Mini Cooper :: FactFile

The original 850cc Mini went on sale in 1959. The higher-performance Mini-Cooper, with 55bhp/1-litre engine and front disc brakes, was then evolved by race-car constructor John Cooper. BMC put it on sale in 1961, badged as an Austin or a Morris. With motorsport in mind, more specialised versions, known as Mini-Cooper S, were sold from 1963, these becoming giant-killing winners of races and rallies, including the Monte Carlo Rally on three occasions.

Mini-Coopers were always assembled at Longbridge (this is now the MG-Rover factory). From 1961 to 1969 almost 100,000 of the original types were built, all having a top speed of around 90mph, and 0-60mph in approximately 15sec. Early cars had rubber cone suspension, but from late 1964 Hydrolastic suspension was used instead.

Dropped in 1969, a rather different Mini-Cooper was re-introduced in 1990, with rubber cone suspension. For the next ten years, the modern variety used a 1.3-litre engine. Fuel injection was adopted in 1991. With 63bhp, this had a 92mph top speed. This type of Mini-Cooper had 12in. wheels and an improved cabin and instruments, but the basic style of the 120in. long car was not changed. There was also a Mini-Cooper S conversion of this type.

The first Mini-Cooper 1961 cost £679. In 1990, when re-introduced, the Rover Mini-Cooper cost £6,995, and the final run-out price in 2000 was £9,895. In 2001, BMW (who had bought the rights to Mini) introduced a new car called Mini Cooper, but it was totally different from the original.