Classic Mini: Essential Transport

Voted the second most influential car of the 20th century after the Model T Ford in 1999, the original Mini – as Sir Alec Issigonis' classic design of 1959 inevitably became known – was a car that helped to define an era. In an age when London was swinging, when Carnaby Street and the King's Road in Chelsea were perceived as the style capital of the world, the Mini was the last word in 'cool' motoring. Pictured with the stars of the age, including the designer Mary Quant, the car was to be successful in motor sport and, as one of the last great products of British designed engineering. In production for more than 50 years, by which stage almost 5.4 million of the model in its various guises had been made worldwide, the original Mini was to be supplanted in 2000 by a newer and larger model – the MINI – produced, (following the takeover of Rover Group) by the German company BMW. This is the story of the Mini and MINI in its various guises throughout its fascinating history.