I found this book remaindered in 1992 (!) for $A10, reflecting, perhaps, the disappearance of the Mini from Australia's roads (and memories...?). It is large format, largely pictorial in presentation, with >160 photographs, more than half in colour, showing a selection of Minis and derivatives - at rest and at speed - in impressive detail. The whole-page index lists Mini-personae (including Christine Keeler!), places where Minis made history, and features of the car(s). The text is presented in 7 chapters as follows:
IntroductionOverview
John Cooper's introduction stresses the contribution of Sir Alec Issigonis to the Mini's development . Cooper concludes, 'I just wish that he was still with us so that we could tell him.'The Issigonis Dream
Alec Issigonis believed that a small car could be put outside the cottage of every working man. The Mini was the result. This chapter summarises the efforts of the 8-man design team to build the best small car for BMC, given the economic constraints - how they modified existing designs to fit in less space - turned the venerable A-series sideways, produced the monocoque shell, rubber suspension. The working man for whom the car was built was, however, suspicious of so much innovation, and the Mini initially didn't sell well. The Mini DID attracted tuners and racers....leading whom was John Cooper, who sought permission from BMC to build some 'quick' versions....he had to build 1,000, but ultimately made 150,000 and made history. Detailed photographs include the first models, engines, interiors, exteriors, publicity shots, and Cooper features.Mini Skirts Mini Cars
Describes the '60's, when Minis became a 'fashion accessory', and some of the 'names' who were seen in Minis - 30 years later, some of them still are - Spike Milligan, for example. Exotic Minis developed for some of the names include Peter Sellers' wickerwork side-panelled Min from Hooper, the Rolls-Royce coachbuilder, Ringo Starr's hatchback from Radford, and the Wood & Pickett Margrave. Mini sales picked up, and by the end of the decade, > 2 million had been sold. Changes through the decade are summarised in the text, which is accompanied by quality photographs.Red Brick Rallying
Improvement in the Mini's image came after BMC discovered that 'racing improves the profits' - the buying public saw consistent wins on rallies such as the Monte Carlo after the BMC competition department was set up at Abingdon. Minis won the Monte outright in 1964, '65 and '67, and took first 3 places in 1966, only to be disqualified for a petty headlight violation. The chapter describes some of the many feats of the Works Coopers, and shows them in full page action, together with some of the famous names.The Money Box Enigma
The enigma in this case is that Mini sales in the millions and victories on the race track did not make British Leyland their sought-after wealth. More giant-killing Minis in action are shown, more works cars, a 4.6 litre Chev V8-powered van, production-line views, crash-testing, export models. The text summarises the poor marketing of the Mini - built at a loss for so many years. "There is no real reason why the Mini should still be in production, apart from the fact that Rover actually make money from producing it. This is a relatively new state of affairs..."Twini Mini and Other Mutants
The 'mutants' here include the Elf and Hornet extended versions of the original shape, the Moke, a twin-engined version of the latter, the MG Mini, Michelotti Mini, Innocenti Mini, various beach-buggy Minis, Stewart & Ardern Mini Sprints, Broadspeed G.T., Mini Marcos GT, the Midas, Ogle SX1000, fibreglass Domino among other more exotic top-chops and cutn'shut Minis. Some tasty photographs of each of these.Thirty Plus and Still in Style
More recent Mini models are shown in true living colour: the Mini Chelsea, the 25th Anniversary Edition, The Advantage, the Park Lane, Mayfair, Mary Quant designer version, Rose, Sky, Flame, Racing, Neon, Swift cabrio, ERA Mini Turbo, Mini City, KAD 16-valve twin-cam, Lamm cabrio, and a new Cooper 1275S. Exceptional photography is accompanied by ca. 2.5 pp. of text summarising recent developments in and revival of the Mini - the development of the KAD twin-cam head to revitalise the ageing A-series engine, the importance of the Japanese market in revitalising production of the Mini itself, particularly by providing a market for Cooper 'go-fast' kits to be retro-fitted to standard cars, and finally the reintroduction of the Cooper models, either from the factory or from John Cooper Garages.
Reviewed by Russ Shiel, confirmed Miniac, Australia
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