Forerunner Of Our Modern Front Wheel Drive Autos – The Austin Mini Motor-Car

Think of the “Mod 1960’s” – Carnaby Street , Apple Records with the Beatles et al and most likely you will picture that cute little , or almost ugly “Austin Mini” motor-car vehicle. No doubt about it – the marvelous Mini set the stage for the worldwide acceptance of small front wheel drive , transversely laid out engines front wheel drive automotive car engine designs that we take for granted on our roads and highways today.

For example to begin with the Austin Mini – in its various forms is credited widely as being the inspiration for the global block buster car seller – the Honda Civic, which in itself set the basis and backbone for many of the current automobile models that we consider today as our basic standards. To start with the mini was a runt – no more than ten feet long between its bumpers – when automobiles on the roads and highways of the USA were boats and behemoths. On top of that compared to similar vehicles on the road, it had less than half the horsepower. Top that with an actual starter motor button on the floor back of the manual stick shift, located back (towards the rear window) of the floor mounted, through a hole in the floorboards, manual transmission stick.

Initially the car was released in two almost identical variations – an Austin badged product , and an identical product introduced into the marketplace as a “Mini Minor”. It seems that the two products were produced at two different factories and divisions in the U.K. – the Austin and Morris automotive factories. Part of this decision were production allotments – some centered on consumer marketing preferences. Just as in Canada and in the US where similar products from different automotive divisions of the same manufacturers had downright die hard fans and loyalists. In the same way that some auto buyers and consumers were die-hard Ford or Mercury “men”, while others preferred similar Pontiac products over Chevy branded autos – auto enthusiasts might swear by their nearly identical Austin Se7en’s or Morris Mini-Minors.

The Austin Mini – as the product eventually came to be known as – entered full and single factory product name and one single solitary car “badge”, at the end of the 1960’s decade. Now it was the Austin “Mini” and nothing but. Yet the Mini has had not one form – unlike the Ford Model T – that came in any color you wanted as long as it was black. The mini itself has come in many differing and varied forms – from the standard 2 door Saloon , to “Club” station wagons. Many of the cars were painted with one color for the body, and then a white roof. Owner’s of the vehicles , ever loyal , formed clubs and gave gentle honks of recognition to each other while driving on the roads and highways.

Yet the Mini suffered a host of problems – especially in the “export market”. These were problems, errors and mistakes that the Japanese auto industry , could later use to good lesson , when it came time for them to enter the American auto market – ultimately very successfully. One was that the auto seemed to be designed for the British market, geography, driving conditions and climate. True the Mini was fun to drive , could pack in passengers , luggage and groceries in a small space. Yet it was underpowered when it came to the growing American highway system and daily commutes. In addition the cooling system seemed to be developed for more temperate climes. Austin car owners and their passengers often sweltered in a hot American summer , while freezing with an inadequate heating system come cold Canadian winters. The car seemed to have devised and developed for British temperate climate and small scale higher speeds. In addition parts availability for repairs , as well as trained mechanics, other than at higher priced British car dealerships seem to scare away more than one potential auto customer – or one looking to finance their new or used vehicle.

BC Lower Mainland Vancouver Auto Financing