| The Mini has been a style icon even | | | | celebrities such as Steve McQueen, Clint |
| since its original inception in 1959. | | | | Eastwood, and all four of the Beatles, |
| The combination of a cute and quirky | | | | and then add to this the release of The |
| little car which was not only great | | | | Italian Job, a big motion film with |
| around town, was owned and driven by the | | | | Michael Caine and Noel Coward, but which |
| rich and famous, but was also one of the | | | | firmly had Mini's as the main stars, and |
| most easily affordable vehicles | | | | it is no surprise that everyone wanted |
| available for the normal person in the | | | | to drive one of these great little cars. |
| street to both buy and maintain, | | | | Production of the classic Mini continued |
| propelled this automotive icon into | | | | until 2000 after which BMW, who now |
| being one of the most popular | | | | owned the brand name, announced their |
| British-made cars ever. | | | | successor, the BMW Mini. |
| From the time the first groundbreaking | | | | While many enthusiasts reject the claim |
| 850cc Morris Mini Minor rolled off the | | | | that the new Mini is in fact a genuine |
| production line on 26 August 1959, the | | | | successor, being longer, wider, heavier, |
| Sir Alec Issigonis' designed Mini was | | | | and being relatively more expensive to |
| destined for a big future. | | | | buy than the original, many others feel |
| The original mini from 1959 came about | | | | that the new larger Mini was the only |
| as Issigonis was challenged by The | | | | logical way for the car to keep up with |
| British Motor Company (BMC) to design a | | | | modern requirements. By retaining the |
| car to answer the problems resulting | | | | general overall styling look of the |
| from the European fuel crisis caused by | | | | classic car but upgrading the technical |
| the nationalization of the Suez Canal. | | | | specifications, BMW had to tread a fine |
| While German aircraft designers like | | | | line to produce a car which would retain |
| Messerschmitt, Heinkel as well as Isetta | | | | the quirky yet fun visual aspects of the |
| came up with tiny bubble cars in | | | | old vehicle as well as the superb |
| response, the head of BMC wanted a new | | | | handling characteristics which had made |
| car which was to be small at just four | | | | the original such a classic icon. |
| feet wide, by ten feet long and four | | | | Despite initial reservations from some |
| feet high but which could comfortably | | | | reviewers and fans of the old car, the |
| seat four adults and take their luggage | | | | new version of the Mini has so far |
| without any problems. | | | | proved to be almost as popular as the |
| The revolutionary engine and | | | | first, and with the help of BMW car |
| transmission design allowed for the | | | | finance over one million models were |
| creation of a car that was not only | | | | sold during the initial six years of |
| compact externally but made maximum use | | | | production |
| of available interior space. With great | | | | It seems that just like the original, |
| stability generated by the front wheel | | | | these latest models have also been able |
| drive and wheel at each corner | | | | to garner the attention of famous owners |
| arrangement, and the front grill and | | | | such as Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sharon |
| headlamp layout which created a cheeky | | | | Osbourne and Charlotte Church. While |
| face look, the car appealed to both | | | | the latest brace of cars bearing the |
| hardened driving fans as well as the | | | | Mini name, and the latest version of the |
| general population. | | | | Italian Job, may not be able to conjure |
| The creation of the Mini Cooper in 1961 | | | | up quite the same stirrings of emotion |
| which lead to three wins at the Monte | | | | that their predecessors did, it is |
| Carlo Rally between 1964 and 1967, | | | | undeniable that BMW has managed to avoid |
| driven by the likes of the great Paddy | | | | much of the backlash which remaking a |
| Hopkirk, as well as a host of other | | | | classic can bring. Instead the BMW Mini |
| racing triumphs, showed the Mini's true | | | | looks set to continue the legacy, albeit |
| driving pedigree. Combining this with | | | | in a different direction, which was |
| driving endorsements from big name | | | | started nearly 40 years ago. |