- Mini is celebrating its 66th anniversary, tracing back to Alec Issigonis’ original 1959 design launch in Britain.
- The current Mini lineup includes new Cooper, Countryman, Aceman, Convertible and fully electric variants.
- Motorsport heritage continues with John Cooper Works achieving podium finishes at the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race.
Mini has hit a milestone this week: 66 years since original Mini designer Alec Issigonis’ clever little runabout first rolled onto the scene in 1959.
What began as a no-nonsense solution to fuel shortages has since become a cultural touchstone, a racing winner, and now an aspiring player in the EV era.
Go-kart grin still intact
The brand is marking the occasion by reflecting on its roots and its latest reinvention. The past two years have seen a fresh generation of the Mini Cooper and Countryman, joined by the all-new Aceman SUV and a new Convertible.
Mini insists the famous “go-kart feeling” hasn’t been lost, and if anything, it’s been recharged. Fully electric models now sit proudly in the lineup, proving that instant torque can deliver the same cheeky thrills.
Racing stripes never fade
Of course, no birthday is complete without a nod to competition. Mini’s motorsport pedigree stretches from Paddy Hopkirk’s 1964 Monte Carlo Rally victory through to Bulldog Racing’s class win at the Nurburgring in 2024.
Earlier this year, the John Cooper Works team backed it up with a second-place finish at the same gruelling 24-hour race, proof that even at 66, the Mini spirit is still flat-out.
From £680 to premium SUV
Back in 1961, the very first Mini Cooper launched at just £680. Within a year, production topped 200,000 units annually. Fast forward to today and the Oxford plant alone has built millions, including electric models like the Cooper SE.
BMW’s stewardship since the 1990s has turned Mini into a fully-fledged premium brand, with a family that stretches from three-door hatches to SUVs.
Mini’s message on its birthday is clear: tradition and innovation aren’t at odds. The Classic Mini may still tug at enthusiasts’ hearts, but the modern lineup shows the brand has no intention of idling in the slow lane.