Specifications
STORY
The classic Mini is one of the most influential cars ever built. Launched in August 1959 as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor, Alec Issigonis's design turned the A-series engine sideways, drove the front wheels and hid the gearbox in the sump, devoting about 80 percent of a ten-foot car to people and luggage. It became a cultural icon of the 1960s and stayed in production, remarkably, until 2000.
Formula 1 constructor John Cooper transformed it into a giant-killer: the 1961 Mini Cooper and the 970/1071/1275cc Cooper S humbled far bigger machinery. On the world stage the little car won the Monte Carlo Rally outright in 1964 (Paddy Hopkirk), 1965 (Timo Makinen) and 1967 (Rauno Aaltonen). It famously finished 1-2-3 in 1966 as well, before a disputed headlight disqualification. Pat Moss had already given it its first international rally win at the 1962 Tulip Rally. That heritage is the foundation on which BMW rebuilt the modern Mini brand from 2001.
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