The Mini Library Reviews...

Mighty Minis.
by C Harvey

1990 reprint reviewed.

First impression of this book... 'well-presented'... better quality than most... well-bound, glossy paper, eye-catching Tartan Red/Black Austin Cooper S full frontal on the dust-jacket, a block of 4 well-presented ?daily drivers on the back... bodes well for the contents... a quick flip through... lots of text, well illustrated, photos not on every page, but almost, with a block of colour plates in the centre, informative captions... a comprehensive index, also an index of illustrations... contents listed in 16 chapters:

1: Mini: the car that charmed the millions.

The usual early publicity shots, including the longitudinally sectioned Deluxe, used in 1959 to demonstrate the roominess of the Mini. Figure captions detail some of the selling features of the revolutionary car. The text provides an abbreviated historical perspective of the post-war events which prompted BMC's development of an economical small car, principally the 'historically-high price of 25 p per gallon' (!) (petrol) induced by the Suez oil crisis. Soaring Mini sales in the Sixties are attributed to both the 'dedicated followers of fashion' declaring it chic, and also the discovery that the Cooper S was nippy enough to win international rallies. Harvey notes.. 'With the exception of the Americans, most people did not mind that the Mini was small inside.....'..it...'could transcend all class barriers.' This chapter concludes that the Mini has continued to sell by virtue of a 'combination that has not altered since the 1950's: extraordinary value, a size that cannot be beaten, and, above all, charm'.

2: Enter the Mini.

The development of the A-series engine was the only alternative after an abortive attempt to produce a two-cylinder engine by sawing an A-series in half (!). This chapter describes the modifications made to the existing A-series (500,000 had already been produced pre-Mini) in some detail...particularly mounting the normal A-series transmission in the crankcase. Other developments described include the constant velocity joints, rubber cone suspension, independent subframes....the latter quickly seen as suited to a variety of vehicles. The advantages of the monocoque construction are described, the development of the Moke, and a more extensive review of the van and pickup versions. A comprehensive treatment of the first year of Mini production, with exterior and interior photographs (b&w) of all variants..

3: The Mini-Cooper.

Drivers didn't take very long to appreciate that Minis would corner much faster than most other cars and wouldn't fall over - the boom in tuning firms prompted BMC to develop a quick Min, so the Mini Cooper went into production in 1961. Distinguishing features of the first Coopers are described, with interior and exterior photographs.

4: Super Minis.

The Super, in 1961, sported the corner bars and duotone paint of the Cooper, with many detail improvements. The luxury Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet became the upmarket versions. An interesting snippet in this section is that warranty claims on failed transmissions cost BMC nearly all their early profits, and prompted a redesign of the gearbox by October 1961.....other teething problems - all probably expensive for BMC - are noted . The chapter concludes with the aborted twin-engined Moke, aimed at the army (it lost to the Austrian Haflinger) and the conventional Moke, for which production subsequently moved to Australia and Portugal

5: The all-elastic Mini's.

The novel hydrolastic suspension of the Austin and Morris 1100's of 1962 was refined and reduced to fit the Mini by 1964. Other changes after 1964 included stronger gearboxes, key starters, uprated brakes. Changes on Australian models included wind-up windows and swivelling quarter lights early in 1965. October 1965 saw the announcement of a revolutionary automatic transmission, 'extremely sophisticated for its day', but teething problems again delayed production until the 1967 model year. 1966 saw the introduction of the Mk 3 Elf and Hornet, with concealed hinges and wind-up windows, among other improvements.

6: The Mini-Cooper S.

This chapter is a summary of 'the need for speed'....the development of the 970, 1071 and 1275 cc 'S for Sport' minis. The changes and features from Mk 1 to Mk 2 Cooper S' described are those of the UK, not Australia, where the Mk 1 tail-lights, moustache grille and badging were retained. The text is mostly technical - changes in bearings, cam, valves, brakes, clutch, and so on, with comparative performance figures. Photographs include Austin and Morris Mk 1/2 Cooper S's and the various badging, with some interior shots, including Paddy Hopkirk's Monte Carlo Rally car.

