The Mini or more or in its proper model naming the “Austin mini” is a vehicle that possesses a very fascinating history. Originally this was a firmly stiff upper lip British made vehicle – the company responsible for its design and output being the British Motor Corporation. Minis were originally “Austin Minis”. However at some point due to the synergies of the global automotive trade and restructuring for economies of cost and manufacturing scale – BMW however was able to purchase its right and so became the sole owner of the trade mark and brand. In a way it was a sad day for the British Auto industry. Yet BMW has been able to reinvent the brand and indeed capture the imagination of a whole new set of Mini owners and enthusiasts. Yet the BMW “Mini” is not the basic, inexpensive auto that the original product was. With its cache and the markings of BMW it is now a much more upscale product and brand.
The appearance and construction of new Minis can be said bear a resemblance that of Volkswagen of Germany. You would fully expect that – being now basically a German product with German design input, engineering and perhaps some standardized parts utilized from the common BMW auto manufacturing pool. That can be said to be a benefit and yet a bane to originality and uniqueness as more cars begin to look and drive more and more the same. Yet modern upscale Minis can be said by purists “not to be the same”. The Austin Mini was unique. It was a people mover and an economy car. It led the way in front wheel drive transverse mounted engine design. The car may have amazingly small and even tiny exterior size and displacement. Yet it actually seated 4 adult passengers in reasonable comfort. The car had a smaller trunk – too small for most North American buyers. Yet was a “small” even tiny car when Detroit sold behemoths. In its class as an economy small car perhaps its main competition could have been said to the Volkswagen VW Beetle. With more aggressive marketing and pricing the Beetle won out. Yet Beetles are not produced anymore. True there is an upscale VW Beetle manufactured and sold now. Yet it is not sold by an upscale auto maker like BMW and it bears little mechanical and even body appearance to the original Volkswagen people’s car.
Originally this Austin mini was produced in England but later on all parts of the world. This two door car was at first available in the market as Austin and Morris. However during 1969 its name was changed into the Mini. And in 1980, the Mini was again altered and became Austin. As time passed by there were innovations done with Austin that eventually lead to the construct of several models. All models have the same name, Austin mini. In the long run, manufacturers opted to cancel the name Austin and settled with the name Mini alone thus it has been known simply as Mini. The most recently constructed mini dated 2000. However this model does not come up with the supposed expectation.
This Austin mini still hits the road these days. There was even a point in time when this car was one of the best race vehicles to line in the race track as the “mini Cooper It is not only a display in the race track though because it has bagged a lot of titles for several high profile competitions. This only goes to show how efficient the built of Austin mini is. That is exactly the reason why many of this type are still seen driving on the road even today. You can see them in most national roads worldwide but most especially in Great Britain. Car collectors are very eager to have Austin mini as part of their collection. They can go as far as paying the high price of shipping just to line this up together with their other car collection even in spite of workups to convert the vehicle from right hand to left hand drive. What amazes auto collectors and non collectors alike is the worldwide admiration of these vehicles. Mini clubs and clubs seem to exist throughout the globe. Yet to drive a Mini is to comprehend why.
Austin mini is definitely a beauty, not only because of its facade but also its function. This is very sensible and dependable to make use of. I would definitely agree that there is no car that can compete with this car’s qualifications and achievements.
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