Thanks for the full history. I said "sort of" because I didn't know if it
had actually ceased production yet or was going to do so shortly. I had
heard the end was near.
Paul Hunt had this to say:
>No 'sort of' in production about it. It's in full flow (well, as much flow
>as a 40 year old classic can generate) at the moment although ceases
>production in a few months time as it is no longer able to meet EC
>regulations. It originally started as two models - the Austin Seven and the
>Morris Mini Minor before becoming just 'Mini'. It spawned a significant
>number of derivatives like the luxury Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf, the
>minimalist Mini Moke, vans (my first 4-wheeler), pick-ups, plus performance
>Cooper and Cooper 'S' versions which would have won the Monte Carlo Rally
>en-masse five times running if they had not been disqualified on a
>technicality (by the French) in the third or fourth year. Star of the
>ultra-classic 'The Italian Job'. In the early 70s a chap called Greenaway
>or Greenwood raced one very successfully in a motorbike and sidecar class -
>it was within class rules because it had a pair of close-coupled wheels at
>the rear rather than the standard rear sub-frame. The driver and passenger
>sat in the normal front seats, and while most sidecar occupants have a very
>perilous existence this chap could just sit there and enjoy the ride owing
>to the stupendous roadholding and cornering ability. So stupendous that
>they had to start from the back of the grid but usually won. The Mini was
>not actively marketed for many years and a lot of people thought it was no
>longer available. Discovering that it was spawned a bit of a boom in sales
>and a flood of special editions in the past few years. A cult in Japan.
>
>PaulH.
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Max Heim <mvheim@studiolimage.com>
>To: Robert Sexson <rsexson@excite.com>; MG List <mgs@autox.team.net>
>Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 3:48 AM
>Subject: Re: Aston [sic] Mini
>
>
>> Presumably you mean an AUSTIN Mini, the original front-wheel-drive,
>> transverse engine sub-compact, designed by Alec Issigonis. Used the
>> A-series Austin engine, same as the Sprite and early Midget. Millions
>> sold worldwide, and still in production (sort of) so not exactly rare,
>> but not all that common in the US, either. Fanatic club support. Parts
>> widely available. Quick when setup properly, but spartan to the extreme.
>> If you enjoy driving a Spridget with the hardtop on, you may be a
>> candidate for Mini ownership. Does that answer your question?
>>
>> Robert Sexson had this to say:
>>
>> >Can anyone describe an Aston Mini for me? A friend told me of a 63
>> >[basket case] for sale. $800 OBO
>> >R. Sexson
>> >
>> >74.5 B
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >Get 100% FREE Internet Access powered by Excite
>> >Visit http://freelane.excite.com/freeisp
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Max Heim
>> '66 MGB GHN3L76149
>> If you're near Mountain View, CA,
>> it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
>>
>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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