2009 Featured Marque - Mini Cooper
A Little Mini History
50 years of fun!!
In the mid fifties Britain and Egypt were in turmoil over the lease rights to the Suez Canal. This conflict would start pressure in the automotive industry that would bring about what has been labeled as "The Car of the Century".
During this time, King Farouk was overthrown by Nasser who formed the Egyptian Republic and began blocking freighters and ignoring the Suez Canal leases in place. In 1955 petroleum accounted for half the canal's traffic. And by the 1959 the price of gas went from 18 cents to 25 cents a gallon. This combined with the already VAT conscious customers put some car companies in dire straits. BMW who had long been a premier luxury car company was in serious trouble and also aware of the upcoming cycle car market. After talking with ISO Cars of Italy in the mid fifties, they purchased the rights to a very small 250 cc 3-wheel car called the ISO. Adding a 4th wheel, and renamed the Isetta this little car is credited for saving Bavarian Motor Works. Along with other cars such as the Heinkel, and the Messerschmitt, a new class called bubble cars emerged with great mileage and very low VAT.
British Motor Corp. (BMC) who had a diverse line of large sedans and mileage conscious 2 seater sports cars was also curious about the bubble cars and the need for an economy car for the general masses. They called on designer Alec Issigonis who was working for Morris Motors since 1936. Issigonis, born in Turkey, and one of the designers of the Morris Minor, in the late forties, and then the Alvis in the mid fifties, was tasked with the new car design.
In 1955 Alec joined the new BMC, the amalgamation of Austin and Morris. In 1957 he began his work on the design of an economy sport sedan that would be the Morris Mini Minor and the Austin Seven, today better known as the Mini.
The design was simple but revolutionary in functionality, performance and appeal. Alec started with four passengers and built around that. Moving the 4 wheels to the farthest points out, eliminating the hump in the floor, were the first requirements. This lead to a front wheel drive, 36HP, 848 cc engine, 1200 lb sedan. The traditional oil pan was replaced by a 3 synchro gear box and was the second car in history (Citroen was the first) to use to use CV (constant velocity) joints, then used in trains and elevators, for the drive train hook up. This eliminated the hump with front wheel drive, and produced one of the best cornering cars ever made. Other features included transverse mounted engine, rubber suspension, and 10" tires.
With production beginning in 1959 the success of the car was delayed a bit with some initial problems but soon met its requirements as a car for the masses. In 1960 there was still some concern about the success of the Mini and several projects were set underway. The new Mini van was introduced with a 10" longer wheelbase. Later in 1961 several other attempts were made to stimulate sales. Next was the Mini pickup, also a long wheelbase. Later that same year the badge was re-engineered and two new marks were released. The Riley Elf and the Wolseley Hornet. With a Rolls type grill and taillight fins, the Mini obtained some royalty.
Other releases included the Moke utility vehicle in 1964, and the new hydrolastic suspension Alec had been pushing for years. But the most important release that year was the Cooper S new 1275cc engine. In 1965 the Automatic transmission was released in the saloon but only enjoyed a short life. 1967 brought the MKII saloon, and in 1969 the Clubman was released. In 1969 the Cooper was dropped for the 1275 GT. Moving towards bigger engines in 1975 the Mini 1000 saloon introduced.
Soon the Mini became a fashion statement for all, including dignitaries and celebrities. Peter Sellers, the Beatles, the Monkees, James Garner, Paul Newman, and even Enzo Ferrari occasionally would take a Mini up in the Alps to unwind.
Formula One team manager John Cooper was approached by one of his mechanics to take a drive in his newly acquired Mini. Soon after John Cooper prepared several Minis for the famous Monte Carlo Rally. The result was 3 consecutive wins (1963 - 1965) in the Mini. Mini actually took first place the 4th year but the angry French protested that the headlight bulbs in the Minis were not stock equipment and the Mini was disqualified and Citroen (in 7th place, Lotus was also disqualified) was declared the winner. But the public knew who the real champion was.
Cooper was monumental in the promotion of the Mini. His many refinements to the Mini such as upgrade to 997cc, disc brakes, nitrided crank and suspension arms, dual tanks and a new shifting mechanism, turned it into the baby it was to become. Later these engineering features were added to the Mini and his name changed the Mini to what we all today know as the Cooper, and Cooper S or just plain Mini Cooper!!
The Mini became more than a car, it was a fashion statement. British rockers and statesmen were proud to be seen in their Minis, sometimes even personalized like the prestigious Radford Minis. Clubs all over the world have been formed to enjoy the fun of the Mini. And the Silver Screen and the movie "The Italian Job" turned Michael Cain into our new Mini hero.
Carnaby Street fashion designer Mary Quant wanted a skirt that made it easier for women to get in and out of their Minis. The result was a fashion garment that took England and America by storm. The mini skirt.
Eventually BMC would turnover production rights to Rover Group in 1985. Refinements such as roll up windows, radios, and air would make the Mini more appealing. And the uniquely, distinguishing external body seams would be replaced by smooth lines.
In all, over 5 million Minis were produced in some 5 different countries. Africa, Spain, England, Australia, and Canada. Models included the Seven, the Cooper and Cooper S, the Estate, the Van, the Countryman, the Traveler, the Moke, the Pickup, with different country marques like the Authi, and the Innocenti.
2001 BMW would buy the rights to the Mini (now spelled in uppercase "MINI") and in 2002 with a new company name, and designer Frank Stephenson, the MINI Cooper from BMW was on the market.
Initially priced from $18,280 the new MINI Cooper was equipped with a 1.6 liter, 115 hp, OHC, 16 valve engine from Brazil.
Today BMW has a full line of MINIs that include the;- MINI Cooper
- MINI Cooper S
- MINI Cooper Clubman and S Clubman
- MINI Cooper Convertible and S Convertible
- MINI Cooper Works Hardtop and Works Clubman
There are two major national shows in the US every year for Mini and Mini enthusiasts. They are the Mini Meet East and Mini Meet West. With over 150 cars and hundreds of fans the mini events include funkhanas, rallies, concours, and the Autocross.
Please help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mini by coming to the Columbus Arthritis Foundation Classic Car Show, which will feature the Mini this year as the show marque.