Launch of the Mini Cooper – 20th September 1961

Happy 60th Birthday Mini Cooper!

The car, code named by British Motor Corporation (BMC) as ADO50, was officially announced on 20 September 1961. Available in both Austin and Morris versions, the twin-SU carburettor, 55bhp, 997cc race tuned engined car had a top speed of 85mph. It also had a close ratio gearbox and front disc brakes – ground breaking at that time in a small car. It was arguably the original hot hatch.

On the 16 July 1961, BMC held a pre-launch dinner for the Mini Cooper at the Kensington Palace Hotel which was attended by 27 Grand Prix drivers. At that dinner, designer, Alec Issigonis, made a speech stating that John Cooper, who owned one of the original Mini’s, code named ADO15, and was a big fan, suggested BMC should produce a sports version. The original car was launched on the 26th August 1959.

In his speech, Issigonis indicated that he supported the project, and put it to BMC management with his endorsement. However, this may have not been the case – and in reality, it seems that John Cooper went over Issigonis’ head and got “sign off” direct from senior BMC management. From leaked memo’s at the time, BMC were tardy in bringing the car to life. Management politics also came into play - Bill Davies, BMC Director of Production, had wanted 100 cars for the media to test but was told by Alec Issigonis that ten were enough!

One thousand units were commissioned by management, intended for, and designed to meet the homologation rules of Group 2 rally racing. John Love won the 1962 British Saloon Car Championship – one of the cars first major successes.

The more powerful Mini Cooper S was developed and released in 1963. The “S” had a 70bhp 1071 cc engine and larger servo-assisted disc brakes.

The diminutive car that packs a big punch - an icon was born....and it has never been bettered.

Sixty years on, at any Wiscombe Park hillclimb meeting, you can admire this great piece of British design and engineering in all its various form’s...and I am sure that will be the case for many years to come. The oldest Mini’s seem recently are Tim Dodwell’s 1966 and Steve Harris’ 1967 Mini Cooper S’s. Steve Wareham, is currently a very close second to Rod Eyles - Alfa Romeo 4C - in the Tillicoultry Quarries Wiscombe Park Championship, in his 1970 example.