The Mini has recently been voted 'Car of the Century' by Autocar Magazine. Described as 'Britain's Brilliant Mini... the personification of a modest champion'. The mini started life as the smallest in a proposed three-tier range of family saloons. Its sales achievements alone are enormous: over 5.3 million Minis have been produced, and the model was still in production at Rover's Longbridge production line until October 2000 - 41 years of continuous production. There have been nearly 140 different models of the car since it was first introduced in 1959, as an economy vehicle in the wake of the Suez oil crisis.
It was planned to continue to produce the Mini until the designers found a replacement for the 21st century (an impossible task!). Those of us who can't get enough of the Mini can read about it every month in the Mini World Magazine; Nigel Fryatt a past student of the school, is Executive Editor of the magazine!
The Development of the Mini
The Mini was developed by the late Sir Alex Issigonis. He came to England and worked in the motor trade until he found a job at Morris, a few years before the Second World War. There, in the late 1940s, he designed the first British car to sell a million - the Morris Minor.
The car was eventually launched on the 26th August 1959 through both the Austin and Morris franchises around the world. It was priced at £496.00 which was £100.00 cheaper than the Ford Anglia.
The dream of Alex Issigonis was that every worker would have a Mini outside his house. It would be cheap, and practical, and loved and the world would be a better place. But, it never happened, and the Mini became more of a 'cult' symbol rather than a car for the masses.
The Technical Features of the Mini
The technical features which made the Mini so successful and which have been copied by so many other car manufacturers include:
Mini Features
Front Wheel Drive , Transverse Engine , 4 Cylinder 'A' Series Engine
Gearbox Mounted Below the Engine , Rubber Cone Suspension
Wheels Set at Each Corner of the Car
The mini saw much racing success in rally racing. To stay competative, John Cooper got the idea to release a version of the mini that was more race prepared. The result was the mighty Mini Cooper S. The S featured a entirely new engine, twin gas tanks, a brake booster and other upgrades. The Copper S was used for the assault on rally racing. Due to it's great rail-car handling & reliability, the Mini conquered. Most impressively, the Copper S took first at the 1964 Monte Carlo.
The specifications listed are for a special 1071cc version of the Cooper S. Most Cooper S's feature a large 1275cc engine.
Configuration Transverse Inline-4
Valvetrain OHV 2 Valves / Cyl
Displacement 1071 cc / 65.4 cu in
Power 52.2 kw / 70.0 bhp @ 6200 rpm
Torque 84.0 Nm / 61.9 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm
Bhp / Liter 65.36 bhp per litre
Bore 70.6 mm / 2.8 in
Stroke 68.28 mm / 2.7 in
Induction 2x SU HS2 Carburettors
Compression Ratio 9.0:1
Redline 6500
Transmission Type 4-Speed Manual
1st Gear Ratio 3.254
2nd Gear Ratio 1.948
3rd Gear Ratio 1.378
4th Gear Ratio 1.000
Final Drive Ratio 3.70
Kerb Weight 640 kg / 1411 lbs
Length 3054 mm / 120.2 in
Width 1397 mm / 55.0 in
Height 1346 mm / 53.0 in
Wheelbase 2036 mm / 80.16 in
Front Track 1341 mm / 52.8 in
Rear Track 1191 mm / 46.9 in
Steering Rack & Pinion
Body / Frame Unit Steel
Front Brakes Solid Discs w/Power Assist
Front Brake Size 191 mm / 7.5 in
Rear Brakes Drums w/Power Assist
Rear Brake Size 178 mm / 7.0 in
Front Wheels 10 x 3.5 cm / 3.9 x 1.4 in
Rear Wheels 10 x 3.5 cm / 3.9 x 1.4 in
Front Tires Not Available
Rear Tires Not Available
Top Speed 145 kph / 90 mph
Quarter mile 19.2 seconds
Lateral Acceleration Not Available
0 - 60 mph 13.0 seconds
0 - 100 mph Not Available
EPA City/Hwy Not Available
This calculator provides a good estimate of the average cars performance - at best!
Many other factors, such as gearing, power curve, drivetrain, and traction relate to acceleration and general car performance.