Classic Mini - Loads of Info and pictures of Austin Mini, Rover Mini, Morris Mini Minor & Mini Cooper

Ranked #224 in Cars, #13,815 overall

Classic Mini Adventures

All about the original and best small car - Design icon and cult classic, the BMC Mini.

 

5 Mini Facts

 

  1. The record for most people to fit into a classic Mini at one time is currently 21. The record was set by Malaysian students and two of them were in the boot.
  2. The Mini was almost called the Austin Newmarket.
  3. The Japanese have bought more classic Minis than anyone else.
  4. There are 3,016 screws,nuts and bolts in an original Mini.
  5. If you parked all the Minis ever made end to end, the line would stretch from London to Sydney - over 10,000 miles.

Buying a Classic Mini

Tips and places to go to find your own classic Mini

How to buy a Mini Cooper
Tips on buying a Mini Cooper from Channel 4.
Classic Mini Parts
Most used Minis need a bit of work, get authentic parts here.
Classic Minis for Sale
Classic Mini listings on eBay.
More Classic Minis for Sale
Desperate Seller's Classic Mini listings.
Cambridgeshire Classic Cars
The specialist Mini garage.
Car and Classic
More classic Minis for sale.
Pimp your classic Mini
Get you cool upgrades and mods from MiniSport.

Our Mini Photos

When we go to Mini shows, we take the HIC camera. Here are some of our fave photos.

curated content from Flickr

All about the Mini

Mini facts,figures and history.

History of the Mini
Plus test your Mini Intellect with Channel 4's quiz.
Everything about Mini
All the "facts" from Wikipedia.
Miniresource.com
Top classic Mini community online.
Pop Culture Mini History
From the BBC's H2G2.
MiniSpace
MiniSpace ! For all Mini Drivers. A website dedicated to Minis.

Our Mental Modified Mini

Lil Player is the awesome Mini we modded to the max!

Check out Lil' Player, as featured in MiniWorld magazine. We reckon it's the most radically modified Mini around. Our friends at Ghost Concept did all the hard work - find out more here.

curated content from Flickr

Lil Player - Our Mentally Modified Mini

We spent tons of money on her and now we're giving her away!

This iconic car is bristling with top-spec exterior mods, including custom body-kit, House of Kolor paint, full-on chroming, alloys, hydraulic suspension and much more. Inside there's a home cinema kit, X-box, massive LCD screen, unique Alpine ICE and even shagpile carpets.

Full Spec
  • Engine:Standard 1000cc, engine dress up kit, full stainless steel exhaust system, twin ovaltail pipes.
  • Interior: Orange Leather, Alcantara headlining, Day-Glo orange furry carpet, custom leather dash, chain steering wheel and shifter, interior chrome furnishings, seat runners fabricated to slide to the rear, floor raised at sills to house speakers.

  • Paint:Chronic Orange Kandy paint (10 coats.)

  • Exterior: Evo bodykit, Chrome 13" Superlites, GRP boot and show bonnet, fully De Seamed shell, raised arches 1 ¾ inches.

  • Suspension: Rayvern Hydraulics, standard shocks, alloy super fins rear, Rover Metro disc conversion, grooved and vented discs, Green Stuff pads.

  • ICE: JVC KD-AVX2 head unit, Genesis 5.1 profile amp, 2 Genesis 12"subs , Kinetic loudspeakers, Hollywood excursion trilinium tweeters, 2x Alpine 10.5 flip down screens, X-Box, In car CCTV, LED lighting.
  • Windows: One-off tints by JD Signs.


Matt of Ghost Concept, who built the car for us, toured her round most of the summer shows, showing her off at the British Motor Show at ExCel in London's Docklands, and a host of other Mini and Modified shows over the season including Mini in the Park.

But the best part was, that the Mini was up for grabs, along with a year's free insurance, in our competition, so one lucky punter will soon have their hands on Lil Player's keys.

Classic Mini Insurance

Get Classic Mini Insurance

If you've got the car, the parts and the mods, the next thing you need is the insurance, and it pays to get it from a Mini specialist.
Mini Car Insurance
Get cheaper insurance for your classic Mini from Adrian Flux specialist insurance brokers.
Mini Insurance
Classic Mini Insurance from the experts - HIC!
MiniWorld Insurance Services
An insurance scheme designed especially for you and your Mini.

Mini Magazines and sites

The greatest mags and websites for your classic Mini fix

MiniWorld
The original and greatest magazine for the Mini.
Mini Mag
restore - modify - enjoy
British Mini Club
World leading club for the greatest car of all time.
Mini Forum
Your online guide to everything Mini.
The A's of Herts
Our local Mini club, and we think one of the best, too.

