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