Success Of MINI Cooper Cars!

MINI Cooper

Success Of MINI Cooper Cars!

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Unlike earlier versions of the Mini Cooper, which sells mainly in Europe, the new MINI sold in many countries around the world, including Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Africa and even in China. There are also many countries (with eighty last count) on the list, shows how popular the brand really. While interest was lost to the vehicle in 1980, has certainly once again become a popular vehicle.

Furthermore, the United Kingdom, USA and Germany are the countries with the highest turnover. Strangely, the United Kingdom and the United States about the same amount, even if to sell the machine made in England. And the United Kingdom, where open tops are very popular, about a quarter of the MINI Convertible sold.

BMW shows that sales are brisk and the company does not keep large stocks, my shifts at the factory to add if you need to increase production capacity. direct competition with the Mini in the United States is the Toyota Scion, despite the fact that the Mini is rated higher on a few thousand dollars. Industrial tests have shown that the best MINI car was very well in crash tests. In addition, both the U.S. and Canada, MINI offers the opportunity to "Build Your Own" model.

One of the interesting moves this mini is that it is a small car, without the image of a small car. Smaller cars are usually found with a small budget, but the MINI is a class that has many interior, looking, and actually sold for a higher price than most small cars. Yuppies in search of a "picture" mini-drive, mothers lead with young children, the new Clubman, the MINI are always guys in the school, and seniors who remember fondly the early models and wish the new venture, which has risen BMW and shaped the original. Then, the convertible will reach a different type of driver that you try a sexy machine.

According to some analysts, it may have difficulty in attracting new customers to the brand. It seems that the buyers are usually people who already own a MINI. But once again had to start somewhere, too. Something they converted the first time. The recent introduction of the Clubman in the U.S. market, hopes this problem by alleviating to a different segment of the market for vehicles. According to promotional materials, MINI, the new MINI Clubman specifically do for the active and passionate individualist developed consciously stand out. "

The MINI Cooper offers the chance to drive some, a car that does not look like their parents' vehicles. For example, he treated like an SUV, but has no corresponding price tag and not as a "great evil face in the vehicle." It looks modern, playful and fun for many.

The only obvious disadvantage for the MINI is a few guys that the car is also nice to drive!

Related : Mini Cooper S ~ Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000)
Related : MINI Cooper Cars ~ MINI Cooper Cars The Different MINI Models Parts 1

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MINI Cooper Cars The Different MINI Models Parts 1

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Throughout several changes in ownership of the Mini Cooper, the present owner being BMW, there have been many models of the Mini during the course of fifty years. These have included the mainstream models, limited edition models and also specific models for certain markets in various countries. While the company was the British Leyland Company, a Mini pick-up truck was produced and during the Rover ownership more than forty special edition vehicles were created.

Presently in North America, one would find the MINI Cooper, the MINI Cooper Convertible, the MINI Clubman, all three in the “S” versions as well as the MINI Copper two door hardtop Classic. The Clubman, the newest addition only recently launched in early 2008, is the modern version of the Morris Mini Traveller, Austin Mini Countryman, and Mini Clubman Estate according to MINI. It is a station wagon/van type vehicle probably suited to families with children, animals and luggage to transport.

The differences between the regular and the S models are a more extravagant interior in the S, dual exhaust and the feel of a sports car. In fact, the MINI Cooper S was named “Best New Sports/Performance Car under Fifty Thousand Dollars” for 2008 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

As one would expect, the MINI Convertible appeals to single professionals and others who want an expensive looking sports car that reeks of excitement and makes an obvious statement. It comes in a Sidewalk edition as well, which is basically a limited edition used to create interest while the company comes up with the newer version of the convertible. The interior of the Sidewalk edition is mostly leather and the outside is painted to look richer than the old model convertible. It also comes with a higher performance motor in some markets.

