History of the MINI Cooper

The MINI was originally designed by BMC, as well as designer Sir Alec Issigonis in the 1950’s. Due to a fuel shortage, there was a demand for more efficient city cars. The MINI was developed as a result. Originally designed with two doors, the MINI had a 4-cylinder engine by BMC as well as a monocoque shell. Through the 60’s, MINI’s popularity grew. People enjoyed the small, compact design of the MINI, which allowed for it to take on its own distinctive identity as a car.

The MINI Cooper was modeled as a special version of these first-generation MINIs. John Cooper of the Cooper Car Company recognized the potential of a motorsport version of the MINI, and so created the MINI Cooper in 1961. With a sportier Cooper S version, the MINI soon climbed to fame, with impressive representation in the 1967 British film The Italian Job as the vehicles of choice for the getaway cars in a bank heist.

Through the 1970’s and the 1980’s, the MINI Cooper license was sold to Spanish and Italian companies. They continued releasing new models and designs, though they were extremely similar to the original MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S designs, making them more novelties than the sought-after cutting-edge designed vehicles they were originally seen as. In the 1990’s, the Rover Group owned the rights to the MINI, which was then bought out by the German BMW manufacturer. While BMW sold Rover towards the late 1990’s, BMW has retained the MINI rights. As a result, since 2000, BMW has relaunched the MINI line, seeing with that relaunch an uptick in MINI popularity.

While the current MINI has adjusted the original model to include both hatch back and hardtop designs, they’ve also released additional special designs over the years. This new era of MINIs attracts both speed demons and economy drivers alike. The sporty design, maneuverability, and efficiency of MINIs has won over the hearts of many a driver, and has brought with it a resurgence of love for the car brand.
If you love your Mini and only want the best in auto repair or >preventive maintenance, it’s time to give us a call or make your appointment online with Auto Excel in Lexington today! You can find us at 271 Gold Rush Rd Suite 1, Lexington, KY 40503. See you soon!