A 20th Century design icon, the Mini became the image of Swinging London in the 1960s when Britain still possessed a vibrant and innovative manufacturing industry. Like all of the best ideas, the Mini evolved as a direct solution to a critical problem.

Due to a fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis, petrol was once again rationed in the UK and the sales of large cars fell through the floor. Designed as project ADO15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), the Mini was made by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000.

A collaboration between the Cooper Car Company and BMC oversaw the creation of the Mini Cooper which debuted in 1961. The nimble, economical and inexpensive car not only proved massively popular with consumers but also made an impact in the world of rally car racing. 

By 2000, Mini production ceased and the ‘Mini’ name reverted to BMW ownership. The new ‘BMW’ MINI is technically unrelated to the old car but retains the classic transverse 4-cylinder, front-wheel-drive configuration and iconic “bulldog” stance of the original.

The Mini Cooper is one of the very few cars that have had a starring role in the movies. Three of them outshone Micheal 'You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off' Caine in the 1969 British classic, The Italian Job.

This Racing-Green model was spotted on Maida Vale’s Sutherland Avenue and belongs to the smallcarBIGCITY tour company, which have a fleet of beautifully presented classic Mini Coopers that can take you on the ultimate guided tour of London.