Further, the company offers a John Cooper Works Tuning Kit program for those individuals who prefer a supercharged, race-ready MINI. Working with John Cooper’s son, Mike, the MINI can be installed with equipment to resemble the original Mini racecars. And if you are not sure who John Cooper is, he is the person after whom the Mini Cooper was named when the British Motor Company and John Cooper formed an alliance to spruce up the Mini making it a racing icon.

Lastly, one will notice when reading promotional material and reviews on the MINI, that there are two spellings one in lower case letters and one in upper case letters. The latter, MINI, is used for the newer models so as not to cause confusion with the earlier Minis.

Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000)
MINI Cooper Cars - What is the MINI Safe?

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MINI Cooper Cars - What is the MINI Safe?

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In North America the current MINI Cooper is marketed as a "car in the city." Few people would take such a small vehicle on the streets, but because of fuel economy, easy parking and around the general economy, it is a popular vehicle.

But having said that many people care about the types of vehicles they drive on the highway, the problem is not a safety issue as it relates to the construction of the Cooper. In fact, critics of the car to feel that society too far into the car, which they have gone as proof armor, to increase the length and width of the vehicle during the removal of storage space and legroom.

More in crash tests, the output MINI Cooper many other vehicles of similar size, that its records show about the security. The problem for the public, if you have a long drive on highways daily lane 05:57 Racing against the heavy transport trailers and large buses face, as if a company in a serious accident or Pile-Up? Safety standards, not a small car is to take the brunt of the collision.

It should also be recalled that the original Mini Cars has been formed, a feature that has given them a better handling and maneuverability. Travel on roads with hills, curves, narrow roads with little room to operate, and residential areas are perfect for the car a little exuberant.

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Also today, the department since BMW and BMW for its quality vehicles has been known, the MINI remains a safe vehicle. The previous models had problems with the oval rear view mirror blind spot, but the new models have been corrected by the rectangle as a mirror instead of the other vehicles in North America. It is obviously quite adept at handling the snow and ice in winter.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show test results of the 2008 MINI Cooper, two, three cars leading to a large number of four and five, from a low propensity to rollover during a crash and a low probability of serious injury in front- or side impact.

In view of the European market and the areas in which smaller vehicles have been the norm always on the way, the security would not be called into question. The MINI is probably one of the safest cars to drive. No matter where in the world you live, the MINI Cooper is to drive a vehicle at eye level. It comes with standard safety features, and then about four airbags as standard committed instead of two, plus the company to build a safe, solid vehicle.

MINI Cooper Cars Models Mark I (1959–1967) Parts 1
Mini Cooper S Classic Car Design And development Parts 2

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MINI Cooper Cars Models Mark I (1959–1967) Parts 1

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The Mark I Mini (1959–1967) was the first version of British Motor Corporation's Mini Cars. It is characterised by its sliding windows, external door hinges and "moustache" grill. In the United Kingdom the Mark I Mini was produced between 1959 and 1967, with production in Australia continuing until 1970.

The production version of the MINI Cars was demonstrated to the press in April 1959, and by August several thousand cars had been produced ready for the first sales.

The name MINI Cars did not appear by itself immediately—the first models being marketed under two of BMC's brand names, Austin Cars and Morris Cars. The name Austin Seven Cars (sometimes written as SE7EN in early publicity material) recalled the popular small Austin 7 Cars of the 1920s and 1930s. The other name used until 1967 in the United Kingdom (and in Commonwealth countries such as Australia), Morris Mini-Minor Cars, seems to have been a play on words. The Morris Minor Cars was a well known and successful Cars, with the word minor being Latin for "smaller" so an abbreviation of the Latin word for "smallest"—minimus—was used for the new even smaller car. It was originally going to be called the Austin Newmarket .

Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000)
Mini Cooper S Classic MINI Cooper Cars Design And development Parts 2

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Used Classic MINI Cooper Cars Design And development Parts 2

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Classic MINI Cooper Cars S

MINI Cooper Classic Cars Parts 2

MINI Cooper cars Sliding windows allowed storage pockets in the hollow doors; reportedly Issigonis sized them to fit a bottle of Gordon's Gin. The boot lid was hinged at the bottom so that the MINI Cooper cars could be driven with it open to increase luggage space. On early MINI Cooper cars the number plate was hinged at the top so that it could swing down to remain visible when the boot lid was open. This feature was later discontinued after it was discovered that exhaust gases could leak into the cockpit when the boot was open.

