Mini, which is a lesson in how to get full efficiency from a small space, is truly an iconic vehicle in the automobile world. So how did the Mini come about, who thought of it, who invented it?
The Mini is a true British classic. Standing out with its different and interesting design in the automotive world, the Mini Cooper has the title of the best-selling British car of all time. Mini, which has sold more than 5.5 million units in 43 years, is a vehicle that represents simplicity, elegance and self-confidence.
Why Was Mini Cooper Founded?
We can say that Mini was born from the depression of the British economy in the 1950s. Due to the oil embargo imposed on England, there was a shortage of gasoline in the country. During this period, people turned to fuel-stingy cars called Bubble Cars. This car, which was imported from Germany, used a motorcycle engine and burned very little.
This vehicle was the Messerschmitt Kabinroller, which was launched by the company that produced the German warplanes in World War II. The engine of the three-wheeled car was designed by Fritz Fend, the famous aeronautical engineer of that time.
Leonard Lord, managing director of the British Motor Corporation (BMC), was alarmed by the public's demand for these cheap, unsafe and uncomfortable vehicles. Although these micro vehicles were very fuel efficient, they made a lot of noise. It was also very unsafe and only had 2 seats.
To understand the current situation, we also need to look at the oil crisis.
Suez Crisis
In 1955, two-thirds of Europe's oil needs were supplied from the Suez Canal. Oil from the Middle East was coming to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. In 1956, the Egyptian government declared the canal its national property and began to impose strict controls on oil passing through the canal.
Four months later, Britain, France and Israel declared war on Egypt and tried to gain control of the canal.
This intervention of the West was not warmly welcomed by the USA and the Soviet Union. Britain and France, who tried to start a war with the Saudi-based embargo, were punished in a sense.
When the fuel crisis broke out in England, gasoline began to be rationed. The right to a maximum of 15 liters of gasoline per person per month was granted.
British Motor Corporation Foundation
The British Motor Corporation was formed in 1952 by the merger of two rival companies, Austin and Morris. BMC found that the British public needed a cheap, safe and comfortable car. The newly designed vehicle would be small and have a passenger capacity of only 4 people. Leonard Lord, the general manager of the company, requested a maximum size of 3 meters x 1.2 meters x 1.2 meters. It was also stipulated that the vehicle should have 4 wheels and 4 cylinders.
Alec Issigonis
The person who brought the Mini to life was Alec Issigonis. Issigonis' task was very difficult, as serious work was required to meet the requirements demanded of him. It was a difficult task to design a 4-seater with a maximum length of 3 meters, but Issigonis was the most suitable name for the job.
Issigonis was an expert in designing compact, well-driving vehicles, having previously designed more than 1 million units sold by the Morris company, the Morris Minor.
“People don't know what they want, and it's my job to tell them what they want.”
Mini Designing
Issigonis began to assemble the team he would work with. They started with two successful engineers, Jack Daniels and Chris Kingham, and a few young engineers.
It is a legend that has been told for a long time that Issigonis made the first drawing of Mini on a napkin.
The design that Issigonis put forward was quite innovative. The team managed to turn the engine block 90 degrees thanks to a diagonal engine, thus saving space. Driving performance has been increased by using the front-wheel drive system, and the shaft that has to cross the vehicle from one end to the other is no longer needed. Of course, this reduced the cost and the weight of the vehicle. In addition, the 4-cylinder engine had 4 gear shifts.
The engine with a capacity of 848cc could reach a speed of 115 km per hour. The vehicle, which consumes about 6.2 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, was very close to Bubble vehicles in this regard. It also had good handling and was enjoyable to drive.
Because of this successful handling, auto racer and vehicle manufacturer John Cooper wanted to cooperate with Mini in the future.
Green Lighting
In June 1957, BMC managing director Leonard Lord tested the first Mini prototype and demanded mass production.
By 1960, two models were produced, Austin Seven Mini and Morris Mini Minor. These two vehicles, which have the title of being the world's first "Mini", were exactly the same except for a few differences. The reason for using two different names was to attract the customers of two rival brands. In other words, this was a marketing tactic aimed at two different customer groups, who used Austin or Morris before.
Mini Born
Thanks to an engine with a compact design, 80% of the vehicle was left to the passengers and the trunk. The hinge of the trunk allowed open travel, so large items could be placed in the trunk. Issigonis even convinced the tire manufacturer Dunlop to produce 10-inch tires. Thus, the tires would take up less space in the vehicle.
Issigonis, which placed all 4 tires at the very corner of the vehicle, prevented the tires from being too involved in the overall design of the vehicle. The car did not even have a radio, window handle and seat belt to save weight. However, because Issigonis was a heavy smoker, there was an ashtray.
Great attention was paid to even the smallest details and care was taken to ensure that the vehicle had the maximum load capacity. The first mass-produced model was introduced in early 1959. This vehicle, called the Mark 1 Mini, was produced until 1967. In fact, this model even pushed the previously produced Morris Mini model.
People Couldn't Believe
The Mini's revolution was evident in the motor industry, but it took some time for the British public to get used to it. There was great love, but the Mark 1 model was not adopted overnight. Looking at the current vehicles, Mini was found to be very small. People could not believe that such a small vehicle had 4 passenger seats. This vehicle, which was offered for sale for 500 pounds, made people think, "This quality at this price is not possible in life".
