As soon as the second half of 2014 MINIs will once again be made in the Netherlands. To mark the occasion BMW is sponsoring the restoration of a 1959 Mini originally assembled at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland. We’ll be talking more about MINI’s production plans and how they will be tweaked for the introduction of the 3rd generation later this year.
Official Release: Today VDL Nedcar employees started the restoration of one of the first Dutch Minis. This classic Mini – one of the oldest Minis in the world – was assembled in 1959 at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland and is now being completely rebuilt by a team of five VDL Nedcar employees. continued →
Official news from MINI: Hall 12 will once again play host to BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce at the Techno Classica show held in Essen from 10 – 14 April 2013. The world’s largest classic vehicle exhibition is marking its 25-year anniversary this year, and BMW Group Classic – custodian of the BMW Group heritage – will be adding extra fizz to the occasion with a handful of landmarks of its own. Indeed, the 2013 edition of Techno Classica sees the company in the midst of celebrations marking 90 years of BMW Motorrad, 50 years of the Mini Cooper S, 40 years of the BMW 3.0 CSL in motor sport and 80 years of the BMW “double-kidney” front grille. continued →
Official release: Rankings, statistics and surveys enjoy a strong tradition in Great Britain, the home of MINI. The British Science Association has just opened a major poll inviting internet users to vote online for the most important and influential innovation of the last century in the field of science and technology. Among the nominees are the classic Mini, the revolutionary small car which was created by Alec Issigonis in 1959 and would have an enduring impact on car design. continued →
This from the UK, Autocar has had a bit of fun pitting the new MINI JCW GP against a bonkers little kit Mini made out of racing bits and half a motorcycle. While one could hardly consider this a legitimate “comparison” it is a fun contrast between the two extremes of a track-only Mini mongrel and MINI’s self-described halo car. Video after the jump.
As MINI gears up to release the entirely new MINI Cooper and Cooper S in early autumn it’s time for a look back and where the model has come from. The idea, hatched by brilliant Formula One designer John Cooper, to fuel the agile small car with an extra hit of performance and a car for the road and track has lost none of its appeal. But the Cooper has never been about horsepower, as a comparison between the classic Mini and its two successors resoundingly proves. The key here is the basic principle of the creative use of space, combined with the inimitable go-kart feeling that runs like a thread through the three generations.
Whether your a classic, R50/53 or a R56 fan, it’s hard to argue with the incredible success of the little car from the UK or the experience behind the wheel.
Think your MINI sounds mean? Check out this race-setup classic Mini, “Old Red” taking its first steps forward in nearly 30 years. This car belongs to a chap called Gary Snyder and it looks like he’s prepping it for competition in the VSCR series. This story came to us from a very cool car blog, The Chicane. Check them out.
The original Mini was revolutionary on a number of fronts. But one that is often forgotten is the unique rubber springs used on the car. The combination of conical rubber springs and small wheels was one of the many innovative developments which allowed design Alec Issigonis to achieve the Mini’s small overall size. And the man who created it, Dr. Alex Moulton, went on to work designing both bicycle and automotive suspensions to great acclaim. continued →
1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Hatch R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Hatch 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: Hatch R57: Convertible R58: Coupe R59: Roadster R60: MINI Crossover R61: MINI Crossover Coupe 3rd Gen MINI F55: Clubman F56: Hatch F57: Convertible F60: MINI Crossover F62: Traveller
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Sections: Classic Mini, Official News May 7th, 2013 No Comments 