The MINI Cooper cars was designed as a monocoque shell with welded seams visible on the outside of the car running down the A and C pillars, and between the body and the floor pan. To further simplify construction, the hinges for the doors and boot lid were mounted externally.

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Production models differed from the prototypes by the addition of front and rear subframes to the unibody to take the suspension loads, and by having the engine mounted the other way round, with the carburettor at the back rather than at the front. This layout required an extra gear between engine and transmission to reverse the direction of rotation at the input to the transmission. Having the carburettor behind the engine reduced carburettor icing, but the distributor was then exposed to water coming in through the grille. The MINI Cooper cars engine size was reduced from 948 cc to 848 cc; this, in conjunction with a small increase in the MINI Cooper car's width, cut the top speed from 90 mph (145 km/h) to a more reasonable (for the time) 72 mph (116 km/h).

Despite its utilitarian origins, the Classic MINI Cooper cars shape had become so well known that by the 1990s, Rover Group—the heirs to BMC—were able to register its design as a trade mark in its own right.

What is the Mini Cooper Cars?
The History Of The Classic Mini Cooper Cars

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Mini Cooper S Classic Car Design And development Parts 2

Design And development

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The suspension system, designed by Issigonis's friend Dr. Alex Moulton at Moulton Developments Limited, used compact rubber cones instead of conventional springs. This ingenious space-saving design also featured rising progressive-rate springing of the cones, and provided some natural damping. Built into the subframes, the rubber cone system gave a raw and bumpy ride which was accentuated by the woven-webbing seats, but the rigidity of the rubber cones, together with the wheels being pushed out to the corners of the car, gave the Mini go kart-like handling that would become famous.

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Initially an interconnected fluid system was planned—similar to the one that Alec Issigonis and Alex Moulton were working on in the mid-1950s at Alvis. They had assessed the mechanically interconnected Citroen 2CV suspension at that time (according to an interview by Moulton with CAR magazine in the late 1990s), which inspired the design of the Hydrolastic suspension system for the Mini and Morris/Austin 1100, to try to keep the benefits of the 2CV system (ride comfort, body levelling, keeping the roadwheel under good control and the tyre in contact with the road), but with added roll stiffness that the 2CV was very much lacking. The short development time of the car meant this was not ready in time for the Mini's launch. The system intended for the Mini was further developed and the hydrolastic system was first used on the Morris 1100, launched in 1962; the Mini gained the system later in 1964. Ten-inch (254 mm) wheels were specified, so new tyres had to be developed, the initial contract going to Dunlop. Issigonis went to Dunlop stating that he wanted even smaller, 8 in (203 mm) wheels (even though he had already settled on ten-inch). An agreement was made on the ten-inch size, after Dunlop choked on the eight-inch proposition.

CooperS Classic Car Design And development Parts 1

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CooperS Classic Cars Design And development

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CooperS Classic Car Design And development as project ADO15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), the Mini came about because of a fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis. Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped, the market for German Bubble cars boomed. Leonard Lord, the somewhat autocratic head of BMC, reportedly decreed: 'God damn these bloody awful Bubble Cars. We must drive them off the road by designing a proper miniature car'. He laid down some basic design requirements: the car should be contained within a box that measured 10 × 4 × 4 ft (3 × 1.2 × 1.2 m); and the passenger accommodation should occupy 6 ft (1.8 m) of the 10 ft (3 m) length; and the engine, for reasons of cost, should be an existing unit. Issigonis, who had been working for Alvis, had been recruited back to BMC in 1955 and, with his skills in designing small cars, was a natural for the task. The team that designed the Mini was remarkably small: as well as Issigonis, there was Jack Daniels (who had worked with him on the Morris Minor), Chris Kingham (who had been with him at Alvis), two engineering students and four draughtsmen. Together, by October 1957, they had designed and built the original prototype, which was affectionately named "The Orange Box" because of its colour.

