Mini Cooper S #59

Many cars have considerable influence on the way we see transportation, but just a few have a true impact on humanity's lifestyle. For sure the Austin Mini is one of them. This car is an engineering marvel, a fashion statement, a pop culture icon and an overall game changer like no other in the automotive industry. It is so significant that it is hard to compare it to another vehicle.

Now let's see why you may want an Austin Mini too. Back in the day, every Beatles member has one; Steve McQueen has one, Enzo Ferrari has one, the King of Jordan has one. Movie enthusiasts remember Michael Caine driving one in the original of "The Italian Job" from 1969.

The Mini is a real poster icon of the ’60s and a car worthy of every beautiful art piece created to celebrate its sheer brilliance. We bet that due to its remarkable popularity, Mini is the star in more car posters than any other vehicle in the world, even Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Over its production lifespan, more than 5 million Minis are sold. The car's initial price is below 800$ and that has a real impact on its popularity too.

This Mini Cooper S art is an ode to compact forms

The visionary to whom we owe the joy of driving an Auston Mini is Sir Alec Issigonis. He dreams of a car that is small on the outside, but spacious enough and comfortable on the inside. His creation utilises many revolutionary designs. First of all, the gearbox is moved right under the engine which itself is mounted sideways to shorten the nose and provide a completely flat floor. Coupled with a front-wheel drive, this means no moving mechanical part is needed to go under the car or anywhere near the cabin. So the cabin makes use of every inch of space it possibly can. It can easily fit four people for a comfortable long drive.

Designs and improvements

Instead of metal spring suspension Mini has rubber cones in each corner. As a result, Mini is a pure joy to its driver. Add rack and pinion steering and hydraulic breaks, and you get a car that goes like a dream. In fact, the Mini passes its testing with flying colours from the first try. So BMC (British Motor Corporation) decides to put it into productions immediately.

Mini has to receive its feedback from any car's worst critics - the journalists. A testing track is prepared for the press, and tens of Minis are ready to take on their biggest exam yet. Tension is high; this car has so much to prove, no one knows what to expect from it. Each and every journalist is shocked by how spacious the car is and what joy it brings to the driver. They just want to keep on driving. No one has anything but praise for the Mini and its genius designer. The news outlets are bombarded with pictures, posters and appreciation texts for the car.

No ordinary Mini

Mini Cooper S you see above is no ordinary Mini, it is born out of the idea to enter rallies with the car. In 1960 begins Mini's first Monte Carlo rally adventure. The car does not perform bad but it finishes among the last due to lack of power. A friend of Sir Issigonis, the legendary John Cooper, convinces BMC to let him build a car designed for racing. In 1964 he completes the first Mini Cooper S, doubling the power output from 34 hp to 68 hp and winning the Monte Carlo rally from the first try. To prove its racing capabilities, the car wins it two more times in 1965 and 1967.

Mini crosses the line between vehicles and art. It is as a feast for all senses, not just a car but automotive art as well. It is also the inspiration behind the Mini Cooper S art poster by artist Marc Carreras. You can order your art print piece of beauty now at Simply Petrol marketplace.