'Mini 1959-83' is one of very few German-language books on the Mini, surprising in view of the interest in the Mini in that country. The slimness of this small book belies its' content - a succinct summary of the development of the Mini, profusely illustrated with artwork and photographs of the various models available in Europe. Aimed at the German Mini owner, the brief text is supplemented with reproductions of contemporary English advertisements, specifically German- and Danish-market export 'prospecti', and also a brief glimpse of some of the Italian Innocenti models. The result is a more 'international' flavour, although the coverage for particular models is superficial. The cover notes are reproduced below, and a brief section on each of the chapters follows.
"Mit dem von Morris beziehungsweise Austin Ende der fünfziger Jahre präsentierten Mini setzten die Engländer einen Meilenstein in der Automobilhistorie. Ein neues Antriebs- und Raumkonzept kennzeichnete diesen kompakten, nur knapp über drei Meter langen Wagen, der rasch weltweite Verbreitung fand. Die in diese Band der Schrader-Motor-Chronik wiedergegebenen Inserate, Prospekte und Pressematerialien legen von der Lebendigkeit Zeugnis ab, mit der das kleine englische Wunderauto seinem Publikum vorgestellt wurde."
Twelve sections begin with 'Der Mini - ein Meilenstein', which summarizes the development of prototypes in the late 1950's, the importance of 'Meisterkonstrukteur' Alec Issigonis, and the release of the dual badged Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor in Spring, 1959. The subsequent model development is compressed to 2.5 pp of text....including the upmarket Deluxe, Riley Elf and Wolsely Hornet, the 'Kombi' = Countryman and Traveller, the 'hot Minis'...Cooper range...and the metamorphosed Clubman. The accompanying b&w photographs show the features of only some of the models, mostly UK cars, and include a Longbridge assembly line view at around the millionth Mini.
'Klein, aber oho' is devoted to the first Mini advertising, reproducing the first German-language Mini-Prospektus (Austin Se7en), and the Morris Mini-Minor English equivalent. Only one paragraph of text, lots of period ads showing roominess and unique features of the Mini.
'Countryman und Traveller' introduces the Woody and more 'spartan' Traveller. Limited text, and reproductions of the BMC artwork ads, rather than photographs of the models. A 1964 Austrian prospectus of Traveller features is reproduced.
'Mini Cooper und Cooper S' summarises the development of the first Cooper, and provides a page of technical specifications of the model, autumn 1961. 6 pp. of factory publicity material emphasize the 'sportiness yet economy' of the '64 Austin Mini Cooper, the revolutionary transverse engine, disc brakes and hydrolastic suspension, followed by a double-page spread on the '65 Cooper S. Figures are line drawings and artwork rather than photographs.
'Der Mini mausert sich' mentions the 'varietal' development of the Mini over the years '67-83 - the Mk 2, export Minis, Mk 2 Cooper and Cooper S, BL's Mini 850, Denmark's Morris Mascot Special. Period English, German and Danish advertising is shown.
'Mini Clubman' - again a brief paragraph on the introduction of the Clubman in 1969, and a series of publicity shots of its' features and variants...the Clubman, Clubman Estate, and 1275 GT, with the odd Mini 850 interspersed... and specific options of each model.
'Spezielle Minis' - even more limited text, a couple of full page pics of not-so-special cars, publicity shots of an Austrian 'Lady Mini' (Fuer Ladies Von Leyland) (!), and technical specs of the Mini 1000.
'Mini Innocenti' - interior and front view of a '68 Innocenti Mini 1001, interior of a '74 Innocenti Cooper 1300, and 2 pp Italian publicity brochures on the '75 Innocenti De Tomaso Mini 1300. Very little text.
'Mini Moke' - BMC's German technical data sheet on the '64 Austin Mini Moke, and two page publicity brochure.
'Technische Daten 1959-83' - a two page table provides years of production for the models mentioned in earlier sections, engine capacities, mass, acceleration, etc.
'Der Mini in der Motorpresse' - the converse of earlier sections, this one is light on photographs and heavy on text - 5+ pp. of extracts from contemporary press reviews of the Mini in action, with the only two 'action' car pics: that of the Aaltonen / Liddon Cooper S entered in the '67 East African Safari, and a rallying Clubman in full flight. Various engine capacities and projected speeds of the Cooper variants are mentioned, as are the improved disc brakes of the Cooper 'S'. The section concludes with a glowing report of the Mini's performance in the '64 and '65 Monte Carlo rallies.
'Bücher für den mini-Enthusiasten' - 11 titles are listed for Mini-enthusiasts.....most are out-of-date now, although still can be found, and most authors are still active with more recent titles.....Vizard's 'How to modify your Mini', Golding's 'Mini after 25 years', Practical Classics 'Mini Cooper Restoration'. Hübner's 'Das Grosse Mini-Buch', Filby's 'Amazing Mini', Harvey's 'Mighty Minis' among others. (Watch the Mini Library for their reviews!)
Antipodean impression:
For its' rarity in Australia, a book I'm happy to have on the Mini shelf.
I enjoyed it for the many European adverts and notes which are absent from
other largely UK-oriented Mini books. Best for a snapshot of contemporary
BMC and Leyland advertising, but more comprehensive treatments of the
respective models will be found elsewhere. For the 'average' Miniac
anywhere, it's worth picking up if spotted on bookshop shelves.
'Wunderauto'? - too right mate.....!!
Review by Russ Shiel, Albury, Australia
(with apologies to German-speaking Miniacs for any
mistranslations - mein gebrockenes Deutsch!)
Return to Coffee-table books or view book details
http://www.comp.glam.ac.uk/~minis/minilib/review7.htm
Copyright © 1996, Russ Shiel - validated (3.2s)