The History “Mini” Company

The name “MINI” means that it is something miniature. And indeed, this is the name of the car, which is small in size.

The compact small-sized car was in good demand and for almost four decades was produced almost unchanged.

Today, the MINI brand is not forgotten, however, improved models with other "names" have appeared. Perhaps the most popular of them, is produced "under the supervision" of the BMW concern. This is the Cooper model.

Cooper and famous racers

At the origins of the company there were two Coopers - the native British.

Father - John Cooper was a famous race car driver in his homeland. He decided to create his own company. In the middle of the last century, he registered the Cooper Car Company. The company began to create miniature racing cars.

Cooper Jr. - Mike owned a tuning studio that bore the name of senior Cooper. The son embodied the ideas of his father, and created cars.

Cooper compact racing cars could boast of success. Many athletes achieved high results on the Cooper 500 modification.

In 1958 Sir Stirling Moss began the season with a victory. Soon, other racers turned their eyes to the “baby car”.

In the second half of the fifties, the Mini Cooper with a rear engine was in competition along with eminent Italian sports cars Maserati and Ferrari. For Italian racing cars, the engine was installed at the front.

John Cooper successfully performed in numerous rallies on an improved car of his own “Mini Cooper” production.

The most famous driver in Argentina and the only person in his country who managed to become the world champion (five times more) in this sport - Juan Manuel Fangio “traveled” the first-born Cooper of the company, created for racing in Formula 2. 

MINI in the XXI century

The new owner of British facilities producing miniature cars - the BMW concern - decided to create a completely updated car. The prefix “New” was added to the name “Mini”. And the work began.

The new car had to meet the requirements of the time:

-comfortability;

-power;

-capabilities;

-safety.

Both engineers and those who participated in the creation of the Mini “old” model worked on the task.

Joint actions yielded excellent results. The updated "baby car" has not lost the basic features of its predecessor. And, at the same time, it began to move faster, but to “eat” less. In terms of comfort and safety, NewMini could compete with the compact Volkswagen NewBeetle and other "classmates."

In our century, Mini can no longer be considered a car for the inhabitants. Now a prestigious car costs its owners a tidy sum exceeding 10 thousand pounds.

Even more expensive is the sports version of the car - Cooper S, presented to the audience in 2002. For a small car, the Cooper S has a too serious engine with 163 hp.

The retro car was once again restyled in 2010.

Modern "British" German production cars have diesel and gasoline engines rated at 120-220 hp. They are slightly increased in size, acquired adjustable steering wheels and seats, received built-in devices that provide comfort for passengers and the driver.

The automakers’ plans do not include stopping the production of the “toy” little car, which means that it will continue to drive along the roads of different countries for a long time and please those who meet it with its irresistibility.