The year 1956 was a time when the British automakers faced a major slump on the car sales on account of the fuel shortage as a resultant of the Suez Crisis, and the rise of the German Bubble cars.To fight off the fall in the business, Leonard Lord, the then Chairman of the British Motor Corporation approached Alec Issigonis to design a four-seater, BMC-powered small car.
In 1955, Sir Leonard Lord, then ranking member of the British Motor Corporation (BMC), asked Alec Issigonis, Lam, and Laurence Pomeroy design a new economy car, due to the crisis of Suez Canal. Their research department is located at Longbridge. The project code for Austin is ADO15 Drawing Office project number 15. Each pilot of a small team, and the realization of 3 concepts, the winning design will be that of Alec Issigonis, who was assisted by Chris Kingham and Jack Daniels. The prototype will be produced only after 8 months of study and will be launched in October 1957. The first vehicle has an engine with the fan right side, 948 cc. It reached a speed of 145 km / h. At the time the competition has taken a very different choice, namely the "just back" engine and propulsion, the 3 best selling vehicles, namely the Volkswagen Beetle, the Fiat 500 and Renault Dauphine. However, Alec Issigonis, who appreciated the Citroen and their ideas, choose an orientation "just before". The choice of engine for Morris Minor, is done to avoid having to redesign it. The revolution will put a gearbox under the engine in transverse position. With the choice of putting 10 inch wheels, also innovative solution, the vehicle spends 80% of its length to accommodate the occupants and their luggage.
The turbocharged motoring icon, with double the doors. Powered by a MINI TwinPower turbo engine developed with the BMW Group, this MINI Hardtop is loaded with premium features, our world-famous feistiness, and is built for sharing. Or for having a little more MINI all to yourself.
The turbocharged motoring icon, with double the doors. Powered by a MINI TwinPower turbo engine developed with the BMW Group, this MINI Hardtop is loaded with premium features, our world-famous feistiness, and is built for sharing. Or for having a little more MINI all to yourself.
The turbocharged motoring icon, with double the doors. Powered by a MINI TwinPower turbo engine developed with the BMW Group, this MINI Hardtop is loaded with premium features, our world-famous feistiness, and is built for sharing. Or for having a little more MINI all to yourself.