17 January 2019
4 Mins read

The Mini turns 60

The year 2019 is a significant one for the British automobile industry, because it marks the 60th anniversary of the birth of a very special car: the Mini.

Unveiled on August 26th, 1959, the British Motor Corporation's Mini became something of a global sensation and, according to its manufacturer, "revolutionised the compact car segment".

It went on to become an iconic car, thanks at least in part to its appearance in the 1969 film The Italian Job, in which three Mini Cooper S getaway cars, loaded with stolen gold, race through the streets of Turin, pursued by the Italian police.

The manufacturer, which is now part of the BMW Group, will be celebrating the 60th anniversary this year by offering just 500 limited-edition three-door Hatch Cooper S models.

Available exclusively in the UK, the car will come with a British racing green paint finish, piano black exterior trim, special anniversary design bonnet stripes and 17-inch alloy wheels.

It will also provide an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging and a rear-view camera, as well as the necessary engine power to accelerate from zero to 62mph in 6.7 seconds.

Mini revealed that the one-off version of the Cooper S will be "the first of many celebrations planned for 2019 that will champion the brand's rich heritage in Britain and its continuous dedication to innovation".

"Much like [original designer] Alex Issigonis' first car in 1959, Mini has continued to push the boundaries whilst keeping creative use of space, driving fun, style and individualisation at its core," the company added.

With just 500 available, most UK drivers won't be able to get their hands on the limited-edition 60th anniversary version of the Hatch Cooper S.

Fortunately, regular and highly popular models such as the Mini Hatchback, Clubman and Countryman are widely available.

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