The Mini Scene

Classic Mini Community Links

A whole vibrant scene has grown up around the Mini since the 60s. Wherever you are in the world, you are not far from an active Mini community.
Introduction the the Mini scene - MiniWorld
Mini World's Intro to the Mini Scene
Mini Repository
Tons of links for classic and new Mini community sites.
Mini Park
Park your Mini on this website, and look at thousands of other peoples' Minis too.
Mini In The Park
A fantastic Mini show. Check out the gallery of awesome Minis in attendance at last year's show.
London to Brighton Mini Run
Like a pilgrimage for Mini owners, this world famous event takes place yearly, and literally thousands of cars make their way from Crystal Palace Park to the beach at Brighton.

Mini Design and Engineering

How they built the Mini and how you can build or restore yours.

Mini Design and Engineering
The story of the design and development of the BMC Mini at the austin-rover site.
Build a Mini from scratch.
That's what this guy's done.
Adams Mini Restoration Progress
Adam and his dad show how they restored a 1976 Mini.
1962 Austin Mini Restoration
Follow the total restoration progress of a 1962 Austin Mini.
Professionally restored Mini's.
If you don't want all the hard work of working out which bit goes where, you can pay people to restore your car for you!

Mini Cooper & Mini Cooper S

The legendary Mini Coopers

John Cooper Garages
The legendary Cooper Works, still going strong and tuning Classic Minis and new MINIs.
Mini Cooper Register
The essential resource for owners or prospective owners of Mini Coopers.
About John Cooper
The man who made the Mini a winner.

Mini vs. MINI

Old Mini against new MINI

With some classic racing Minis from years gone by.
classic mini vs mini BMW
by hykrem | video info

75 ratings | 143,827 views
curated content from YouTube

List of Mini badges

and other cars based on the Mini.

The Mini has probably carried more badges over the years than any other car. Here are some of them, in no particular order.
  • Austin Mini
  • Rover Mini
  • MG Mini
  • BMC Mini
  • Morris Mini Minor
  • Austin Se7en (or Seven)
  • Austin 850
  • Morris 850
  • Austin Partner
  • Morris Mascot
  • Wolseley Hornet
  • Riley Elf
  • Leyland Mini
  • Innocenti Mini
  • Authi Mini

Types of Mini

As well as all the badges the Mini came in lots of variant models.
  • Mini Cooper - the sporty one
  • Mini Cooper S - the really sporty one
  • Mini Mayfair - the one everyone had in the 80s
  • Mini Clubman - the funny looking one
  • Mini Traveller - the one that could get woodworm
  • Mini Countryman - similar to above, the estate one
  • Mini Pickup - the one with the flatbed
  • Mini Moke - the jeepy one
  • Mini Van - the one with no side windows, also known as the Mini 95
  • Mini 1275GT - the sporty one that wasn't a Cooper
  • Mini Cabrio - the one with the soft-top

Mini Limited Editions

All the limited edition Minis

As well as making many production variants of the Mini, a large number of special editions were produced, as listed here. Check out the Mini Limited Editions Register for more details.
  • Mini 100 SLE - 1976
  • Mini Sprite - 1983
  • Mini Ritz - 1985
  • Mini Chelsea - 1986
  • Mini Piccadilly - 1986
  • Mini Park Lane - 1987
  • Mini Advantage - 1987
  • Mini Red Hot - 1988
  • Mini Jet Black - 1988
  • Mini Designer - 1988
  • Mini Racing - 1989
  • Mini Sky - 1989
  • Mini Flame - 1989
  • Mini Rose - 1989
  • Mini Racing Green - 1990
  • Mini Flame Red - 1990
  • Mini Checkmate - 1990
  • RSP Mini Cooper - 1990
  • Mini Neon - 1991
  • Mini British Open Classic - 1992
  • Mini Italian Job - 1992
  • Mini Rio - 1993
  • Mini Tahiti - 1993
  • Mini Cooper Monte Carlo - 1994
  • Mini Sidewalk - 1995
  • Mini Equinox - 1996
  • Mini Paul Smith - 1998
  • Mini Cooper Sport LE - 1998
  • Mini John Cooper LE - 1999
  • Mini Classic Seven - 2000
  • Mini Classic Cooper - 2000
  • Mini Classic Cooper Sport - 2000

Films featuring Minis

Minis on the silver screen.

From their classic appearance in the Italian Job through to The Bourne Identity, Minis have been the true stars of tons of blockbuster films. Links are to IMDB.
The Italian Job (1969)
The original and best. Three original Mini Cooper S models chase around Turin. "Just remember this - in this country they drive on the wrong side of the road."
Magical Mystery Tour
The Beatles - John races George's psychedelic Mini to race.
The Wicker Man (1973)
Edward Woodward's police car is a Mini.
3 Men and a Little Lady
Normally seen in a Ferrari, in this film Tom Selleck drives something with a whole lot more class - a Mini!
Mr Bean
Staple of airline in-flight entertainment for many years, Mr Bean drove a selection of Minis over the years.
Shallow Grave
Ewan McGregor drives a green Mini Cooper.
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Hugh Grant drives to the first wedding (the one he is late for) in a Red Mini. "F***, f***, f***ity f***!"
Air Bud: 7th Inning Fetch
The baddies drive a Mini Countryman. Apart from that I wouldn't recommend it.
The Bourne Identity
Features an incredible chase in a classic Mini.
The Italian Job (2003)
Yeah, I know its not anywhere near as good as the original and the "Italian" connection is tenuous. The featured cars are, of course, new MINI One Coopers, but a classic Mini makes a prominent cameo, so there!