7: The latter day Minis.

Sequential changes in the Mini are detailed, including improvements in braking, turning circle, electrical system, syncromesh gears. The Clubman and its' variants, which included wind-up windows and concealed hinges never seen in the Australian Clubman range, the 850 and 1000 standard cars, the GT, the Innocenti range, are all described briefly. Changes continued through the late 1970's, when BL introduced the Metro in October 1980. The Metro's 998 cc A+ engine went into the 1000HL Clubman Estate at this time. To fill the demand for a more luxurious Mini, the Mayfair was introduced in 1982. 12" wheels came in 1984. This chapter concludes with a brief overview of the revamped Mayfair offered as the 'Mini 25' to celebrate the model's 25th anniversary. Many of the other special edition Mini's from this period are not covered at all.

8: Contemporary road tests' reports.

By far the longest chapter in the book...ca. 77 pp. Accompanying the extensive series of photographs of contemporary Austin and Morris Mini's, all with detailed captions, the text consists largely of contemporary road-testers reports of Mini sedans, the Mini Traveller, Cooper, Estate, modified cars, some American road test reports, the Hornet, the Elf, the Moke.....just about every variant was road tested, and detailed comparisons abound. 26 exceptional quality colour plates are bound into this section; most models are shown.

9: The Mini in competition.

Designated as 'one of the world's most successful competition cars', the Mini got off to a slow start. The first three BMC Mini's entered in a 1959 rally all retired with leaking oil seals. The habit of drivers to throw their Mini's sideways through bends under full power also caused wheel failure, prompting BMC to develop a stronger wheel. The development of the Works Minis is described in detail, with lots of pics of rallying, racing and rallycross Mini's in full flight. The text abounds with many now-famous names from the UK and Europe - 41 pp. in all, and a must for Miniacs interested in competitive Mini-ing.

10: Buying a Mini.

Specific to the UK, where 'availability and low cost of most parts for a second-hand Mini' make restoration a worthwhile proposition. It's an expensive business anywhere else, which Harvey doesn't mention, and Mini parts may be exceedingly difficult to obtain. The bane of UK Minis is rust, and this chapter covers the rust-prone areas, how to recognise them, and provides close-up photographs of all problem areas. Only brief mention is made of suspension, electrical, mechanical and other potential problem areas.

11: Restoring a Mini.

Summarizes panel and subframe replacement, detailing some of the tried and true methods. Engine and other diagnostics are limited. Photographs and captions are adequate, however a restorer will find more of value in the dedicated restoration books.

12: Preparing a Mini for competition.

A brief illustrated chapter in which big carbies, big engines and 8-port heads are mentioned, as are various body and suspension modifications. A bit dated since the development of the twin-cam, 5- and 6-speed gearboxes and alternate motors to the venerable A-series.

13: Interchangeability of spare parts.

Another brief chapter demonstrating how much swapping can be done...up to a Lotus twin-cam in a Clubman engine bay. Some useful tips on what you can't do also are included - Cooper S and GT have special drive flanges, hubs and CV-joints, other models have peculiarities of brakes, wheels, steering racks, etc., - sometimes these cannot simply be swapped.

14: The men behind the Mini.

Usually first, in other Mini books, this chapter reviews the contribution of Sir Alex Issigonis and Sir Leonard Lloyd - they were responsible for the Mini. Some of Issigonis' well-known sketches are shown, and various developmental stages of 'his' car. He managed to have the Mini designed and built in two years rather than the industry norm of seven.

15: The Mini clubs.

Lists a series of Mini clubs (also of other variants), with photographs of some of their meetings. Specific to the UK, and superseded by the global club lists available in the contemporary Mini magazines.

16: Your Mini Logbook.

Lists the various models, with dimensions and some engine specifications, gearing etc. Photographs of many of the Mini variants. Not comprehensive, and doesn't include chronological changes or any dating of models, nor the sort of detail of interest to restorers.

Review by Russ Shiel, Albury, Australia

Russ Shiel

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