Did you see the minicooper? I'm told it's made by the #1 European car manufacturer.
That is an arguable statement... I am assuming you are referring to their new "master". The makers of the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' (namely, BMW -vom Bayern)
Yes, they are very good at what they do; even produce a Formula 1 motor... but the ‘best’? well, that is arguable. Even the most tamed Porschephiles would argue that.
The original manufacturer of the Mini was the British Motor Corporation (BMC), at that time the British auto industry was in far better shape than what it is today, at the time (August 26, 1959 --the birth of the Mini) they were very competitive. While the Mini was the response to the Suez canal oil crisis of the late 50's, it became much more than that
BMC was very innovative....
History of the Mini Originally conceived by innovator Alec Issigonis, the Mini was intended to be the smallest possible car that would still accommodate four adults and luggage -- measuring approximately 10 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet wide. A chassis designer by background, Issigonis realized that he would need to use very small,10-inch wheels and all independent suspension, which was rare in the UK at the time. However, the truly brilliant solution was to employ a transverse engine, driving the front wheels via a gear box and final drive built into the sump of the engine -- a concept that had never been tried before.
minimania.com
Sadly, the British auto industry has been in a slow decline since then... (mostly the result of unions and a patronizing government)... the real independent workers, however, to this day remain as imaginative and productive as ever... proof of it is the fact that a little over 50% of the Formula One teams are from (or based in) England can testify for this fact.
The Mini soon after its inception became more than just an automobile...
"When the Mini automobile made its debut in Great Britain, many didn't know what to make of its small size and revolutionary features. However, the British press soon fell in love with the Mini, as did the fashionable `Chelsea set,' Sixties London's equivalent of today's younger, fashion-forward crowd," commented Tom Purves, chairman of the BMW Group in the US. "Famous people -- including Peter Sellers and Peter Ustinov -- began buying Minis and even members of the Royal Family were seen around town in the cheeky autos. People were beginning to realize that the Mini was more than just a car. It was a fashion statement and a whole new way of life."
In addition to Sellers and Ustinov, other celebrities who have owned Minis include Sir Paul McCartney, Natalie Imbruglia, Ringo Starr, David Bowie and Kate Moss.
I was lucky enough to drive the "mini-minor" version... ufortunately back then I was not able to come up with he additional $$ to upgrade to the Mini-Cooper "S" version, which although it was the same basic chassis, there were vital differences and modifications, primarily a much meaner engine developed by John Cooper of Formula One fame...
Today, John Cooper has been honored with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) medal...
John Cooper, the distinguished Grand Prix race-car constructor and father of the Mini Cooper, has been presented with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) medal for services to the motor industry.
Cooper, (76) was a leading race car constructor in the 1960s and his team produced many race-winning cars driven by greats such as Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart and Bruce McLaren. Stewart won the Formula 3 World Championship in a John Cooper car powered by the Mini's 'A' Series engine while Brabham won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1959 and 1960 in a Cooper car.
John Cooper was one of the first to recognize the racing potential of the Mini, taking his ideas to a skeptical Alec Issigonis in 1960. Once convinced of Cooper's ideas, the development of the first Mini Cooper began, resulting in the launch of the car in 1961. In 1963 the even more potent Mini Cooper 'S' was launched, putting Mini firmly into competition racing and forming the backbone of a strong works team. The high point for Mini Cooper racing was the three Monte Carlo Rally wins of 1964, 1965 and 1967 (in 1966, a Mini Cooper again came in first, but was disqualified for having non-standard headlamps).
minimania.com
I wonder if such 'disqualification' was due to the Minis been fitted with one of LUCAS headlamps... I will have you know that LUCAS is the infamous British manufacturer of electrical parts, including headlamps... perhaps, it is some form if sick poetic -in-justice... since the nickname for LUCAS was/is... "The Prince of Darkness" -ggg
Some technical history (if you are interested)
minimania.com
competition in old Mexico...
minimania.com
even a twin engine Mini
minimania.com
and a summary of its entire history...
outmotoring.com
But all that is history...
Today, the German firm BMW is the new master of the famous British jewel. Much like they have done in Formula One, the German motor manufacturers have joined forces with the British designers and engineers, like Mercedes-McLaren and BMW-Williams BMW is now the proud owner of the NEW Mini and more importantly, the new Mini
Here it is.... The new Mini Cooper with a BMW soul..
mini.com
try a game....
mini.com
The famous 1964 Monte Carlo Rally victory...
mini.com
Enjoy....
It is a great car.... a lot of fun to drive, one of the tricks I used to try do with my mini was to drive it in old country roads (many of them gravel), and try to make it "roll over" -gg the center of gravity was so low, I could hardly make it lift one of its rear wheels...
I also had a Datsun .... that one I was able to put it in two wheels ... the mini... never... I am anxious to try the new ones... |
