Mini Facts for Kids

A red, Mini Cooper

The Mini is a small car made by the British Motor Corporation (BMC), British Leyland and Rover from 1959 to 2000. It used a transverse engine and front-wheel drive, where the turning power was put on the front wheels of the car rather than the back wheels. Its design saved a large amount of space. It allowed most of the car's size to be used for passengers and luggage. It had only two doors, but could seat up to four passengers.

The design was very influential for car-making in the second half of the 20th century. In 1999, the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th century, behind the Ford Model T. The original model is considered an icon of the 1960s in Britain.

The original Mini was designed for BMC by Alec Issigonis.

It was first released in August 1959. Rover ceased production in October 2000. It was marketed under the names Austin, Morris, Cooper, Wolseley, Riley, British Leyland and Rover.

Images for kids

1959 Morris Mini-Minor interior
A cross-section shows how a Mini maximises passenger space.
The Mini became an icon of 1960s British popular culture, and featured in the 1969 caper film The Italian Job.
Chilean fibreglass-bodied Mini
1992 Mini Cord built with a fibreglass body
Wolseley Hornet
Riley Elf
Morris Mini Traveller Mk1 with internal fuel tank
Austin Mini Countryman Mk2 with filler cap now moved to the lower right hand side of the car
1963 Austin Mini Van
1967 Austin Mini Moke
Mini Pick-up.
Morris Mini K
Morris Mini Cooper Mark I
1971 Mini Cooper S Mk III
Timo Mäkinen and Mini Cooper S on their way to the first of a hat-trick of wins in the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland
Mini Clubman Estate
Mini 1275 GT
The Leyland Mini LS was produced by Leyland Australia from 1977 to 1978
The last Mini produced, a Rover Cooper Mini Sport, rolled off the Longbridge line on 4 October 2000
Minis lined up on Brighton seafront after a London-to-Brighton rally
Mini 9X at the Heritage Motor Centre
One of three Outspan [fr] Orange Minis, at Carfest South in 2017
1964 Monte Carlo Rally winner: 1963 Morris Mini Cooper S
1965 Monte Carlo Rally winner: 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S
1967 Monte Carlo Rally winner: 1966 Morris Mini Cooper S
An almond green Mark I Morris Mini Minor
A meeting of the Mini Owners of Texas club in Grapevine, Texas
1974 Mini Clubman Safety Research Vehicle—SRV4
Morris Mini-Minor rear
The first Morris Mini-Minor sold in Texas being delivered to a family in Arlington, Texas, in 1959
Morris Mini 1000 with larger windows and rear lights
A 1994 Rover Mini 1300i Cabriolet
Rover Mini Cooper Sport rear

Mini facts for kids

Images for kids

See also