How Mini Achieved a Cult Status

There are few car brands as iconic as Mini. The UK manufacturer has developed somewhat of a cult status since being founded in 1969 and the range of small cars is quite unlike any other type of vehicle on the road which is a key part of the appeal.

An Influential History

So, what has made Mini such a unique and distinctive brand? This actually dates back to 1959 with the release of the Mini car made by the British Motor Corporation (BMC). This vehicle is considered an icon of British culture from the 1960s and one of the most recognizable and popular vehicles of all-time. The small vehicle has influenced an entire generation of car makers with its smart use of the floor plan and space-saving design that influenced a generation of carmakers. The car was also voted as the second most influential cr of the 20th century, so it is truly a piece of automotive history! 

Although the word Mini has been used to describe cars since 1959, it was not made into its own marque until 1969 when the name Mini replaced the separate car model names. The British automotive marque has had a complex and interesting history but has been owned by German automotive brand BMW since 2000 after acquiring the marque from Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) in 1994. 

Small, Practical & Fun

There have been many different Mini models over the year, all of which stick to the original design idea of being a vehicle which is small, intelligently laid out and great fun to drive. The first design of the mini was created by Sir Alec Issigonis, who gave us the revolutionary design in 1959. The reason for the creation, was a response to the oil crises, as the car was designed with affordability and practicality in mind. The last part is key as this is what has helped the marque to develop a cult status not only in the UK but also overseas. They can also be affordable to find, buy and you could even lease it from a service like Zen Auto.  

Community

People sometimes claim that purchasing this car is a bit like joining a club because there is such a strong sense of community amongst owners. You see many Mini owner events taking place all around the world and these help to reinforce the idea that this is a type of car which is for enjoyment and not just as a means to get from A to B. Additionally, the fact that the car is such an important part of British history from such an influential time (and year) also means that people view these cars as important relics and a nod to a different time.

There are few car brands as iconic, instantly recognizable and unique as Mini. It has developed a cult status over the years and this is through its classic design but also through the idea of this being a type of car which is fun to drive and easy to maintain.