI. By the way, in order to maximize production and stay within budget, future Sir Alec Issigonis made the bodywork extremely simple. This way, influenced by circumstances, the recognizable exterior features of the MINI were shaped.
This small, nimble, and cost-efficient car immediately stole the show. MINI is a small and affordable car that has immediately won the hearts of the British people. In London, the era of MINI cars has really come. Here is what David Bowie compared MINI for parking to the English sandwich for a hungry person – with excellent classical design.
The car was not just cute, but also very durable and reliable. And it was produced under several brands: Austin MINI and Morris Mini-Minor. Distinctive features of early models were external door hinges, a slot in the grille to open the hood (the hood had no lock and opened from outside), sliding windows of the front doors, and the absence of decorative wheel arch pads. Surprisingly, it’s the MINI that becomes the car for travel! The rear door, spacious luggage rack, folding seats – everything is made for the convenience of a long journey. There were new modifications to the car, expanding its possibilities.
The very two-color MINI coloring appeared in 1961. John Cooper, the famous racing driver and designer of Formula One, designed it for the sports version.
And when the sports version of MINI Cooper was created by the famous racing driver and designer of Formula One, John Cooper, the impossible has happened! MINI, initially designed for the poor, became a luxury car for the elite of British society. It was then that the two-color MINI coloring, which became a classic, appeared. Less than 3 years after its birth, MINI has conquered its place on the roads all over the world, especially enjoyed by female drivers.
And its racing success was shocking! The female crew of MINI took the Cup of Coupe des Dames in Monte Carlo and won the Tulip Race. MINI was first in the Alpine Rally, ahead of the Ford Falcons. And then MINI took over entire Europe after winning the Monte Carlo Rally three times. This rally has been considered the most significant event among motorsport enthusiasts. And all this is in virtue of the legendary MINI Cooper S, created by the congenial John Cooper.
In 1965, about six years after its launch, MINI produced its 1-millionth car. In the same year, the first MINI with an automatic gearbox entered the market. And only in 1969, 10 years after the first MINI, the logo of MINI appeared. This year, taking the best of Austin MINI and Morris MINI Minor models, a car known as just a MINI appeared. By this time, the manufacturer also changed its name, becoming British Leyland Motor Corporation.
In 1971, 318475 MINI cars were produced, which made them the best-selling British car in the world. By the way, for Rover, Alec Issigonis during the economic crisis of the ‘70s developed his Mini produced until 2000. In 1986, 5M MINI cars were produced. In the same year British Leyland was renamed into Rover Group. In 1994, it was taken over by BMW concern.
Under the BMW’s control
By this time, the existing modification of the MINI was finally outdated. The Germans had to develop a new version of the legend. And the BMW engineers were honored to fulfill this difficult task. They managed almost impossible – the new MINI, which appeared in April 2001, was not just a successful replacement for the old one, it became a cult-favorite. For example, specialists from Volkswagen never created a worthy replacement for the Beetle. Beetle II did not even come close to the glory of its legendary predecessor. The production of the classic MINI was discontinued in 2000. Shortly before that, the Germans announced that they were taking orders from everyone who wanted to buy a unique car. The number of orders was counted in the thousands. By the way, all new models, produced by BMW, are written in capital letters MINI – to tell them from the classic Mini.
All new models, produced by BMW, are written in capital letters MINI – to tell them from the classic Mini.
The German version of MINI looks rather aggressive and makes a perfect fit with much bigger prestigious models. BMW continues to delight fans of the brand with even more attractive models and concepts. For example, a modification of Clubman has been revived. In 2010-2011, a new model of the famous retro car MINI Countryman was created.
For more than 6 decades of its existence, MINI experienced ups and downs, change of the company owner, and change of spelling of the brand name. The only thing that hasn’t ever changed is the extraordinary charm of British cars. MINI is easy to fall in love with because it contains everything we love in small sports cars. It pleases everyone with its lightness, good taste, and quick driving. And, regardless of their age and areas of activity, people have loved MINI.
