| Ever since the first model of the Mini went into | | | | interested in this idea, but were eventually |
| production in the late 1950's, the first ever | | | | persuaded. It was then when a new version of |
| space-saving, fuel sparing motor car captured the | | | | the original prototype was designed- The Mini |
| hearts of countless car lovers. The design, a | | | | Cooper. The Mini Cooper would then be |
| result of rationed petrol due to problems with oil | | | | (famously) a regular in the Monte Carlo Rally. The |
| suppliers, meant that the car market was | | | | Mini was incredibly successful in these Rally's, and |
| desperately in need of a car with a smaller engine, | | | | were placed 1st in 1964, 1965 and 1967. |
| yet could be spacious as well. Queue the Mini. This | | | | However, in 1966, Mini Coopers were placed in |
| car became a 1960's icon, and since then has | | | | 1st, 2nd and 3rd position, much to the dismay of |
| been catapulted into being one of the most | | | | the French teams who wanted an all Citreon finish. |
| recognisable car designs of all time. | | | | Controversially, the Mini was disqualified for having |
| As mentioned, the Mini's design was based on the | | | | seemingly different headlights which were illegal to |
| need that British cars needed to become more | | | | the competition. This disqualification has arguably |
| efficient- fuel was rationed and big cars simply | | | | been said to be the reason for the cars |
| weren't fitting the bill. The task of creating a car | | | | popularity, and the reason why this car is now a |
| which would be fuel-efficient and would have | | | | cultural icon. |
| enough room for passengers and luggage was | | | | Throughout the sixties, seventies and eighties, the |
| challenged by three men, whose second-to-none | | | | Mini continued to sell incredibly well, but towards |
| design abilities and passion created a model which | | | | the end of the eighties suffered because of the |
| would change the car world forever. One of the | | | | introduction of other small cars, such as the |
| main features of the car was its magical ability to | | | | Metro. Mini eventually stopped its production, and it |
| create space out of such a small framework. The | | | | wasn't until 1994 that BMW took over the Mini |
| car only measures 10x4x4 feet, and amazingly, | | | | Empire. The Mini was then fitted with an airbag, to |
| 80% of its space is for the use of its passengers | | | | comply with European legislation. During the |
| and luggage. This was done by changing the | | | | coming years, the Mini had a re-vamp. Four new |
| suspension system, which created a lot more | | | | versions of the car were produced, and along |
| room and pushed the wheels further apart. | | | | with the new models came a re-vamped name- |
| During the early sixties, the designer's of the Mini | | | | the MINI. British roads and motorways saw a |
| had a friend called John Cooper, who saw the | | | | surge of new MINI's, as well as the older models |
| opportunity to change the Mini into more of a | | | | re-emerging. The Mini craze came back with a |
| performance car, and saw its potential to become | | | | vengeance, and supported the Mini's place as a |
| a race car. The designer's were not initially | | | | true British icon. |