Issigonis' friend John Cooper, owner of the Cooper Car Company and Formula 1 Champion and rally driver in 1959 and 1960, saw the potential of the little car, and after some experimentation and testing, the two men collaborated to create a nimble, economical, and inexpensive car. The Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper debuted in September 1961.
The original 848cc engine from the Morris Mini-Minor was increased to 997 cc, boosting power from 34 bhp to 55 bhp (25 to 41 kW). The car featured a racing-tuned engine, double SU carburetors, and disc brakes, uncommon at the time in a small car. 1,000 of this iteration were commissioned by management, intended for, and designed to meet the homologation rules of, Group 2 rally racing. The 997 engine was replaced by a shorter stroke 998 cc unit in 1964. By the time production of the Cooper model ended in 1967, 12,274 of these popular cars had been sold to the public. A more powerful Mini Cooper, dubbed the "S", was developed in tandem and released in 1963. Featuring a 1071 cc engine and larger disc brakes, 4,030 Cooper S's were produced and sold until the 1071 model was deleted in August, 1964. Cooper also produced two models specifically for circuit racing, rated at 970cc and a 1275cc, both of which were also offered to the public. The smaller engine model was not well received and only 961 were built with 970cc engines until the model was discontinued in April 1965.
MINI Cooper Convertible
Buy New & Used Mini Convertible car Mini Cars Spec, Price & Road Test
www.evo.co.uk/Mini_car_review
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Cooper and Cooper S
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Mini Mk2
Launched in 1967 the Mini Mk II introduced several improvements across the Mini range. A new squarer shaped grille distinguished the new models from the front, new rear lamps and a larger rear window were also instant recognition points.
Mechanically little changed, although a larger 998cc engine now appeared alongside the 848cc A-series. The Mk II lasted only 2 years when the wind-up window Mk III appeared in 1969 also bringing to an end the separate Austin / Morris name badges.
MK1 Mini
MK1 Mini (1959–1967) was the first version of British Motor Corporation's Mini. Characterised by its sliding windows, external door hinges and moustache grill. In England the MK1 was produced between 1959 and 1967.
Monday, 2 July 2007
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