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The ADO15 used a conventional BMC A-Series four-cylinder water-cooled engine, but departed from tradition by mounting it transversely, with the engine-oil-lubricated, four-speed transmission in the sump, and by employing front-wheel drive. Almost all small front-wheel-drive cars developed since have used a similar configuration, except with the transmission usually separately enclosed rather than using the engine oil. The radiator was mounted at the left side of the car so that the engine-mounted fan could be retained, but with reversed pitch so that it blew air into the natural low pressure area under the front wing. This location saved precious vehicle length, but had the disadvantage of feeding the radiator with air that had been heated by passing over the engine. It also exposed the entire ignition system to the direct ingress of rainwater through the grille.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Prototype and concept cars Part 2

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With higher powered engines, the standard front wheel drive MINI tends to produce more wheel spin instead of more acceleration four wheel drive would be a natural solution to that problem. Getrag (who make the MINI's gearbox) demonstrated a four wheel drive version of the MINI in 2004.

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At the Frankfurt Motor show in 2005, MINI revealed a retro version of the classic 'Mini Traveller' station wagon. Based on a stretched wheelbase with two side-hinged rear doors and separate rear seats replacing the split bench seat of the standard MINI. At the Tokyo show, the same basic concept reappeared with some fanciful additions a circular roof section could be removed to form a picnic table with four folding chairs. The rear side windows were replaced with fold-down storage containers containing cutlery, cups and plates. In Detroit, a further version was presented without the table and chairs but with a radically restyled interior.

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Additional MINI models, including a four-door version, a two-seat roadster and a dune buggy have been shown as computer-graphic mock-ups at various times.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Prototype and concept cars Part 1

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BMW first showed the MINI as a concept car that looked very different from the production cars. It had circular headlamps, huge wheel flares and a much more rounded appearance overall compared to the production design.

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Before the first sales of the MINI, prototype versions were shown at the 2000 Paris Auto Show. These were essentially identical to the version that was finally sold except that the colours used ('Candy Blue' and 'Flamenco Orange') have never been used in production cars.

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BMW demonstrated a hydrogen-powered internal combustion technology in some of their concept cars in 2000 and 2001, and MINI showcased a hydrogen powered concept car in 2001 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The car differs from electric-motor hydrogen concepts, such as the Honda FCX in that it uses a cylinder-based internal combustion engine.

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An all-electric MINI is in use at the British Embassy in Mexico that uses around 200 kg of Lithium Ion batteries. Three electric MINIs were also made for use in some subway scenes in the 2003 movie The Italian Job to satisfy the subway authorities concerns over possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Convertible

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At the 2004 Salon International de l'Auto, Mini introduced a convertible model which was released in the 2005 model year and available in One, Cooper and Cooper S versions.

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The convertible roof is fully automatic an unusual feature in such a small car and can be opened partially to act as a sunroof whilst the car is driving at speed. The convertible model forsakes the rear hatchback of the Hardtop Mini, replacing it with a drop down 'tailgate' that is reminiscent of the classic Mini it incorporates similarly prominent external hinges, and with the roof in the closed position, the rear roof section and luggage shelf can be raised with two handles, semi-tailgate style, to access the luggage space easier. The convertible also adds two small power windows for the rear seat passengers which are lowered automatically when the roof opens. The roof is made from a heavy cloth, with many layers of insulation; the rear window is glass with an integral heater/defroster, but no washer or wiper.

