Mini

The Mini was a small, two-door car,  built at Longbridge and Cowley plants of  BMC (British Motor Corporation), a company formed in 1952 by the merger of Austin Motor Company and Nuffield Organisation (car builder of  Morris, MG, Riley and Wolseley) and later sold to River Group. Launched in 1959, The box-shaped Mini was designed to offer the maximum possible space for passengers and luggage with a minimum overall length (3m). This, coupled with its elegant design and easy handling soon turned the car into a huge success with sales skyrocketing and keeping the Mini in the top car sales list in the U.K. for many years. Originally Minis were sold under separate brands (Austin and Morris) but in 1969 the Mini became a brand in its own right until 1980 when the car was sold again under the Austin name. The sport versions, the Mini Cooper and Cooper "S", won the Monte Carlo rallies in 1964, 1965 and 1967. They also become first in 1966 but were disqualified due to some alleged technicality. Production was discontinued in 2000. The Mini classic shape was registered by the Rover Group as a trade mark.