Films featuring Minis on Amazon

My top 5

These are the best films with Classic Minis
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Famous Classic Mini Owners

These famous folk all owned classic Minis, and who can blame them?
  • All four of the Beatles
  • Twiggy
  • Brigitte Bardot
  • Britt Ekland
  • Paul Newman
  • Steve McQueen
  • Clint Eastwood
  • Noel Gallagher
  • Mark Bolan
  • Tom Hanks
  • Enzo Ferrari (Yes, really!)
  • Eddie Van Halen
  • Stirling Moss
  • Jackie Stewart
  • Damon Hill
  • Nikki Lauda
  • Cliff Richard
  • David Bowie
  • Jeffrey Archer
  • Shirley Bassey
  • Norman Wisdom
  • Mick Jagger
  • Eddie Izzard
  • and loads of others. These are just the coolest (and Cliff Richard).

Classic Mini Madness

By Keef

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All about Alec

All the info you could ever want on Alec Issigonis, the legendary designer of the Mini.

"A camel is a horse designed by committee." Sir Alec Issigonis.
Alec Issigonis
Wikipedia article on Alec Issigonis.
Vehicles designed by Alec Issigonis
Wikipedia's list of all the cars Alec Issigonis designed.
Issigonis Interview
A classic interview with Alec Issigonis.
Issigonis the designer
Alec Issigonis' at the Design Museum.
Mini Heroes
The team that made Mini a legend, including profiles of Issigonis, Jack Daniels and John Cooper.
European Automotive Hall of Fame
View Alec Issigonis entry, then check out his hallowed fellow inductees.

Issigonis on Amazon

Alec Issigonis related titles on Amazon

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Mini or MINI

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Lil Player on You Tube

Check out our mental modified Mini

but don't enter the competition, cos it's closed now!
Mental Mini from HIC and Ghost Concept
by MouldyFrog | video info

6 ratings | 3,585 views
curated content from YouTube

A Mini is Reborn

Mini Restoration Blog

Find out all about Charlie's Mini project.
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Mini on eBay

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Find a Classic Mini

Private Sales on FreeAds.net

Classic Minis wanted and for sale. Find a project, parts or a runner!
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Original Morris Mini Minor Ad

from YouTube

The Morris Mini Minor
by barspeed | video info

17 ratings | 14,252 views
curated content from YouTube

Reader Feedback

submit
  • Reply
    kansasww Dec 9, 2011 @ 12:34 pm | delete
    Would love to have one of these amazing little cars. The more of them I see the more I want one.
  • Reply
    businessnetworkingpretoria Oct 19, 2011 @ 2:32 pm | delete
    I own something that most people will never see, A South African derivative of the Riley elf called the Mini Mark 111. It has the same back end as the Riley but has the bullnose mini frontend. Only 3000 were made by Leyland South Africa from 1969 - 1971. I read somewhere that only 7 survive, although I think this may be an exaggeration.
  • Reply
    emerladdagger Mar 7, 2011 @ 2:47 am | delete
    Nothing beats the MINI Classic, wrote a lens about the [url=http://www.squidoo.com/2011-mini-cooper-countryman]MINI Cooper Countryman[/url] too. just thought i'd write something about a MINI but great lens! i had no idea 21 persons we're able to fit in a classic!
  • Reply
    ashmoon Dec 14, 2010 @ 11:56 am | delete
    My first car was a Mini Clubman in a weird green colour, a 1971 in almost mint condition with 28,000 miles. I bought this in 1994 and promptly painted it white and put bigger wheel arches and wheels on it. I know I know, I should have left it in it's original condition, I had only paid £100 and sold it for £400 year later! Not sure what it would be worth now if it was still in good condition.
  • Reply
    jenms Nov 17, 2010 @ 8:12 pm | delete
    Nice lens on the Classic Mini. I've lensrolled it to my ancient WIP Mini Cooper lens that I just republished.
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Classic Minis for sale

on Pistonheads classifieds

Click on the links for pictures and full details.
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People's Classics

some other lenses devoted to cult cars.

The Mini is just one of a few cars that have set the style of a generation and gained cult status outside of the car enthusiast community. Herts offer cover for all these cult cars, and we've done lenses on them too.
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Yet more Minis for sale

this time from ClassicCarsForSale

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by

drjwilson

HIC Insurance is an insurance broker specialising in classic and modified cars, and especially Minis, which we love!  

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