Over 50 years ago the Austin car company were jealous of the bubble car revolution caused by the BMW Isetta and more importantly the Fiat 500, and decided to build their own rival. Just like the cheap knock off cars built today by the Chinese car market, Sir Alec Issigonis took the Fiat 500, got rid of the bubbleness and stuck the engine in the front. I apologise for being biased but I own a Fiat 500, enough said. Just like its predecessor, the Austin 7, the mini was an instant hit around the world.
Minis were made for all sorts of different people; there were Mini vans for builders and bakers, Mini Pick-ups for farmers and Mini Travellers for travellers, but BMC forgot to make a Mini for the larger market - tall people.
If you wanted good fuel consumption and and practicality you bought a Mini and if you wanted to drive all the way to Turin and steal $4 million of gold from Fiat, you bought the Mini Cooper. The Cooper had monumental success in the Monte Carlo rally it's superb handling was due to a lightweight body and enough power to weave through the twisty Alpine roads.
The British public liked the Mini so much they kept making them until 2000- that's 41 years! Despite fitting airbags, some say it was the safety aspects which forced the Mini to end its production in 2000. According to Sir Alec "I don't design my cars to have accidents". There was a slight problem with the crumple zone on impact; it ended up being your face. It was extremely popular amongst celebrities including the Beatles and famously killed T.Rex lead singer Marc Bolan. The Cooper is what really got me into cars, I remember watching the Italian Job with amazement and watching a bunch of cockneys in minuscule but mighty cars jump off roofs and drive through sewage pipes escaping from the Polizia.
Hang on lads, I've got a great idea. This year the Italian Job turns 40 so I thought they could make a sequel set in 2006: Whilst the world watches Italy win the world cup, Fiat fit out the mafia with prototype Abarth 500s and send them to England to steal back the gold. I shall call it "Il lavoro Inglese". I'm sure Holywood will be on the phone any minute now.
I wouldn't say I hate the Mini, I adore the styling, the engine, dare I say it is better than my Fiat 500 because it has one thing Fiat forgot to design - a boot. The Mini spirit lives on in the not so mini BMW Mini. My advise would be to save that £12000 on the BMW and buy yourself a classic Cooper and have some fun. Happy Birthday Mini.
Please note we do not endorse driving through Paris pretending you are a CIA agent with memory problems nor do we promote driving from the roof of your Mini as demonstrated by a Mr Bean.
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