Classic Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper saga can be broken down into two distinct eras. The “classic” Mini Cooper and the “new” Mini Cooper. The new Mini Cooper era began when BMW took over the design and production of the Mini Cooper from the Rover Group in 2000. The classic Mini Cooper era began when Sir Alec Issigonis began his design phase in 1957 and British Motor Corporation began production for the 1959 model year. The classic Mini Cooper has an avid following that very much enjoys the austere qualities of the vehicle.

In 1956 there was a fuel shortage due to a world conflict over the Suez Canal. The United Kingdom saw fuel rationing for the first time since WWII. Because of the rationing British Motor Corporation(BMC) saw its sales slump dramatically. The president of the company put a task to Sir Alec. Design a car that will fit into a bow that is 10ft x 4ft x 4ft with the passenger area holding 6ft of the length and use an existing engine to power it. By October 1957 they had built the first classic Mini Cooper prototype called “The Orange Box”. This introduced one of the most unique mini cooper parts- the transverse engine. Another of the innovative classic Mini Cooper parts are the compact rubber cones used in the suspension to reduce the overall size of that component. There were a few more classic Mini Cooper parts that had to be developed especially for the car. The Mini Cooper was the first vehicle to use a 10″ tire. Dunlop had to rush a design to meet production deadlines. The most interesting of the design innovations was the trunk cover that hinged at the bottom. This was put on the car so that it could be driven with the trunk open, increasing the amount of available storage space. The rear licence plate was hinged so that it could be seen at all times. This feature was discontinued when complaints of exhaust fumes leaking into the passenger area started to surface.

The name “Mini” was not used until 1961. Before that the vehicle was marketed under the names Austin 7 and Morris Mini Minor. By the end of the classic Mini Cooper era there were several versions available: Mk l, Mk ll, the Clubman, and the Mk lll. There were variations in those: the estate car, a pickup truck, a van, and the Mini Moke -a jeep-like buggy.

The version of the classic mini Cooper does not matter. The lovers of the car say that the BMW company ruined the original. They love the spartan accouterments of the classic Mini Cooper. That is not to say the new Mini Cooper does not have a devoted following of its own.