ALT-1 The History of the Mini
The mini was produced from 1959 2000 by the British Motor Company. It was deemed the 2nd most influential car of the Century in 1999 by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation, second only to the Ford model T. It was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis with a focus on fuel efficiency. The mini is a supreme example of efficiency, a fine example of minimalism. Rarely does one encounter such simple functional style in cars produced today.
Only three major updates were made on the mini, however mini's innovative design features were a major influence on many other car designs. The unique mini shape is a registered trademark design, a British icon with a worldwide following. The last mini was produced on October 4th 2000. Over five million minis were manufactured, during the forty one year production cycle, with only 10,000 of these manufactured as left hand drive vehicles for the United States. Once production ceased for BMC in 2000, a successor version of the mini was introduced by BMW, who have already manufactured over one million of these new generation minis.
The abundance of parts and simplicity of design has ensured the mini is still as popular today as it was in the swinging sixties, with mini clubs and enthusiasts spanning the globe. 50 years on, a variety of motorists can still support the mini icon in their own way. The new BMW mini, for mini fans after something more technologically contemporary. The old classic restored mini for fans happy to simmer in the simplicity of the "little brick" with a minimum of features and be overtaken on the open roads on those Sunday drives. Finally there are the enthusiasts who customize their minis. The minis gained quite a reputation as a rally car with the mini cooper s winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967.
The mini is a tiny, light weight car with a very small engine, efficient fuel consumption and easy to park practically anywhere. Beneath the diminutive stature of this little automobile there is an attention getting personality with an amazing handling capability. The 1969 film :"The Italian Job" starring Michael Caine with arguably one of the cinema's finest car chase scenes is a classic example of minis in action. Three minis as the getaway cars in a gold heist speeding their way through the streets, sidewalks, rivers and stairs of Italy.
The mini's classic status can only continue to provide a wonderful yet simple alternative motoring experience to the currently preferred trend of driving big SUV's and Off Road vehicles. Undoubtedly the lure of a smooth, air conditioned environment, powered by a large engine, with surround sound, dvd player, cup holders and an array of off road functions one is yet to, if ever use create a compelling package. How long will this be the case? Depleting fuel supplies, increasing fuel costs, road congestion and environmental impact may result in the classic cars and SUV's of 2040 being too impractical to consider driving. Long live the mini.
