Think of the “Mod 1960’s” - Carnaby Street , Apple Records with the Beatles et al and most likely you will picture that cute little , or almost ugly “Austin Mini” motor-car vehicle. No doubt about it - the marvelous Mini set the stage for the worldwide acceptance of small front wheel drive , transversely laid out engines front wheel drive automotive car engine designs that we take for granted on our roads and highways today.

In the beginning it seems that the venerable Austin Mini did not even have its later badge of fame - its moniker of “Mini”. The vehicle was initially introduced as the Austin Se7en and the Morris ( not the Austin factory branded ) Mini-Minor. The only distinction between the Austin factory output model and the Morris branded product being not any major body or mechanical components only the badge and grill of the vehicles. Talk about a forerunner and pre-telling of the auto industry trends to come. In later years when GM Auto engineers being asked the difference between a 1982 compact Cadillac Cimarron in 1982 and its General Motors cousins - the Chevrolet Cavalier, Buick Skyhawk, Oldsmobile Firenza, Pontiac J200 models would be told that in essence the only difference was in the price tag of the new vehicle at their local dealership.

Not only small but the Mini proved to be quite a fearsome competitor on the competitive rally circuit. Auto racing is the ultimate test of both a vehicle’s mettle , endurance and overall reliability that auto owner’s can expect during the lifetime of owning the product. Racing pushes the vehicle’s engine, power-train and its basic reliability and performance to the max. Unbelievably the little Mini won 3 major Monte Carlo events in a row , only having the fourth true win denied to it on a technicality. It seemed that the driver Timo M Skinen’s car was disqualified in the auto rally race after he took the “checkered flag”.

Yet it was not until 1969 that the two distinct and different badges - the Morris and Austin badges on the vehicle production lines were dropped in favor of the one product - that came to be known simply as the famed “Austin Mini”. The Austin Mini is seen by many in the vintage automotive , automotive history field as being the forerunner and design platform that the original Honda Civic small car economy line was based upon.

Yet the Mini suffered a host of problems - especially in the “export market”. These were problems, errors and mistakes that the Japanese auto industry , could later use to good lesson , when it came time for them to enter the American auto market - ultimately very successfully. One was that the auto seemed to be designed for the British market, geography, driving conditions and climate. True the Mini was fun to drive , could pack in passengers , luggage and groceries in a small space. Yet it was underpowered when it came to the growing American highway system and daily commutes. In addition the cooling system seemed to be developed for more temperate climes. Austin car owners and their passengers often sweltered in a hot American summer , while freezing with an inadequate heating system come cold Canadian winters. The car seemed to have devised and developed for British temperate climate and small scale higher speeds. In addition parts availability for repairs , as well as trained mechanics, other than at higher priced British car dealerships seem to scare away more than one potential auto customer - or one looking to finance their new or used vehicle.

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