MINI VAN
It was a revolutionary and characterful small car designed for the British Motor Corporation (BMC) by Alec Issigonis (1906-1988) and manufactured in Birmingham. This car incorporated advanced technologies that were new for their time, such as a transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive, a concept that is widely used today. The Mini was available with engines of 850, 1000, and 1275 cc. From 1964 to 1971, the Minis featured the hydraulic suspension system designed by Alex Moulton, known as 'Hydrolastic'. Subsequently, primarily for cost reasons, they reverted to the original rubber suspension elements. In July 1958, Alec Issigonis invited his client to take a test drive in one of the two prototypes. Leonard Lord was surprised by the combination of speed and handling and immediately gave the green light for the project to continue. The next step was delivering a production version; they were given 12 months for this.
It was a revolutionary and characterful small car designed for the British Motor Corporation (BMC) by Alec Issigonis (1906-1988) and manufactured in Birmingham. This car incorporated advanced technologies that were new for their time, such as a transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive, a concept that is widely used today. The Mini was available with engines of 850, 1000, and 1275 cc. From 1964 to 1971, the Minis featured the hydraulic suspension system designed by Alex Moulton, known as 'Hydrolastic'. Subsequently, primarily for cost reasons, they reverted to the original rubber suspension elements.
In July 1958, Alec Issigonis invited his client to test drive one of the two prototypes. Leonard Lord was impressed by the combination of speed and handling and immediately gave the green light to continue the project.
The next step was delivering a production version; they were given 12 months for this. Austin and Morris, the brands that had founded BMC together in 1952, each launched a model under their own name in August 1959: the Austin Seven 850 and the Morris Mini Minor, where 'Mini' was used to distinguish it from the Morris Minor; subsequently, 'Mini' became the designation for these models. Production facilities were set up in Longbridge (Austin factory) and Cowley (Morris factory), where approximately 100 cars per week rolled off the assembly line in June 1959.
In addition to the two-door basic model, the Mini was also released as an estate/delivery van (Mini Van) and a pick-up (Mini Countryman) with a longer wheelbase.
The Mini presented here is largely original, still with the same 848cc engine that was originally installed. The interior is exactly the same as it was, so it's original.
The underside is completely rust-free and looks excellent. Driving an original Mini is a unique sensation. The seams fit perfectly. This is the Mini Van for those looking for a perfect original.