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The Classic Mini & Mini Cooper |
The Classic Mini is a small car designed by Alex Issigonis and was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until the end of it's production run in the year 2000. The original Mini is considered an icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front wheel drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers. The Classic Mini is in some ways considered to be the British equivalent of the German designed & built Volkswagen Beetle, which enjoyed similar popularity in North America.
The Mini Cooper and Cooper S: 1961-2000
The Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper came out in 1961. The original 848 cc engine originally used in the Morris Mini-Minor was increased to 997 cc, increasing the power from 34 bhp to 55 bhp (25 to 41 kW). The Mini Cooper featured a racing-tuned engine, twin SU carburettors, a closer-ratio gearbox and front disc brakes, uncommon at the time in such a small car. One thousand of these Coopers were commissioned by the management, intended for and designed to meet the homologation rules of Group 2 rally racing. The 997 cc engine was replaced by a shorter stroke 998 cc unit in 1964.
A more powerful Mini Cooper, dubbed the "S", was developed at the same time as the Cooper and released in 1963. It featured a 1071 cc engine and larger servo-assisted disc brakes, 4,030 Mini Cooper S cars were produced and sold until the model was updated in August 1964. Cooper also produced two models specifically for circuit racing, rated at 970 cc and a 1275 cc, both of which were also offered to the public. The smaller-engine model was not well received, and only 963 had been built when the model was discontinued in 1965. The 1275 cc Cooper S models continued in production until 1971.
Sales of the Mini Cooper were as follows: 64,000 Mark I Coopers with 997 or 998 cc engines; 19,000 Mark I Cooper S with 970, 1071 or 1275 cc engines; 16,000 Mark II Coopers with 998 cc engines; 6,300 Mark II Cooper S with 1275 cc engines. There were no Mark III Coopers and just 1,570 Mark III Cooper S's.
Are you looking for one of these amazing little classics?, if so, look at the classic Mini's that are up for auction and ending soon!!
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