The Mini is, without much danger of contradiction, one of the most important motor cars of the 20th century. It was certainly what we now like to refer to as a ‘game changer’. When it was introduced in 1959 it revolutionized the motoring scene, and the fact that we still refer to a certain class of cars as ‘Mini cars’ and ‘Super Mini’ reveals the length of the shadow cast.
It’s pretty easy to see why BMW wanted to capitalize on the strength of ‘brand identity’ that had grown up around the Mini as a life-style, fashion, motoring and individualistic icon. The trick, of course, was adapting the front-wheel drive, wheel at each corner and ‘cute’ looks to a 21st-century marketplace that demanded far more of their car than the generation who queued up to buy the plethora of Mini variants being produced at Cowley and Longbridge five decades before.
My ‘Mini motoring’ has covered ownership of a few of the more esoteric variations upon the theme. In the 1990s when I was a jobbing actor and landed my first part in a West End run, I would commute in a 1965 Riley Elf – the ideal car for such a job, and I’ve owned another identical one since. Then as the Mini’s 50th anniversary approached I combined two interests and became the proud owner of the actual Deep Sanderson 301 that Chris Lawrence took to Le Mans in 1963 and 1964, thus becoming the first Mini-based car to compete at La Sarthe in the legendary 24 Hours race. This machine I drove at Goodwood in the Festival of Speed and then again for the 2009 tribute parade for the Birthday, following Mr Bean around on the roof of his Mini City.
The car went on to race at The Goodwood Revival and acquitted itself amazingly well in such exalted company, with a top 10 finish only being wrenched from its fingers by a recovering competitor who was four laps down and did not understand Blue Flags! The ‘Deepers’ went on to return to Le Mans in the Classic of 2014, acquitting itself pretty well.
I now have a 1962 Ogle SX 1000, which I repatriated from the USA and am restoring to original specification, complete with 998cc Cooper engine as per its original options list. So, I think it is fair to say, I am steeped in Minis and their ways….
When Sophie told me she was writing this book, I was a little surprised, as I checked my bookshelf and saw over twenty-five titles all concerned with Minis, but having now read it, I am mightily impressed as she has succeeded in explaining the links, the ethos and the brave attempt to engender a ‘reborn’ BMW-sired Mini and to steer the brand in a completely new and enhanced direction. That the 21st Century Mini is a success will doubtless be reflected in the popularity of this first class book. Enjoy. I did.
GUY LOVERIDGE
Chairman – The Guild of Motoring Writers
July 2015