THE OUTER LIMITS THE IMPOSSIBLE JOB

Despite a sluggish start following its launch in 1959, the Mini was undoubtedly one of the big British success stories of the 1960s. Equally at home in the city centre as it was giant killing on race circuits and the world rally stage, here was a revolutionary car that appealed to everyone from blue-collar workers to film stars.

Having achieved a million sales by 1965 and two million just four years later, the idea of a replacement for the all-conquering Mini must have seemed like madness. But its new-fangled design elements meant the Mini wasn’t one for making a profit, and was reportedly being sold at a loss well into the following decade. So, as the 1960s progressed, plans for a small car that was cheaper and less labour intensive to produce began to emerge.

A MINI MINI

Issigonis was well aware of the Mini’s shortcomings, believing it too large and too expensive to become a European best-seller. In particular, he recognised that its A-Series engine was costly to make. Late in 1966, Issigonis took the rather unprecedented step of requesting that