And His Mini Passion Started…
However, the doubts in the minds of the people who bought the vehicle were soon dispelled. The fact that the vehicle has excellent handling and is easy to use has been noticed. It was also an important bonus that the ride was enjoyable. Word of mouth spread about how good the vehicle was, and the manufacturer BMC began to be pleased with it. A total of 116,000 Minis were sold in 1960, and 157,000 in 1961.
Mini made it clear from the day he was born that he would become a cult. Artists and movie stars could not remain indifferent to the Mini and they bought it too. Names like The Beatles, Mick Jagger, Steve McQueen and Bridget Bardot had Minis. Even King Hussein of Jordan, Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Charles were royals who bought the Mini. In other words, everyone, from workers to movie artists, from royalty to football players, could buy and use the Mini.
Mini Cooper's Cooper Enters the Stage
John Cooper was the owner of the automotive company Cooper at that time. Cooper, who also designs race cars, saw good racing car potential in Mini. Cooper was seen as a veteran of auto racing with his innovative approaches. It was a name that attracted attention with its engine design in many fields from the Indianapolis 500 to Formula 1.
Issigonis thought the Mini was an everyday vehicle, while Cooper saw racing potential in it. Issigonis, who was initially reluctant to cooperate with Cooper, was eventually convinced. Cooper told Issigonis his vision for this car, and together they decided to create the Mini Cooper.
The Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper were produced in September 1961. Enriched with a 997 cc engine, 7-inch brake discs, and double carburetors, the vehicle was made to compete in the Group 2 classification.
The 1071 cc S model went into production in 1963. Also, special models with modifications required for different races were produced. In 1962, John Love won the British Saloon Car Championship in a Mini Cooper.
The modest appearance and tight performance of the vehicle also attracted the attention of the police departments. British and Australian police agencies have purchased a substantial amount of Mini Cooper.
Monte Carlo Years
The Mini Cooper S dominated the Monte Carlo rally from 1964-1967. Paddy Hopkirk's fight for first place with this car in 1963-1964 made the car a phenomenon. A year later, Finnish pilot Timo Makinen took the first place in the winter races, passing thousands of kilometers without any problems. Moreover, there were dozens of vehicles that could not finish the race. Mini's super handling stunned everyone.
The following year, only Mini pilots took the first, second and third place podiums, but these three pilots were disqualified due to a problem with the vehicle's lamp. But this scandal was quickly forgotten because in the next races, the error was corrected and the Mini racers took the lead again.
Mini's racing success wasn't just limited to rallying. In the 1960s, the Mini legend was also in question in track racing.
Leyland Years
In 1968, the Leyland firm bought BMC. The new owner of Mini is British Motor Holdings. Leyland was basically a truck and bus manufacturer, but after purchasing the Mini, the Mini was given a makeover under the leadership of Roy Haynes. It should be noted that Roy Haynes was an important designer who previously worked at Ford. Haynes was the person who designed the 1966 Ford Cortina 2. Under his leadership, the Mini Clubman was created.
The 1275 GT model also replaced the 998 cc Cooper. Production of the Cooper S was discontinued in 1971, making it the only racing member of the 1275 GT Mini family. Although the 1275 GT couldn't quite match the performance of the S, its cheaper price made it more attractive.
BMW Takes the Stage
Leyland had many problems, such as internal competition, strikes. When Leyland was on the verge of bankruptcy, the state stepped in and nationalized the firm. Mini and Land Rover are the two remaining brands from this failure of Leyland.
In 1986, Leyland was renamed the Rover Group, and in 1994, the German giant BMW bought this group. “Finally, the sun has set over the British auto industry,” The Independent newspaper wrote that day describes as. BMW disposed of Land Rover within this group, but decided to keep the Mini family.
After 1994, Mini sales began to decline and the situation was not looking good. BMW, on the other hand, recognized the need for a fresh start and decided to remarket the classic Mini as MINI. In 1996, the last model of the original Mini was produced. After this model, which was produced until 2000, the MINI era began.
The new MINI has made a firm entrance into the millennium. The German BMW became the new blood of the British Mini and gradually increased the sales of the vehicle.
BMW Years
The first vehicle produced under BMW ownership in 2001 was the new hatchback MINI. This vehicle, which has a premium price, has jumped the league in terms of design, ride and material quality. John Cooper Works (JCW) was also included in these vehicles, which were launched as Cooper, Cooper S and One.
These vehicles, produced under the auspices of BMW, achieved great success. Growing in volume, these vehicles gave a taste of the classic Mini, and the exterior makeover gave it a modern face. In 2010, the Countryman model was launched. This model, which is the largest member of the Mini family so far, is produced in Austria and has a 4-wheel drive feature.
In 2007 BMW reached 1 million sales and by 2030 the MINI is expected to surpass the classic Mini in terms of sales. The handling of these new vehicles was much better than the previous models, and moreover, they isolated road noise better and the position of the seats provided a more comfortable ride. Using its unique design elements and marketing power, BMW increased the popularity and charisma of the vehicle.