Genius & Stupidity - The Mini Story

There are few cars that create such an emotional response as the Mini. In 1959 it was a modern, cutting-edge design, but today is a cute, old-fashioned car. It’s gone from being the height of practicality to completely impractical, certainly compared to modern cars. But that emotional response was understood by those who sought to recreate it at the turn of the Millenium, creating a practical car that nevertheless cherishes its British Mini roots. So, just why did the British Motor Corporation decide to build this tiny car? And why was the Mini on sale, almost unchanged, for over 40 years?

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#bigcar

[JonLondrezos]

We had a Mini and I learned to drive in one. I still remember being able to lift it from the back and slide it in to fit in very tight parking spots. What a legend!

[biggeststeppa]

Fun bit; One of the designers of the 'new' Mini for a long time denied ever being involved with the project because he felt it was a stain on his career. He only stepped out of the shadows when BMW offered him a lifetime achievement award which came with a large prize.

[papaloongie]

My aunt had one.
She was a high school teacher.
Her students would often pick the car up and carry it way up the stairs in front of the school.
They found many creative places to put that car.
My uncle made a roller setup (think poor-man’s dyno) and used it to run a compressor.

[interceptordave]

I've had seven Minis and still have a 1979 998cc saloon which I'll never sell. Great fun to drive, truly organic motoring.

[chrisward]

A 1975 Clubman 1275 GT was my first car, though 12 years old by the time I got it. Absolute legend that was, loved it even though I beat the crap out of it, but it was just begging to be thrashed. Blew the head gaskets and rebuilt the engine twice, and eventually the poor little fella succumbed to rust. I remember one time bemoaning a burst radiator to the barman at the local student friendly pub. He disappeared into the back and plopped a mini radiator on the bar with my pint and pork scratchings. Cheers!

[InventorZahran]

When you said "the sorts of things you did in a car in the 1950s", I immediately thought of lighting and smoking cigars.

[frogandspanner]

17:04 Many years ago (early '80s) a friend was very senior in the civil service, and as a sort of retirement gift was sent to Thailand for a couple of years to boost trade connections. He asked Leyland to send over a couple of buses to show off (he had arranged for the Thai Royal Family to be seen riding atop a double decker) but Leyland said they could pay full price for their world-leading buses if they wanted to try them. Thailand has Volvo double deckers these days.

[ciaranmurray]

I've watched umpteen documentaries on the mini but this is by far the best. You have certainly answered so many queries and explained why it lasted 41years.
Despite its faults it has always had a charm no other car can match. Very enjoyable long may you continue.

[DominatorLegend]

Fun fact: While Leyland was rather adamant on handing the Minis for TIJ, FIAT actually approached the film crew and were more than happy to hand out a load of 500s.
Funny to think that in an alternate universe the red, white a blue cars would've been FIATs.

[thedolphin]

A friend of mine, a motor wrecker, mechanic and welder, built Australia's first road registered Mini V8 in 1972.

[ElDerpy]

as kid in in the 80s, the "proper" mini was a thing of excitement to me and many friends (it looked like we could drive it somehow).
used to get occasional sundays out in one. left hand drive. remember being marvelled at sitting on the wrong side of the car.
amazing memories i only have to see a mini to recall clearly, when so many are dulled by time.

[njanarun]

"This might be a very long story, but it is also the Mini story." I hit the like button at this point of the voice over.
This is a great punchline.

[catjudo]

In his first book "Rockers and Rollers", Brian Johnson (of Geordie and AC/DC fame) notes that one could do more, ahem, exciting things in a Mini. I'm sure the fact that Mr. Johnson is 5'5" probably helped matters some, but when there is that certain urge, there will always be a way. Great story. You outdid yourself this time.

[svenlabots]

My first 3 cars were Minis. Unforgettable the adventures i experienced with those little rag dolls. My granny drove her 1971 Clubman for over 20 years without any single problem. My Minis would leave me down during rainy weather, due to ignition problems. Thanks to Duran Duran, i always carried hair spray with me, so i sprayed it all over the ignition heads, and it would run again, hahaha...🤣😉

[fredericducomet.boquier]

Merci beaucoup monsieur Big Car pour ce sujet passionnant et très bien documenté !
Le problème avec le charme et la beauté intemporelle d'un design, c'est qu'on ne peut pas vraiment le remplacer sans décevoir les admirateurs et autres amoureux des belles carrosseries bien proportionnées, un peu comme la Citroën DS, la Ford Mustang et tant d'autres icônes sur roues.. 🙏👍

[nupagadii]

The Marvelous INTRO

I love it since the video combined w/ the First Beat of moving music....

[simonlb]

As a child of the 70's the Mini has always been an iconic car to my generation, but to see it on a Royal Navy aircraft carrier at 30:18 with the Blackburn Buccaneer in the background, which was arguably one of the best aircraft this nation has produced, gave me goose bumps.
Thank you for another well researched and presented video.
👍

[amaccama]

A few years ago my wife and I hired a Moke for a day in Queensland Australia. We drove it on the highway at 110kph. It was the most terrifying fun I've ever had. 😅😢😅

[garethjudd]

My Grandfather worked at Cowleys management and my Mother had a Saturday job driving the new Minis off the production line. She said that the Cowley workers hated their Longbridge plant workers and would purposely damage new cars being driven to Longbridge and strike for the smallest thing, such as one side of the factory having chocolate biscuits and the other side didn't. 😂

[BOABModels]

Great video! The British Motor Museum not only displays the 9X concept, but also the first Morris Mini (621 AOK), all 3 Monte Carlo Rallye winners, the last ever Mini, a 'Twini' concept, a Moke, one of the first New Minis and many more.