Mini

Oil was expensive. Streets were narrow. British families needed a car that did not drink fuel like a thirsty soldier. That is where Mini begins. In 1956, the Suez Crisis turned petrol into gold. Suddenly big, thirsty cars felt like a bad idea. People in Britain wanted something small, cheap, and efficient. But small cars back then meant cramped seats and no space for luggage. Alec Issigonis, an engineer with a stubborn streak, sat down to fix that. His idea was simple but nobody had tried it before. Turn the engine sideways. Push the wheels all the way to the four corners. What you lost in engine bay length, you gained in cabin space. In 1959, the first Mini rolled out. It looked like a box on wheels. Tiny outside. But four adults could actually sit inside without touching knees. The steering... More