Sir Alec
Issigonis ( 1906-1988 ) was an exceptional car designer who is
best known for his development of the Mini.He was born in Smyrna (
Izmir ) in Turkey, the son of British-Greek parents.
The
Morris Minor and the Austin 1100 were also designed by Alec Issigonis.
His influence on the British motor industry should never be
underestimated and his contribution to Morris Motors and the
British Motor Corporation ( BMC ) was invaluable.
Issigonis
spent his early years as an engineer with Morris Motors working on
steering and suspension. The war years were spent in military work at
the Morris Motors Cowley plant near Oxford.
Working
under the chief engineer, Issigonis excelled in his work on the Morris
Minor. He soon became trusted enough to take full control of the
project and he went on to create a completely new body shape.
The
radical new design received mixed reactions initially with William
Morris furiously describing it as a poached egg. However, when it was
finally launched at the Earls Court Motor Show in September 1948, any
misgivings were swept aside as the car went on to become a successful
icon of the British motor industry. Over 1.6 million units were
produced at Cowley and in Birmingham.
In
1952, Morris Motors merged with the Austin Motor Company to form the
British Motor Corporation ( BMC ). Issigonis resigned and went to work
for Alvis for a short time before being invited back to BMC by Sir
Leonard Lord.
Tasked
with a new project to design an economical inexpensive four seater
vehicle Issigonis came up with the Mini, a vehicle that was
revolutionary for its time and which was to become Europe's best
selling car.
The
Mini, through clever design made the most amazing use of every bit of
space within the body. The engine in particular was crammed into such a
small space that it left so much more room for the interior which was
spacious and innovative by existing standards in the motor industry.
The
Mini became the car of the sixties. No other car, with the possible
exception of the VW Beatle, can claim to have had such a popular
following. Celebrities raved about it, films such as the 'Italian Job'
idolised it. Owning a Mini was the status symbol of the decade.
Since
its launch by BMC in 1959, five million Minis were produced. The Mini
Cooper became a legend in racing circles. This car could perform,
corner and out manouvre the competition and it looked cool too.
Alec
Issigonis went on to develop the popular 1100 series which had similar
characteristics to the Mini, on which much of it was based, and which
was also a very popular family car. The Austin 1100 actually became
Britain's best selling car and outsolde the Mini.
Alec
Issigonis was knighted in 1969 in recognition of his contribution the
motor industry. He passed away in 1988.
Production
of the Classic Mini ended in the year 2000 after over 40 years which is
almost unheard of in the motor industry. So popular is its image,
reputation, style and legendary qaulities, it still continues today
under the stewardship of BMW.
A lot of
people owe an awful lot to Alec Issigonis.