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At the 2007 North American International Auto Show, Mini introduced the limited edition Mini Cooper S Sidewalk Convertible. It had a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph) and accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0 to 62 mph) in 7.9 seconds. The engine provides 168 hp (125 kW) and 220 N·m (160 ft·lbf) of torque.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Hardtop The End Part

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The Mini One and Mini Cooper were available with a ZF VT1F continuously variable transmission or with a conventional Midlands five-speed manual transmission (model years 2001-2004) the later was replaced with a Getrag five-speed unit for the remainder of the Mk I production (2005–2006). The Cooper S came with a six-speed Getrag manual or (starting with the 2005 model year) a fully automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

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As standard, the Mini had a drive by wire electronic throttle, electronic brakeforce distribution, cornering brake control and electronic stability control (standard or optional, depending on model and region) to improve control and handling in adverse conditions.

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The addition of a supercharger to the Mk I Cooper S required that the battery be relocated into the rear of the car leaving no room for a spare tyre, hence this model comes with run-flat tyres as standard.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Hardtop Part 3

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All models used a transversely-mounted four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels. All four wheels are pushed to the corners of the body to improve handling. The styling of the car, like that of the Volkswagen's New Beetle, is a retro design that is deliberately reminiscent of the original Mini. The retro styling is further enhanced by retaining other classic Mini touches such as contrasting roof colours, optional bonnet stripes, optional rally lights, and black trim around the wheel arches and rocker panels that mimic the wide wheel flares found on many classic Minis.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Hardtop Part 2

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The names Cooper and Cooper S echo the names used for the sportier version of the classic Mini, which in turn come from the involvement of John Cooper and the Cooper Car Company. The Cooper heritage is further emphasised with the John Cooper Works (JCW) range of tuning options that are available with the Mini. John Cooper also created a one-off racing model of the Mini Cooper S named the Mini Cooper S Works. This car features many extras which help to improve performance, such as a racing exhaust and air filter as well as uprated suspension. The car also has one-of-a-kind 17-inch (430 mm) racing wheels.

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The Mk I Mini One, Cooper and Cooper S used some version of the reliable, Brazilian-built Tritec engine, co-developed by Chrysler & BMW; the Mini One D used a Toyota-built diesel engine. In August 2006, BMW announced that future engines would be built in the UK, making the car essentially British-built again; final assembly took place at Cowley, and the body pressings were made in nearby Swindon at BMW's Swindon Pressings Ltd subsidiary.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Hardtop Part 1

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In Portugal and Greece, the Mini One was powered by a 1.4 litre I4 version of the Tritec engine but all other petrol powered Minis used the 1.6 litre I4 version. Since 2005, a soft-top convertible option has been available across the entire range.

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There are numerous styling and badging differences between the models, perhaps the most obvious being that the Cooper S has a distinctive scoop cut into the bonnet. The Cooper S also has twin exhausts which exit under the centre of the rear valance. The (non-S) Cooper has more chrome parts than the Mini One and has a single exhaust. The Mini One D has no visible exhaust pipes at all.

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In some markets, such as Australia and the U.S., only the Mini Cooper and Cooper S are offered because the Mini One's engine was considered inadequate to deliver sufficient power to run an air conditioner — a necessary feature in those markets. Almost fifty percent of all Minis sold in Australia and about seventy percent of those sold in the U.S. are the more-powerful Cooper S model. Other models of note, sold in varying markets around the world, are the Mini Seven, Mini Park Lane, Mini Check Mate, and Mini Monte Carlo.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - Overview

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The car, whose first generation was designed by Frank Stephenson, draws inspiration from the original Mini, which was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 to 2000. The name of the car's brand, MINI, is all-capitalized to distinguish it from its predecessor. Development of the first generation had been done between 1995 and 2001 by Rover Group in Gaydon, United Kingdom and BMW AG in Munich, Germany. During this development phase, there was continual contention between the two design groups, especially concerning the positioning of the car, Rover wanted a straight economy car, whilst BMW supported a small, sporting car. Ultimately, BMW prevailed, and in 1999, they assumed control over the entire project following the departure of BMW's CEO, Bernd Pischetsrieder. When BMW divested itself of Rover in 2000, BMW elected to retain the Mini project, and to move the planned production site of the car from Rover's Longbridge plant, (the former production plant of the traditional Mini) to BMW's Oxford plant in Cowley, Oxford, United Kingdom (what was historically the Pressed Steel Company body plant).

