Mini is considered to be the most well-liked British car and was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation from 1959 to 2000. Being a star of the 60s, the car was a benchmark for many other car manufacturers during its time. The Mini was also ranked second as the most significant car of the past century in an international poll. Sir Alec Issigonis is credited for the wonder design of this revolutionary car.

The Mini Seven had a water cooled engine that was placed transversely along with four cylinders. The car was different from its predecessors as it had a four speed transmission and a front wheel drive. It also came with lubricated engine oil. This paved the way for other cars that were produced since 1970 as they all used the same configuration.

The car retained the engine mounted fan by having the radiator placed on the left pat of the car. This helped a great deal in saving the vehicle length. The Suspension system of the Mini Seven had compact rubber cones and was designed at Moulton Development Limited by Alex Moulton. Although this made the car ride a little bumpier but it also gave it a go kart like handling which really increased the popularity of the car.

The hinged boot lid increased the luggage space of the car. The various technical modifications made to the car reduced the dimensions but helped in increasing the overall space for the driver and luggage. The 848cc engine gave the car a fair speed of 72mph. the registration of the design by Rover Group as trademark in 1990s explains the level of popularity which the car was able to manage.

World War II had broken the back of British car industry. The conflict had left the manufacturers strained to the breaking point. The silver lining came with Nuffield Motors and Austin joining hands to create British Motor Corporation in 1952. However, the sales of the British Motor Corporation were on a decline because of the German imports. This led Leonard Lord to turn to Alec Issigonis.

Alec who had the experience of variety of engineering projects stunned everybody with the Morris Minor. He did a brilliant job on the suspension of the car apart from his work on the 14-inch wheels that was considered very small keeping in view the other cars of that era. Although being small in size, the car could take double its load and provided a comfortable ride. Alec used rubber cones so that the car could accept the load variation parameters. Alec also situated the engine in a unique way which has now become very conventional. The car was just 120 inches long with the size of the engine compartment being just 18 inches.

As the launch of the car was being planned, it was rumored that the Morris dealer would not get a mention. The car was later introduced with both Austin and Morris versions. Though the car was the cheapest one available in the UK, its reputation exceeded its price. The reputation of the car was further enhanced after John Cooper put forward the proposal to fit the Mini with the Formula Junior engine.

The Mini, which is considered to be the most accepted British made car, was an icon of the 1960s. Sir Alec Issigonis is credited for designing this wonderful two door car for the British Motor Corporation (BMC). It was manufactured by the BMC from 1959 to 2000. The car was replaced by the New Mini in the year 2001.

The Suez crisis which led to reduction in oil supplies in 1956 brought about the Mini to counter the oil crisis. The Mini had a four cylinder water cooled engine and a front wheel drive. The engine of the car was mounted diagonally which was a departure from the traditional way. To retain the engine mounted fan, the radiator of the car was fitted at the left side of the car. Although this meant that the radiator would receive the hot air, the location helped in saving precious vehicle length.

Alex Moulton designed the suspension system of the Mini at Moulton development Limited. Instead of using the usual springs, he used compact rubber cones which gave the car rigidity for better handling. Dunlop got the initial contract to develop the ten-inch wheels specified for the car. The car had sliding windows in the door and this design increased the storage capacity of the car. The number plates on the earlier cars were hinged and as a result they remained visible even when the car’s boot lid was open.

The Mini Cooper and the Cooper S were the sportier version of the Mini and were very successful as rally cars. They have the distinction of winning the Monte Carlo Rally on three occasions.