Mini celebrates 60 amazing years of this iconic car from its revolutionary introduction to the
popularity of its new-generation models. The first two-door Mini introduced in 1959 and
built until 2000 revolutionized automotive design with its innovative front-wheel-drive layout
that made the car appear bigger on the inside than the outside. In 1999 the Mini was voted the
second most influential car of the 20th century behind the Ford Model T. Designed for
British Motor Corporation (BMC) by Sir Alec Issigonis and manufactured in England Australia
Spain Belgium Chile Italy Portugal South Africa Uruguay Venezuela and Yugoslavia the
Mini was as successful in competition as it was on the street winning the Monte Carlo Rally
four times from 1964 through 1967. Originally built by BMC the Mini’s later parent company
Rover was acquired by BMW in 1994. In 2000 BMW sold most of the Rover Group but retained the
Mini brand. The last and 5 387 862nd original Mini rolled off the production line in October
2000. In July 2001 BMW launched production of the new-generation of Mini which was soon joined
by Countryman Clubman convertible Cooper Works and numerous special editions. Nearly 20
years later the new Minis remain as popular as the original from 1959.