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The vehicles produced during the 2001 to 2006 model years (unofficially, the "Mk I Mini") included four hatchback models (referred to by Mini as the Cooper Hardtop): the basic "Mini One", the diesel-engined "Mini One/D", the sportier "Mini Cooper" and the supercharged "Mini Cooper S"; in 2005, a convertible roof option was added to the Mk I line-up. In November 2006, BMW released a re-engineered version of the Mini Hardtop (unofficially the "Mk II Mini") as a 2007 model-year vehicle. The Mk II is currently[update] available in the original Hardtop and Convertible body styles (the latter being introduced as a 2009 model). A third Mk II body style, an estate called the Clubman, was introduced as a 2008 model.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini John Cooper Works GP

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The last Mk I variant to be produced using the Tritec engine was the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit. a light-weight, quasi-race-prepped John Cooper Works model. Hand-finished by Bertone in Italy, it was offered as a limited-production run of 2000 cars during the 2006 model year, with 444 of those originally intended for the UK market (although ultimately, 459 were sold). The GP features more bolstered front seats but had no rear seats, which along with reduced sound-deadening, removal of the rear wash-wipe system, optional air-conditioning, and other weight-reduction steps, resulted in a weight saving of around 40 kg (88 lb) compared to a Cooper S. Additionally, the car had enhanced braking, suspension, a smooth under-body and 218 hp (163 kW) from the John Cooper Works engine modification package. In place of the rear seats there is additional body stiffening and below-floor storage areas. The car also offered many unique styling points, such as the red door mirrors, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, unique body kit, bespoke (2 kg lighter) 4-spoke alloy wheels, and specialized badging. Available in just one color scheme (Thunder Blue with a Pure Silver roof), each car was individually numbered and featured a decal on the roof along with a plaque on the dashboard. The last of the supercharged Minis and a genuine Limited Edition model, there is a high potential for the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit to become a collector's item.

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History Of Mini Car, Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000) Part 2

History Of Mini Car, Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000)

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A more powerful Mini Cooper, dubbed the “S“, was developed in tandem and released in 1963. Featuring a 1071 cc engine and larger servo-assisted disc brakes, 4,030 Cooper S cars were produced and sold until the model was updated in August 1964. Cooper also produced two models specifically for circuit racing, rated at 970 cc and a 1275 cc, both of which were also offered to the public. The smaller-engine model was not well received, and only 963 had been built when the model was discontinued in 1965. The 1275 cc Cooper S models continued in production until 1971.

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Sales of the Mini Cooper were as follows: 64,000 Mark I Coopers with 997 cc or 998 cc engines; 19,000 Mark I Cooper S with 970 cc, 1071 cc or 1275 cc engines; 16,000 Mark II Coopers with 998 cc engines; 6,300 Mark II Cooper S with 1275 cc engines. There were no Mark III Coopers and just 1,570 Mark III Cooper S’s. The Mini Cooper S earned acclaim with Monte Carlo Rally victories in 1964, 1965 and 1967. Minis were initially placed first, second and third in the 1966 rally as well, but were disqualified after a controversial decision by the French judges. The disqualification related to the use of a variable resistance headlamp dimming circuit in place of a dual-filament lamp.

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It should be noted that the Citroën DS that was eventually awarded first place had illegal white headlamps but escaped disqualification. The driver of the Citroën, Pauli Toivonen, was reluctant to accept the trophy and vowed that he would never race for Citroën again. BMC probably received more publicity from the disqualification than they would have gained from a victory - but had the Mini not been disqualified, it would have been the only car in history to be placed in the top three on the Monte Carlo for six consecutive years.

