Anybody remember the small car with the go-kart like handling that dominated the Monte Carlo Rally for some time back in 1960's?
Yeah. The Mini Cooper.
Champion of the Monte Carlo Rally for year 1964, 1965, disqualified in year 1966(Illegal headlamp issues) but came back and took the pole position in year 1967 again.
Small, light, and powerful, the mini's potential on the tracks was spotted by John Cooper. John Cooper then worked together with Sir Alec Issigonis producing a tuned up version of the morris mini-minor, called the Mini Cooper. The original 848cc engine was increased to 997cc, boosting the horsepower from 34bhp to 55bhp. Fitted with a close ratio gearbox and front disc brakes, the mini was set for the tracks. In 1963 the more powerful version of the mini, called the Cooper 'S' was born with a more powerful 1071cc engine and servo assisted disc brakes.
Small, light, and powerful, the mini's potential on the tracks was spotted by John Cooper. John Cooper then worked together with Sir Alec Issigonis producing a tuned up version of the morris mini-minor, called the Mini Cooper. The original 848cc engine was increased to 997cc, boosting the horsepower from 34bhp to 55bhp. Fitted with a close ratio gearbox and front disc brakes, the mini was set for the tracks. In 1963 the more powerful version of the mini, called the Cooper 'S' was born with a more powerful 1071cc engine and servo assisted disc brakes.
The first Mini is designed by Sir Alec Issigonis in year 1959 and was manufactured by BMC at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in the United Kingdom. Originally designed for the fuel shortage at that time, Sir Alec Issigonis designed the mini to be small and cheap, with maximised space in a small dimension. The transversely mounted, front wheel drive engine was one of it's kind at its time. Instead of conventional springs, compact rubber cones were used as suspensions for the Mini. The result: Rigid but bumpy ride. With the wheel pushed out of the corner of the car, the famous go-kart like handling of the mini was created.
MK I 1950-1967:
The first version of the mini was market under 2 of BMC's names: Austin and Morris. Austin sold the car as Austin se7en (later changed to Austin Mini in year 1962) while Morris sold the car as Morris Mini-Minor.
The suspension was changed from rubber cones to hydrolastic system in year 1964. The ride became more comfortable but car enthusiasts claimed that it spoiled the go-kart like handling of the mini.
models:
-Morris Mini-Minor Super and Austin Se7en Super
-Morris Mini Cooper and Austin Mini Cooper 997cc 55bhp
-Austin Mini Cooper 1071 S and Morris Mini Cooper 1071 S 70bhp
-Austin and Morris Mini Cooper 998
-Mini-Cooper 970 S
-Mini-Cooper 1275 S 76bhp
Mk II 1967-1969:
Some facelift were done with a new front grille, larger rear windows and some other cosmetic changes.
models:
-Austin Mini 850,1000 ,Cooper 998 and Cooper 1275 S
-Morris Mini 850, 850 SDL, 1000SDL, Cooper 998 and Cooper 1275S
Oct 1969 Austin and Morris merged the mini into one instead of two companies. The mini's were sold as the mini 850,1000, Clubman, Cooper S and 1275 GT
The MK II was featured in "The Italian Job in year 1969 and made a big hit with stunts that includes running down stairways and driving through storm drains.
sourceMk III- above 1970 - 2000:
upgrades continued to be done on the newer minis, lager doors, and cosmetic changes. The hydrolastic suspension system was changed back to the rubber suspensions in 1971 to restore its original handling capabilities and also to save production cost and weight of the car.
The production of Mini's stopped in year 2000 and was taken into production again in the year 2001 by BMW with the Mini One, Mini One/D, Mini cooper and Mini cooper S
Reference:
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini
-http://www.zerotohundred.com (ZTH mini club)
-http://www.motorsportscenter.com/printer_24.shtml
Will blog about the new mini's soon, but that's it for now people. Enjoy your weekend!PS: This post WAS created specially for a certain someone. You know who you are ;)
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