A full documentary revealing the original Mini's forward thinking design at the time and also where the future of MINI is going, this video was from the year 2003.
When buying my first car, I considered a number of manufacturers and brands. After a test drive of a Gen2 New MINI (R56), I was instantly attracted to the design and driver experience. After some research, I found the Gen1 New MINI (R53) to be even more exciting with its supercharger whine. Later, I have started loving the Classic MINI as well, and hope to get one some day. But rather than being angry at "ze Germans", I would like to thank BMW for beliving in MINI and keeping it alive. The design of the R53 is fantastic. There is room enough for both the Classic and the New MINI in the world.
What a great history the original Morris Cooper and Morris Cooper S had. Not only winning Euro Rally Championships but also great results on the track. Here in Australia the Cooper S took out the first nine placings in the 1966 famous Bathurst 500 (now Bathurst 1000). That's both outright places and Class C places.
Funfact about the classic mini. The devision (est 1975) that made the bodies became an independent company after it was acquired from bmw in 2001. They still make Classic mini shells to this day with the same jig you see in the video. The company is called british motor heritage (not sponsored)
Essentially an earlier composite of the 4-door saloon (on Minivan wheelbase), Barrel Car, Clubman Hatchback and Minki-I/II prototypes, which amongst other things would less labor intensive to build feature Hydragas and a fully de-seamed body as well as an end-on 5-speed transmission as a result of being widened and lengthened by 2-inches (via Minki-II). Likely powered by thoroughly updated Overhead Cam A-Series engines, which thanks to the Mini being significantly improved beforehand in the early-1970s is (like the Metro) easily capable of later switching to 4-cylinder K-Series engines by the mid/late-80s. Without resorting to the extra costs of developing a 3-cylinder K-Series (Minki-I) or suddenly creating a benchmark prototype of a car that by then should have been updated and produced as such decades ago (Minki-I/II). Sure there is the 9X prototype though short of BMC being flushed with cash to afford developing new clean sheet designs or Britain having its own 4-wheeler Microcar or Kei Car class above the 3-wheelers (yet limited by engine size), cannot see how the 9X project can be justified in terms of costs over significantly updating the existing Classic Mini.
the last Minis were badged Rover and the last official day was the 4th of October 2000. Austin-Morris became BMC, then Leyland over the years. Though in reality the last Mini was built in the June of 2000, but the official ceremony was in October. I know as I was there.
It couldnt have been from the year 2000 because the modern mini was placed into the showrooms in 2001 and the narrator says that the modern mini was given the best car of the year award in 2003! Great video tho thanks man!
One of the biggest mistakes that they ever did by selling to BMW . The New Minis are way To Expensive and they are way to high tech for a classic icon that there reputation is now Ruined thanks to BTW.
The classic Mini was never going to continue, regardless of who owned the brand. The car didn't meet any of the crash impact regulations around the world, nor would it have been possible to change the design to maintain the original car, or its character. For me the name Mini ended on the 4th of October 2000 when the last Mini officially rolled off the line in Longbridge. The MINI is a different car for a different market.
I am a MINI fan, I had my first mini in 1979 an 850. J registered 1971. SO on to 2017 I now own a 1971 COOPER S and a 2004 MINI COOPER S R53, the first and last of the real mini's. From 2006 BMW lost all sense of reality, the mini has become fat and ugly powered by peugeot. I deal in classic cars and if any of you guys are looking for an addition to your MINI classic, buy a MINI R53 Cooper S, prices are already rising. A Good R53 will be more expensive than a R56.
The new mini a 100% better german design quality engineering only a fool would think otherwise some of the comments are ludicrous so say the least. Little wonder there is no British car industy left!!!!
the original MINI had a de-stroked Chrysler engine in it, later models run the PSA group block as found in most of the European Hot hatches. BMW doesn't actually build an engine for these cars.
When buying my first car, I considered a number of manufacturers and brands. After a test drive of a Gen2 New MINI (R56), I was instantly attracted to the design and driver experience. After some research, I found the Gen1 New MINI (R53) to be even more exciting with its supercharger whine. Later, I have started loving the Classic MINI as well, and hope to get one some day. But rather than being angry at "ze Germans", I would like to thank BMW for beliving in MINI and keeping it alive. The design of the R53 is fantastic. There is room enough for both the Classic and the New MINI in the world.
I'm about to trade my 2004 R53 for a JCW R57 convertible in BRG. I am more than excited by what I think will be the ultimate upgrade.
What a great history the original Morris Cooper and Morris Cooper S had. Not only winning Euro Rally Championships but also great results on the track. Here in Australia the Cooper S took out the first nine placings in the 1966 famous Bathurst 500 (now Bathurst 1000). That's both outright places and Class C places.
The Morris Mini is as Iconic as the Model T. It's a benchmark in design that lives today in most FWD cars
The Mini is one of my favourite cars of all time!
@@sperlongatours yes
@@sglenny001 are you having a laugh. There is not a car on this planet to match the original mini, never has been, never will be.
@@jasonthorndike1019 fiat 500
Ford model t
@@sglenny001 you've just proved I was right if that's all you can come up with.
@@jasonthorndike1019 why
Makes me want to go to Italy and heist a shipment of gold
Like in The Italian Job.
BigFanofCars1990
no
Same
Funfact about the classic mini. The devision (est 1975) that made the bodies became an independent company after it was acquired from bmw in 2001. They still make Classic mini shells to this day with the same jig you see in the video.