The History Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars
History Of Mini Cooper Classic Cars in the United States
Origins Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars

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History Of Mini Car, Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000) Part 1

History Of Mini Car, Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000)

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Issigonis‘ friend John Cooper, owner of the Cooper Car Company and designer and builder of Formula One and rally cars, saw the potential of the Mini for competition. Issigonis was initially reluctant to see the Mini in the role of a performance car, but after John Cooper appealed to BMC management, the two men collaborated to create the Mini Cooper, a nimble, economical and inexpensive car. The Austin Mini Cooper and Morris Mini Cooper debuted in 1961.

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The original 848 cc engine from the Morris Mini-Minor was increased to 997 cc, boosting power from 34 bhp to 55 bhp (25 to 41 kW).The car featured a racing-tuned engine, twin SU carburettors, a closer-ratio gearbox and front disc brakes, uncommon at the time in a small car. One thousand units of this version were commissioned by management, intended for and designed to meet the homologation rules of Group 2 rally racing. The 997 cc engine was replaced by a shorter stroke 998 cc unit in 1964.

The History Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars
History Of Mini Cooper Classic Cars in the United States
Origins Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars

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What is the Mini Cooper?

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The Mini Cooper is a tiny little car that is great on gas, handles like a sports car, fits four adults and is cute to look at.

Why was the Mini Cooper Developed and Manufactured?

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While many countries around the globe were faced with a series of fuel shortages in the 1950s, the British Motor Company (BMC) decided that it was it time to design and build a gas conscious vehicle than could appeal to the masses. Thus, Lord Nuffield engaged designer Sir Alec Issigonis with the task of creating a “microcar” that would be excellent on gas while at the same time able to compete with the other companies’ small vehicles that had already hit the automotive industry.

What was the Precursor to the Mini Cooper?

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The Mini Cooper Classic Cars was launched on August 26, 1959 sporting room for four adults, gas economy, and the bonus feature of handling like a sports car. This model was not, however, the actual Mini Cooper which subsequently debuted later in 1962.

How did the Mini finally become Popular?

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The first person to give credence to the sales of the Mini was Queen Elizabeth. Once she was seen driving the car and subsequently various celebrities owning the vehicle, the population at large had to have the car.

What Prompted the Launch of the Mini Cooper?

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John Cooper was a designer who built cars that won Formula One championships. As a result, he approached BMC about the possibility of a joint venture between his racing engine and the Classic Mini. The Mini Cooper was born in 1961 and launched to the public in 1962.

How Successful was the Mini Cooper?

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The new revolutionary model of vehicle was so successful that it overtook the Monte Carlo Rally. Coupled with the original benefits of the Mini and now the consistent, outstanding race performances, the Mini Cooper was set to become hugely popular.

In fact, it became a must-have commodity, a fashion statement. The Mini Cooper was one of those odd items that crossed all social status. Cheap to buy but desired by all classes, it did not matter whether the car was a luxury vehicle or not.

What Happened Later?

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Eventually interest in the Mini waned and sales were slow in the 1980s. And then after several changes in corporate structure, many limited edition models were introduced into the market to revamp the name and the line. Since 2001, the company has been and still is a division of BMW.

The History Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars
History Of Mini Cooper Classic Cars in the United States
Origins Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars

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Origins Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars

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The British Motor Corporation (BMC) who built the classic Mini wanted to increase the image of the Mini and so insisted it was used in competition and so it was duly handed over to BMC Competition Department at the famous Abingdon plant (later know as the Special Tuning division), just south of Oxford in England.

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Who promptly spent much of their time trying to avoid it. With an engine of 848cc and only 34 bhp it was badly underpowered for any form of competition even rallying where the big Healys were gaining success, not least because they were built like tanks and could sustain more damage than most cars of the day and still make the finish.

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The problem was compounded as Saab had recently released the 96 driven by a dominant Erik Carlsson. The 841cc two-stroke triple could kick out around 80 bhp in full rally spec whereas the Mini was good for 50 bhp at most (and reliability was suspect at that figure). Even things like the original steel wheels proved fragile in competition use, cracking around the studs. So the first two years of the cars' competition life were spent on pursuing reliability.

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But then something happened that changed everything.

The History Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars
History Of Mini Cooper Classic Cars in the United States

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