Despite the Mini’s motorsports chops and unwavering fandom, the little car was actually born of necessity. Thanks to the 1956–’57 Suez Crisis, the British Motor Corporation simply needed a fuel-efficient car-and they needed it stat. Alec Issigonis, who had already crafted the successful Morris Minor, was given the task.
His creation was the revolutionary Mini. A transversely mounted engine and …
First new car I owned was a 69 Mini, not a Cooper, but still a hell of a lot of fun. Thing was an autocross killer, nobody else had one and it won every event I entered with it. Biggest problem I had with it was keeping CV joints in it. You see, since there were zero front wheel drive cars in the rural area where I lived all my mates got huge joy out of seeing the front tires smoke. So I did it. Lots. And wore out and broke lots of CV joints. It's also surprising the things you can do in a mini when you're a young, testosterone fueled lad and know a lot of, shall we say, willing, women. Fun times!
I had an original 1964 wolseley hornet .I loved that car despite it's tiny 1000cc 40 hp engine and loud transmission .So much fun , so unique ,and yes right hand drive ! my ex wife made me sell it and i regret it to this day .I kept some pictures .on my desk so I can get misty while taking a break at my office lol maroon, white top, gray leather interior . i need a tissue......
I have a 67 Morris Cooper 1000 MkII. I bought it the year I graduated from High School back in 1971. I have had it now for over 50 years. It had 16,000 miles on it when I bought it and now has about 65,000. It is not a restored car and is pretty much original except for the wheels,tyres and added fender flares.
Our Mini has been driven as a year round car for it's first 10 years of our ownership and during that time it was driven on SCCA-TSD rallies and autocrossed, never letting us down! Sorry Lucas electric nay-sayers, but it has the original generator,regulator,starter, wiring and the original SU fuel pump. And fails to have any electrical problems!
My wife and I drove it 1000 miles on our Honeymoon thru Ontario. My first born, daughter, came home from the hospital in it. Both of our kids, when very young, pretended to drive in it, playing "road trip". Some years later they learned how to drive using it. It was used as their wedding limousine and has now been introduced to their kids, my grandchildren, who also want to pretend drive in it! Many great memories!
I have had many (no pun intended) offers to sell the car, but besides being a family heirloom it is a member of our family and faithful old friend! Everytime I drive the car I cannot help but have a big SMILE on my face when I turn the key off! Most cars come and go, passing thru our lives as and object of transportation. Our Mini has truely been more than transportation and the memories my family have had with it makes it a true treasure of a car!
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