The company is called british motor heritage (not sponsored)
The Mini S in Electric Blue looks exactly like my 2004 R53 with only minor differences.....
Awesome car.....
LET'S MOTOR!
i absolutely love my mini cooper!
An iconic classic! Awesome!
The old design's suitable for rights hand drive. It's been iconic car from British. Changed it, it will like you drives ordinary car.😊
Awesome!
Prefer the original Mini though much should have been done to update and improve it over the course of its production run.
Essentially an earlier composite of the 4-door saloon (on Minivan wheelbase), Barrel Car, Clubman Hatchback and Minki-I/II prototypes, which amongst other things would less labor intensive to build feature Hydragas and a fully de-seamed body as well as an end-on 5-speed transmission as a result of being widened and lengthened by 2-inches (via Minki-II).
Likely powered by thoroughly updated Overhead Cam A-Series engines, which thanks to the Mini being significantly improved beforehand in the early-1970s is (like the Metro) easily capable of later switching to 4-cylinder K-Series engines by the mid/late-80s. Without resorting to the extra costs of developing a 3-cylinder K-Series (Minki-I) or suddenly creating a benchmark prototype of a car that by then should have been updated and produced as such decades ago (Minki-I/II).
Sure there is the 9X prototype though short of BMC being flushed with cash to afford developing new clean sheet designs or Britain having its own 4-wheeler Microcar or Kei Car class above the 3-wheelers (yet limited by engine size), cannot see how the 9X project can be justified in terms of costs over significantly updating the existing Classic Mini.
The old one is well good
The car at 2.22 is a Morris Oxford Series MO, not a Morris Minor. Just saying.
Yes I spotted that too
Still don't like the new Mini. It's not a Mini, it's a fatty.
should call it the Maxi !!!!
That would be the new Clubman, the Bini instead being the Midi (albeit better off being modeled upon ADO16 then the original Mini).
Old minis are best.
Haha, I call mine a Jumbo shrimp. Compared to all the other cars in the parking lot in America it's still pretty Mini.
Put a Honda K engine in one of these and you have a formidable hatch back!!
Minis aren't a Hatchback and if you put a Honda in one then you have a Honda
Wow!
so cool
Love how cars so simple to make back then cars now a days he’ll nah, I wish I owned a custom mini turbo from the 60’s and make it awd
I'd love to have a Morris Mini
Could anyone tell me what the last year of production was for the famous Austin Mini ?
the last Minis were badged Rover and the last official day was the 4th of October 2000. Austin-Morris became BMC, then Leyland over the years. Though in reality the last Mini was built in the June of 2000, but the official ceremony was in October. I know as I was there.
I love mine!
I'm proud when I drive it!
How can I cite this documentary?
Si può avere la versione in italiano?
LOVED my Mini and so did the girls lol/
They should give the supercharger option on newer mini's they would sell like hell
17:22 it is like mrbeans
Yeah
wow
One day I will own you, Mini! Whether countryman or the S. I will!
My mum owns a 2014 Mini Cooper it’s orange with black wheels black roof and black Wong mirrors it’s the 3 door hatch
It couldnt have been from the year 2000 because the modern mini was placed into the showrooms in 2001 and the narrator says that the modern mini was given the best car of the year award in 2003! Great video tho thanks man!
Yes, the BMW mini was launched in 2000... it took 3 years to win said award.
One of the biggest mistakes that they ever did by selling to BMW . The New Minis are way To Expensive and they are way to high tech for a classic icon that there reputation is now Ruined thanks to BTW.
The classic Mini was never going to continue, regardless of who owned the brand. The car didn't meet any of the crash impact regulations around the world, nor would it have been possible to change the design to maintain the original car, or its character.
For me the name Mini ended on the 4th of October 2000 when the last Mini officially rolled off the line in Longbridge.
The MINI is a different car for a different market.
I am a MINI fan, I had my first mini in 1979 an 850. J registered 1971. SO on to 2017 I now own a 1971 COOPER S and a 2004 MINI COOPER S R53, the first and last of the real mini's. From 2006 BMW lost all sense of reality, the mini has become fat and ugly powered by peugeot. I deal in classic cars and if any of you guys are looking for an addition to your MINI classic, buy a MINI R53 Cooper S, prices are already rising. A Good R53 will be more expensive than a R56.
Nice pair of cars there,R53 will go up no doubt as you say last of the real ones and super charger will help prices too.
The new mini a 100% better german design quality engineering only a fool would think otherwise some of the comments are ludicrous so say the least. Little wonder there is no British car industy left!!!!
This car was the BEST car ever made! BMW should manufacture BMW's and leave MINI alone!
Syd Syd well mini wouldn’t be a car if it wasn’t for BMW 😂😂
:)
Thebest ink,istofatGoforFiat500
Old Minis are better than new Minis.
HONDA MOTOR IS BEST IN WORLD.
Good cars until BMW put their on engine in it.
the original MINI had a de-stroked Chrysler engine in it, later models run the PSA group block as found in most of the European Hot hatches. BMW doesn't actually build an engine for these cars.
And bmw still got it Wrong what a piece of trash the modern mini is.classic mini will never be beaten
The Mini was to the auto industry, what the Beatles were to the music industry. Both British, and both revolutionary.