With its engine fitted transversely, the 1959 Mini was a small revolution. In 1961, Alec Issigonis reinforced the historic role of its creation through the intervention of his friend John Cooper who offered a sports version to the Mini: the output increased from 34 to 55 hp. The first Cooper, here with a black bonnet, is recognizable thanks to its doubled bumpers on each side of the front.

The coachbuilder Touring disappeared in 1966. But private investors re-launched the brand in 2006, and respect rather well the spirit of the original company. Touring, which designed the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (reproduced by Matrix), also imagined this roadster based on the Mini. Unveiled at the 2014 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Superleggera Vision is for now a concept car.

Alec Issigonis, the designer of the Mini released in 1959, boosted its small car in 1961 thanks to his friend John Cooper, who increased the power from 34 to 55 hp. In 1963, this Cooper S, developing 70 hp, was launched. The front grille we can see here appeared in 1967 under the name Morris, one of the two brands that distributed the model with Austin, before Mini became a brand in 1969.

In February 1965, this millionth Mini rolled out of the assembly line. Just after the 999,999th one, which was red, and before a blue one. The Mini, launched in 1959, revolutionized the world of small cars with its transverse engine, allowing to gain a lot of space. Up to 5.3 million units were produced until year 2000.

With its engine fitted transversely, the 1959 Mini was a small revolution. In 1961, Alec Issigonis reinforced the historic role of its creation through the intervention of his friend John Cooper who offered a sports version to the Mini: the output increased from 34 to 55 hp. The first Cooper, here with a white roof, is recognizable thanks to its doubled bumpers on each side of the front.

With its engine fitted transversely, the 1959 Mini was a small revolution. In 1961, Alec Issigonis reinforced the historic role of its creation through the intervention of his friend John Cooper who offered a sports version to the Mini: the output increased from 34 to 55 hp. The first Cooper, here with a white roof, is recognizable thanks to its doubled bumpers on each side of the front.

We are here at the beginning of the career of the first, the "true" Mini. Morris and Austin (where it was called Seven) simultaneously released it. Designed by Alec Issigonis, this 3.05 meter/120 in.-long Mini was sensational. Its lines were absolutely cute, and the architecture of this front wheel-drive car was also very original: the engine was fitted transversely.

The commercial version of the original 1959 Mini was launched in 1960. This small panel station wagon, based on a longer wheelbase, was called Van. The front grille was deprived of chrome. The payload was a quarter of a ton, and in 1978, Austin renamed this version Mini 95, referring to the gross laden weight (0.95 ton). However, people continued to call it Van.

In 1980, the Metro was supposed to succeed the Mini. But the latter resisted and even survived its alleged descendant. In 1986, the Mini was 27 years old and a limited series to 2,500 units called Piccadilly was launched. Its colour was "Cashmere Metallic Gold" and it was mainly intended for the UK, although it was also available in France and Japan.

When BMW released the new Mini in 2001, the German group had probably no idea how successful this model would be. If the Cooper versions are the most popular, the basic version One provides access to the range for an almost reasonable price. Here we have a customised model, with white wheel rims and a chequered roof. The bonnet can open, which is rare on Minichamps miniature cars.