PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NOW A FEE TO PAY TO GET TO THIS CACHE, AS THE AREA HAS BEEN FENCED OFF AS A CONSERVANCY AS OF 01 JANUARY 2016.
John Cooper was the founder of the Mini Cooper in 1959. The Mini began as an Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor. In 1969 the Mini became its own brand when its sportier versions successfully won the Monte Carlo Rally four times in a row in 1964.
The Mini was made by BMC (British Motor Corporation) and was considered the British equivalent to its German contemporary, the Volkswagen Beetle. BMC works drivers initially saw the Mini as awkward and odd, but after Rauno Aaltonen won the 1963 Alpine Rally in a 1071 Cooper, everyone wanted to drive a Mini.
Issigonis's first design sketch for the Mini was drawn on a napkin in Switzerland. Later on Enzo Ferrari received a specially tuned custom built Mini from Issigonis and Downton.
The record stands at apparently 66 people that fit into a Mini and the record for the longest Mini convoy is 269 cars.
The first person to be born in a Mini was Joanne Westlake.
Issigonis designed the Mini with an emphasis on active safety. When asked about the crash worthiness of the Mini he said "I make my cars with such good brakes, such good steering, that if people get into a crash it´s their own fault". and "I don't design my cars to have accidents". It is generally acknowledged that the Mini was designed with excellent handling characteristics. Amazing how times have changed!
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