Sorry for being OT.

But Tony, was the classic mini killed of by EU regulations?

I read recently that due to some daft EU noise regulation the mini would be too costly to "put right".

I always wonder why EU legislations always seem to ban uniquely British things?

SteveH,

New one on me, but is this the car you're talking about?

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As discussed in the Alec Issignois section, the mini was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, one of the greatest and most inspired motor engineers of the 20th Century. Again, he joined Morris Motors on 1936, at the age of 30, and was responsible for the design of the Morris Minor. In his final years at Morris, he designed and built a transverse engine front wheel drive prototype of the Minor, before leaving to join Alvis. He returned to Morris (then merged to form the British Motor Corporation, BMC) in 1955. In 1957 he set about designing a small, economical car for post-war Britain, to compete with the Messerschmitt "Bubble cars". German "Bubble Cars" eh - shame the Mini is all German now...

Its hard to believe that in 1959 the car was built just as we know it today. This was the first car with a front wheel drive, transverse engine mounted in the front, and was also innovative in that it was the only car in the world at that time to have suspension formed not from steel springs, but from a rubber spring system, devised by Alex Moulton (a great suspension designer and bike designer) with Issigonis during his time at Alvis. The Mini had now arrived! The Mini set the scene for nearly all front wheel derived cars this year and that is just one of its many amazing design features in 1959.

In 1959, the mini was first launched as the "Austin Se7en", and the "Morris Mini Minor". The first type, a van, was launched in 1960, with a pick-up version launched in 1961. The van lead to the "Morris Mini Minor Traveller" (also known as the "Austin Se7en Countryman"), or the "Woody", as it is usually known today. Also in 1961, the first Cooper was produced. Later, in 1963, the Cooper's engine was changed from 997cc to 998cc, making it smoother, and much more torquey. More importantly, the 1071cc Cooper S arrived in March of the same year. No one will forget the Cooper from the 60's or the 90's.

First Ever Mini

Wasn't the citroen 2CV abolished because of the same legislation?

This is even on topic..... 2CV = 2 horsepower!!!!

So the EU *did* kill off my mini then.
Shortly after the marque was taken by BMW.

Great. I love the EU EVEN MORE now!

Need to have words with mini "enthusiasts" who go for those horrid EU style numberplates.

P.S. The 2CV died *years* before the mini was executed.

Bloody 'orrible - those 2CV's!

<<<Need to have words with mini "enthusiasts" who go for those horrid EU style numberplates.>>>

Why do you think people go for the new style numberplates? Because they look better, simple as that. Not because they are big fans of the EU.

Its a number plate for gods sake, get over it!

Have you noticed how many people have stuck england or UK flags over them?

A newspaper was giving them away free.

They should do it more often.

<<
Why do you think people go for the new style numberplates? Because they look better, simple as that. Not because they are big fans of the EU.
>>

The reasons are:

1. It is the default
2. It means that if they go abroad, they do not need a "GB" sticker.

I think you'll find its not the default.

My mate went to Halfords and got some plates. They asked him if he wanted the euro thing added to which he responded "I haven't been so insulted in all my life, I shall take my business elsewhere" and stormed out of the store tutting and shaking his head.

Actually he just said "no thank you"

Steve said

"So the EU *did* kill off my mini then.
Shortly after the marque was taken by BMW."

I don't know. I only recall reading something saying that it was ironic that a favourite car(the 2CV) of hippies/greens/lefties/social workers (delete according to prejudice!) was unable to be modified to comply with some green regulation.

I hope you don't mind, but I've altered your text.



==I don't know. I only recall reading something saying that it was ironic that a favourite car(the 2CV) of hippies/greens/lefties/social workers/silly idiots who have no taste in cars ==

I didn't say I'd ever owned one!

Just in case that's taken the wrong way, I categorically state I've never owned a Citroen of any type!