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1961
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The
Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet are identical small luxurious
Minis, with traditional grilles and an extented boot with tiny
fins either side. F1 car constructor John Cooper realises Mini
has incredible handling and roadholding. He ties up a deal with
BMC to make 1000 Mini Coopers so it can qualify for production
car races. It goes on sale with a power hike to 55bhp from bored-out
977cc, and tiny disc brakes.
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1962
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A
Mini Cooper wins Holland's Tulip Rally, driven by Stirling Moss's
sister Pat. Rauno Aaltonen is running second in the Monte Carlo
Rally, until his Cooper flips over.
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1963
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Even
hotter Mini Cooper S has 70bhp from 1071cc, can hit 100mph and
has greased-lightening accelleration. Paddy Hopkirk powers one
to a Tour de France win. Peter Sellers has his Cooper customised
with wickerwork painted on the side. Stars from Margot Fonteyn
to Ringo Starr join the trend as the Mini becomes hip.
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Small
is beautiful. The Mini. Page 2 of 6
| The
doors are opened with a leather cord. This reduces costs,
according to BMC, In the 1973 and 1991 models, Porsche adopts
the same system, but then to reduce weight. But for all
the positive reactions, the new buyer also encouters a number
a problems. There is lots of ciritisism about the way the
car leaves the factory. "The finishing is poor",
concluded Autocar in early 1960. Carpets are laying all
over the place, the sliding windows jam and the opening
of the doors using cords is too simple. The Mini also doesn't
like rain; the ignition malfunctions and the occupants are
often with their feet in water. This leaking was never noticed,
as the Mini was always tested in good weather.
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John Cooper and Alec Issigonis
Issigonis
later admitted this leaking was due to him designing the
floorpanels the wrong way round. The Mini also likes oil,
lots of it.
The Mini is sold in the USA, but flops. Sales in Europe
are behind expectations the first year. The consumer still
has to get accustomed to this new design, with all it's
features that are so different to wat is around in those
days. Only 20.000 are produced the first year. The price
is 496 pounds, which is a steal. In 1960, things are slightly
better. Every day, 400 Minis roll off the assembly line.
A 100.000 are sold that year, with a 100% production increase
the next year. Especially the UK discovers the Mini. VIPS
see it a statusmodel, and this catches on to the ordinairy
public.
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Sellers buys one, so do the
Beatles , Charles Aznavour, King Hussain of Jordania,
Dudley Moore and Steve McQueen. Queen Elizabeth is pictured
sitting in one, as she is chauffeured by Issigonis for a
testdrive. Issigonis builds a special Mini for Enzo Ferrari,
but he sends it back. The steeringwheel is on the wrong
side, says the Italian. Another one is sent to him and he
buys another two. When asked what he thinks about the Mini
he replies: "I race it through the mountains".
Apart from this status-aspect, there are also practical
reasons for buying it. The Mini is very fuel-efficient,
it's easy to park and steers well. And the ratio betweens
it's size and interior-space is remarkable.
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it's sportive character is the best seller. It has a topspeed
of 115km, not bad for a car with 34bhp. Almost straight
after the introduction of the Mini, tuning-companies are
jumping on it. Issigonis doesn't like it, 34bhp is more
than enough for a 600 kilo car he thinks. But a year after
the introduction, the Mini Cooper enters the market. This
is the breakthrough for the Mini. Racecar designer John
Cooper has upgraded the engine to 55bhp. The 997cc engine
gets the Mini to a topspeed of 140 km. The Mini has miniature
discbrakes which have been specially designed for Cooper
by Lockheed. Extra dials and a different colorscheme provide
the finishing touch. BMC hopes to sell a 1000. They sell
over 150.000. |
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1964
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The
Mini Moke goes on sale. Intended as a field car that can be
parachuted to a war zone, the Army rejects it due to lack of
ground clearance. But it is a cheap, open, four seater fun car.
The same Cooper S that Hopkirk took to victory on the Tour de
France wins the Monte Carlo Rally. All Minis get Moulton's liquid-filled
Hydrolastic suspension to improve ride, and switches are moved
because you can't reach them once belted in.
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1965
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Second
Monte Carlo Rally win for the Mini, this times it's Timo Makinen.
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1966
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Timo
Makinen and Paul Easter are disqualified from what would have
been the Cooper S's third Monte Carlo victory for having non-regulation
heaslam setting.
Win number three comes in 1967.
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