LETTER FROM UK: MINI AT SIXTY – A PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW
Geoff Maxted examines the history of a tiny car.
It became evident after World War II that British cars were outdated in terms of technology and design. At a time when fuel was still rationed, and the people were still recovering from the horrors of war. We needed to be cheered up as a country. The old, big black cars of pre-war were beginning to show their age. They also consumed fuel at an alarming pace.
The American auto industry, on the other hand, was flourishing, with cars that were chrome-bright, modern, and fantastic rolling off production lines. It was time to act.
Early Days: Instant Appeal
Michael Caine, the star of The Italian Job, said “Hang on, lads. I’ve come up with a great idea”. The engineer Alec Issigonis’s words are not known, but his idea for a transverse engine on a small and economic car transformed the industry in 1959.
The British Motor Corporation Mini is born.
Front-wheel drive wasn’t a novel idea, but the brilliant move to turn the 850cc BMC “A” Series four-cylinder sideways so that 80 percent of this small car’s floorpan could be devoted to passengers and luggage certainly was. The Mini with its round center console and 18″ long stick-shift became the iconic car of 1960’s. It was also the star of The Italian Job. The Mini remained popular for two decades. It evolved over that time, becoming less appealing but more advanced.
The build quality was poor, even by today’s standards. It was cheap and didn’t apologize for it. The Mini was the ‘people car’, a four-seater runaround that the sweaty masses could afford. And they did. It was fuel-efficient, handled well and gave the driver a ‘in crowd’ feeling.
My first car was a Mini
My father was a cop and knew people who knew other people. He was therefore able to find things via, say, alternative channels. The car had been stripped inside, but there was not much there to begin with. It was a modest car that had been used in many local races at Brands Hatch.
The race car’s engine was removed (Boo!) The standard engine was replaced, but not before a new cylinder head and a few unwise modifications were made to give the car a bit more power. To be honest, when I was younger, I did not give much consideration to better braking or the like.
The car was eventually replaced by a red Mini Cooper, which slashed the crucial zero to sixty time to an amazing 17.2 seconds. For my birthday, they bought me a steering wheel with drilled-out wood rims. It was, in fact, a babe-magnet. But only when the driver was visible. . .
The Bell Tolls
The Mini has been a huge success in Motorsport since its inception. People have found many ways to replace or tune the original, puny engine. In 1964, it was dominating the international rally scene. The company quickly jumped on the opportunity and introduced the Cooper S and Cooper S models, with the latter appearing as a police vehicle. Later versions lost the magic of the original model as designers tried to extend the life span of the model. Sales also dropped as other designs replaced the Cooper.
The bell rang in 2000. The Mini was gone.
The Lovable Raccal Returns
BMW stripped the assets from the British Leyland Group (now known as the British Leyland Group) but kept the Mini name. It turned out to be a clever move because even though the car wasn’t being produced anymore, the Mini name remained, as enthusiasts continue to drive cars that are over 50 years old.
German car manufacturer BMW was quick to recognize the opportunity and started producing the Mini in its 21 st century form. They retained the round dash as a clever marketing strategy, but stuffed it full of the latest technology. BMW has managed to retain at least a little of the historical sense of the original product in a modern car, even though the lovable rascal is now a grown-up with a city suit and more weight.
Rose-tinted glasses
In many ways, it is true that the newer version is better than the original. Anyone who loves cars would do almost anything to have a 1959 original. I know I would.
After the war, Britain wanted a new start. For young people, this fresh start started in 1959, with Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, and Marty Wilde, a UK rocker. You had to be present. The BMC Mini is a must. The 1960s were a time of new music and fashions, led by Mary Quant, Carnaby Street and other icons. There was also free love, better prospects, and free love. ).
The Mini was the king of the road. It was a period of peace and renewal. The Mini was much more than a vehicle; it gave a generation the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms of the road. We made the most out of this. That’s what I remember, at least. I’m not sure what happened.