Now that the 'New' Mini has been about for a few years it almost defines the 'Mini' look, so that when one does see an original 'real' Mini on the road it now looks tiny and quaint.
I always thought of the new Mini as a bit of a pastiche and wondered what Sir Alec Issigonis would have thought of it.
I found a photo on the net that indicates he might well have approved. This photo shows that the original Mini styling was cribbed from a larger BMC design that didn't get near to production, a rear-drive saloon!!!
Take a look -
www.austin-rover.co.uk/images/ado17dev_03.jpg
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When the new Mini came out I did not like it at all, since it did not carry the character of the orginal mini for me. The original Mini was small, cheap and cheerfull. What is the new Mini??? I am glad of your link since the New mini looks just like a modern timeless update of the car in the photo.
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A couple of days ago I drove behind an orginal D plate mini that was in immaculate condition. It certainly was small. Most modern small cars seem to be bloated by comparison - is that people are getting a lot bigger?
I remember a neighbour having one of the original minis - sliding front windows, corded door release and no petrol gauge. My Mother like the size and a few years later bought one. They certainly were a revolutionary cars in their time, I doubt if we shall see so many innovations in any new car in the future.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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"Most modern small cars seem to be bloated by comparison"
The latest Polo is larger than the Mk1 Golf - peope are larger, safety systems also take up space.
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I overtook a Mini Estate on a bypass the other week and it looked far too fragile to be there. I'd be terrifed.
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I have the 2005 biography of Issigonis, written by the historian who works for the National Motor Heritage Centre (or something like that).
Issigonis was a forthright fellow who had his own views on how cars should be designed and driven and would brook no dissent in the ranks. Many of his designs are effectively scaled up versions of the original Mini.
Mind you he was treated badly by Rover Group at the end of his life. He had a small pension for life and when the Canadian Graham Day took over, Issigonis wrote to Day to make a comment about the design of modern cars and how they were all wrong. Day, not knowing anything about Sir Alec stopped his pension without warning. He died with 18 months.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Mind you he was treated badly by Rover Group at the end of his life. He had a small pension for life and when the Canadian Graham Day took over, Issigonis wrote to Day to make a comment about the design of modern cars and how they were all wrong. Day, not knowing anything about Sir Alec stopped his pension without warning. He died with 18 months. -- Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
I'm not disputing what you or the author(?) of your book says, nevertheless, I'm astonished that any company (even back then) can stop an (ex)employee's pension, simply because they disagree with the company's current policy and happen to express it.
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I'm also astonished that nobody in the command chain (should this story by true) stood up and pointed out who Issigonis was?
After all, Day wouldn't have been able to do such a thing by his own hand, someone else would have had to do the dirty work, surely?
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Pension is probably the wrong word - more likely to be an 'honourarium'.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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The original mini was a paragon of space efficiency
Huge door pockets, space under seats for bags, the rear boot lid hung down to load things onto....
Purity of deign and thought got ruined by wind up windows, proper door handles, loads of things that gobbled up the interior space.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I've been playing with our Mini over the weekend it's great fun to drive. We ran a new MINI Cooper for a couple of years and ended up chopping it in for the Fabia. I don't really regret the decision, for so many reasons for us, the Fabia is a much better car. It would be nice to have the Cooper now and again for a blast around the countryside, but that's its only advantage.
The original Mini feels very dated now but that is part of its charm. The interesting thing is how many heads it turns (ours is an immaculate C reg Mayfair in red) and how well people generally treat you on the roads. Took it over to Preston at the weekend on the M62, M60, M61, M6 and at a steady 56, keeping up with the lorries, I saw lots of road rage happening around me, but none directed at us - in fact, we spend a lot of time in the Mini waving to children (and grown up children!) who are beaming when they see the car.
The only downside is the feeling not being at all safe. Got out of the Mini into the C4 and you realise just how much cars have progressed - really wouldn't want to have a bump in the Mini.
However, it changes the way you drive - if everyone on the road was driving a car that felt the same way, the roads would be a calmer, safer and less aggressive place to be. Inverse of the 4x4/Wallywagon effect.
The new MINI is a great car, great to drive and feels quick and safe. But it doesn't have the same spirit as the original.
Lee -- You don\'t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle
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My Grandma had a 1961 Mini (badged Austin Seven). I drove it quite a lot in my youth and she gave it to me when she gave up driving. Unfortunately it needed work for its next MOT and I didn't have the money at the time so I never used it once it was 'mine'.
Re: safety - old minis do look vulnerable but I think they would still have been capable od demolishing the much bigger but lighter Citroen 2CV. These two cars symbolise different approaches to economy motoring.
Mini: How can we re-arrange the components of a normal car to minimise its size while still giving adequate space?
2CV: How can we make an approximation to a normal small car using the most minimal technology?
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I was at the Enginuity museum at Ironbridge a few weeks ago. They have a sectioned (cut lengthways, not totally mad) original mini. It showed just how well packaged the car was - and how little crash protection there was!
Chris M
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I guess it wasn't the MINI estate:
www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/fotoshows/mini_wa...m
Must say, the design study looks awful.
BIG
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I'm pretty sure they're going to build a traveller. There's also a major facelift/revision at the end of the year so hopefully that'll knacker the values of the older ones so I can indulge myself with one as a high days and holidays car.
Lee -- You don\'t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle
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Yep, thought so :
www.mini2.com/article343-mini-concept-travelling-i...l
How's this for rubbish nonsense marketing babble :
"...increased functionality in order to appeal to the distinctively experience-oriented and active MINI customer."
Am I experience oriented? Sounds great.
Lee -- You don\'t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle
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