<VV> Mini's 50th too

Bill Elliott corvair at fnader.com
Wed Aug 26 08:29:18 EDT 2009


**I read this in a Mini article and thought it was interesting that the  
Mini and the Corvair were introduced at about the same time.


"Rumors have been swirling for months about what BMW would do on  
August 26, 2009 for its Mini brand. After all, that is the fiftieth  
anniversary of the public debut of Alec Issigonis' original Mini."**

It was an era when companies felt comfortable exploring innovative engineering solutions... and were not constrained by legislation and punitive liability fears for pursing designs outside of the conventional/mainstream.

It's also interesting that even though both were envisioned as economy cars, their performance potential was recognized by the public resulting in more sporting versions of the cars (the Cooper and Cooper S in the Mini's case) being released at about the same time.

The most recognized Mini 50th celebration just took place in the UK at the International Mini Meet. Though the IMM recognizes and welcomes the BMW MINI as well as the classic Mini, BMW played no role at all in the meet.

Bill
('73 Mini parked between two Corvairs in the garage...)



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