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Book Description
The real story of the Mini, published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this design classic.
Product Description
How do you make an object that changes the way people think about travel, a small metal box that inspires huge devotion in those who own it, a car that continues to make headlines fifty years after its launch? In May 1959, the first Mini was produced on an assembly line at Cowley, near Oxford. It would take a team of supremely talented designers, draftsmen, engineers and production-line workers to build a car that was unique in appearance and construction. They would clash frequently over an uncomfortable and unsafe prototype, and the public had to be convinced to buy a car that let in two inches of water when it rained. But somehow the Mini became an icon. Originally designed for austerity and efficiency, the car soon came to represent individuality and classlessness. Today, the car is still produced at Cowley - it is now owned by BMW and called the MINI. A great British manufacturing story, it is more popular throughout the world than it has ever been, a symbol of the age that created it. But who makes these things, and what do they think about their work? By meeting the people behind the MINI, Simon Garfield uncovers a fascinating story of British endeavour, ingenuity and masterful marketing. The modern MINI has come a long way from the leaky floor and sliding windows. But throughout its history, the people behind it have always known that they have been making something rare - a car with soul.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and different,
By Matteo_B (Kent UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mini: The True and Secret History of the Making of a Motor Car (Hardcover)
It is slightly cheeky to claim that Simon Garfield is the author of this book because it is not a written history. What Garfield has actually done is interview many of the people who where involved in the development of both the original car and the BMW MINI and woven their responses into an interesting narrative which he fills in occasionally in italic script. Yu won't find much about the car itself here but you will get a fascinating idea of the development and the politics of building and marketing a car. Garfield speaks from everyone from former Chief Executives to shop stewards from Cowley and all this combines into making this an absorbing work which will give pleasure to anyone with an interest in the motor industry.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing for Real Mini enthusiasts,
This review is from: MINI: The True and Secret History of the Making of a Motor Car (Paperback)
This book is all right as far as it goes, but is disappointing as it goes into too much of the BMW MINI story. The original BL Mini is the star performer, the BMW one is just another modern car with a retro look. It is nothing like the original, which was cheap, economical and a real revelation to drive compared with other cars of its day. None of this applies to the BMW MINI. Apart from that, it's a good read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
for Mini and MINI fans,
By
This review is from: Mini: The True and Secret History of the Making of a Motor Car (Hardcover)
I bought this book after attending Mini Utd for the 50th birthday celebrations. I adore my darling car and wanted to know a little more about her heritage. This book proved to be perfect. There is a nice balance of technical and design info, interesting anecdotes and a lot of stories about the love that was poured into making those tiny and very quirky issigonis machines. Apart from the history of the car much of this book provides a social history and an insight to how important building Minis and MINIs has been to thousands of people. Also it was lovely to read how much care went into trying to stay faithful to the original ideas...without the leaky floor and the windows that would freeze up.
An enjoyable read that made me laugh and cry as well as give me an understanding of how much heritage I zip around in.
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