Mini at 60 – Everyone Should Own One

This week, the Mini turned 60 years old. It was the car that brought with it a revolution in motoring. It would go on to become a pop culture icon and it would be a firm favourite the globe over for decades to come. And all this from an idle sketch, penned by a bright-eyed and determined Sir Alec Issigonis. He’d given the world the Morris Minor, but it would be the Mini that would be the bedrock of Sir Alec’s legacy.

The Mini was clever for a number of reasons. First of all, with the original 850cc engine it was remarkably frugal, which for our cash-strapped nation was a huge selling point. It was small, but also practical, famously being able to house a family of five and their luggage. It was also revolutionary, with its transversely-mounted engine, in which the gearbox was fitted under the engine, thus saving on space. And of course, it was cute. And who doesn’t like cute things?

Of course, given then Mini’s popularity, you won’t have to go far on the internet to find an article all about the history of the Mini. However, I wanted to take a different approach. You see, over the years, I have owned five Minis. Admittedly, it’s been a long time since my last one – some fifteen years in fact – but the love is still there, the Mini is still under my skin. I still adore this little car. And that, when it comes to the Mini, is key. Yes, it was a technological marvel in terms of drive and packaging, but the life of the Mini and its incredible popularity was perpetuated by us, the owners. It was the fanatics and the enthusiasts that saw the Mini and grabbed it with both hands, never letting it go in some cases. In a nutshell, Austin made a brilliant car, but it was, to my mind, the passionate following of the Mini outside the factory and the dealerships that secured its future. 

The Mini is a very personal car, and by that I mean it’s a car you choose because of its personality, because of its image and because of how much fun it is. You don’t buy a Mini because you need a car, you buy a Mini because you want a Mini. So, on that basis, if you’ve never owned one, allow me if you will, to explain just what makes Mini ownership so rewarding:

They’re a riot to drive

The suspension on the original Mini was a curious affair. No springs, neither leaf nor coil, just rubber cones and curious swing arms at the rear. You do get four normal shock absorbers, so as to not make the whole thing seem too weird. In reality though, the shocks aren’t the key to the way the Mini handles. It’s the rubber cones that serve as springs in the Mini’s application. If that sounds rudimentary, that’s because it is. Your Mini’s suspension is basically four chunks of rubber. 

Springs would have taken up too much space, and with space at a premium, that wasn’t an option. That’s why the cones were chosen. It wasn’t for handling reasons. The fact the resultant handling characteristics were nothing short of amazing was mere luck. Austin knew the rubber solution would work, but little did it know how well it would work.

The rubber cones serve to connect you to the car and what it’s doing. As long as your shocks are in rude health, the ride isn’t crashy or harsh. It is, however, alert and alive. My first car after passing my test was a Mini, and it didn’t matter that it was only a 998. It didn’t matter that it only ran on three cylinders most of the time. All that mattered was how it handled. I made sure it had decent tyres and brakes, and that was all I needed. I could have more fun going 20mph than someone in a Porsche could have going 120mph. And it’s that low speed, easily accessible fun factor that makes the Mini so captivating. You don’t need to be Stirling Moss to have fun in a Mini, you just need to have a licence. 

They’re simple to work on

At 17 I was interested in was girls and obtaining a better fake ID for Friday nights. I was not a mechanic. My spanner-weidling exploits have been more fervent in recent years, but back then my tool time mostly consisted of me shouting at things and hitting them with a hammer. Yet, despite my general teenage ineptitude, the Mini never baffled me or left me stumped. Which is good, because it broke down a lot. But when you buy one for £400, that’ll happen. 

The A Series engine fitted to the Mini has around six moving parts and can normally be shouted into submission. The brakes are easy to work on, as is the suspension owing to its simplicity, and the whole thing is just nuts and bolts, basic parts bin stuff. Austin had to build the Mini to be attractively priced, so it didn’t make it too complicated.

Even if you have to do something big, like remove the engine, you can do it by dropping out the front subframe on which everything sits. It’s all frighteningly simple, but what’s key is that it’s logical. You won’t be scuppered by hidden nuts or bolts. The Mini is a car you approach with spanners and logic, that’s all you need. In fact, other than internal work to engine, there is nothing you can’t do to a Mini on your own driveway. 

The enthusiast scene is vast

Owning a classic car can be a lot easier and a lot more fun if there is a large and supportive following for said classic. The Mini, happily, is probably at the top of the pile on that front. Not only are there countless owner’s clubs up and down the country, as well as larger national clubs, there is also a bustling aftermarket for them. So whether you’re looking to restore a classic, or if you want to personalise your Mini to make it truly yours, or if you want to get out there with like minded enthusiasts, there is something for you. 

This huge following also takes the stress out of Mini ownership. You can be a complete automotive novice, it doesn’t matter. Buy a Mini and there will be an expert or an enthusiast no further than a call or email away, and they will almost always be willing to help. Mini ownership is all-encompassing for many, and as such, they will go above and beyond to help you out.

This was how I got into Minis. By best friend had one, his brothers both had them, his eldest brother’s girlfriend had one so it seemed right for me to get one, and when I did, my friends and fellow enthusiasts were on hand to help me keep mine on the road. It was brilliant. 

They connect generations

In an age of cars full of computers and as such, lacking any sense of soul or heart, old cars are more important than ever. The Mini is perhaps one of the most important, as it’s a car that carries with it a natural bridge between generations. If your mum and dad didn’t have a Mini, I’ll bet my bottom dollar they knew someone who did. Minis connect us, there is almost always a family link to a Mini, and that’s something you feel a duty to carry on. The cars being knocked out today aren’t, largely, going to be classics. But the Mini is and always will be. And as I mentioned above, the massive following and aftermarket means the Mini will live on for decades to come.

We, or certainly I, see the Mini as more than just a car. It’s a mate, and you want your mates in your life. And you want to introduce your mates to the rest of your family, which is why parents can often be found buying old Minis for their children to tinker with. My daughter is thirteen this year, and I’m thinking about getting her one. Whether she drives it or not doesn’t matter, what matters is that she’ll get to say she has one, and we can work on it together. I can’t imagine doing that with any other car. 

They’re joyous

Click on any news site and you don’t have to read too much before realising that the world is a horrid place at the moment. As such, we need to counteract that with joy and with things that make us happy, and that’s what the Mini does. It’s a fun car that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Like a giddy terrier it lives for no other reason than to put a smile on your face, and that’s special. That’s why, even sixty years on, we still have a profound, unwavering love for Britain’s finest contribution to the motoring world.

Has reading this inspired you to go on your own Mini journey? If it has, you’re in luck, as Car & Classic has plenty of listings for you to look through. So go on, add a Mini to your collection and see what all the fuss is about!