MINI is celebrating 55 years since its first classic model was originally introduced in Britain in 1959.

Original Mini delivered up to the 21st century

It was marketed as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor, and came in different radiator grille, hub caps and paint finishes. The small economy car was also considered a British icon of the 1960s and entered into popular culture with well-publicised purchases by film and music stars.

Designer Alec Issigonis’ concept was both simple and clever,and involved offering lots of interior space combined with minimum exterior dimensions, four seats, low fuel consumption and a reasonable price. These ideas were extended into the 21st century, and ever since BMW took over the MINI brand in 2001, they’ve been trying to keep true to those values.

Today’s range has 7 models in the line-up including the MINI Clubman, the MINI Convertible, the MINI Coupe and the MINI Roadster, going right through to the MINI Countryman and the MINI Paceman. There’s also been reports that MINI could extend its line-up to between eight and ten variants in the future.

55 years of MINI celebrated in the UK

To celebrate the passing of 55 years, MINI enthusiasts from the classic MINI fan club and the MINI community in the UK met up in the county of Kent where they demonstrated their passion for the world’s most famous small car. Guests of honour at the anniversary included Paddy Hopkirk, who achieved the brand’s first win at the Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S 50 years ago.

The vehicles on display ranged from one of the very first models ever made, dating back to 1960 to a classic Mini Clubman Estate and a 25 Special Edition Mini from 1984, through to one of the last classic Minis ever built back in 2000, as well as the new Hardtop launched this year.