Longbridge, England  - When the first Mini was unveiled to the public in August 1959, it was based on a concept that still applies in the 21st century - compact and economical small cars have a future in times of rising raw material and oil prices.

The British Motor Corporation (BMC) gave Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine "Alec" Issigoinis the task of developing a cheap, small car in the 1950s when fuel prices soared amid the Suez Canal crisis.

The first Mini came with construction details that were far from conventional at the time. To begin with, the car came with front- wheel drive and the constructors turned the engine in such a way that it could be mounted transverse toward the driver cabin. Even the gearbox and differential were placed under the engine to save space. It was the inspiration for most small cars on the road today.

In addition, the box-shaped body with the sharp rear end allows for a longer roof and space for the rear passenger seat. Despite measuring only 3.5 metres in length, the interior cabin offered as much space as a standard sedan of the time which was 1.5 metres longer.

The 1959 Mini was available in two versions - as a Morris Mini-Minor and Austin Seven with only a few details distinguishing the two models. Sir Alec had obviously done his job with the Mini surpassing all expectations. The 37-horsepower car was a good drive, but sales only gradually began to pick up as most customers were obviously hesitant about buying the unusual vehicle.

But influential people took interest. There was a certain John Cooper, who immediately spotted the car's racing potential. Cooper convinced the BMC managers to build 1,000 sport versions with Cooper to receive 2 pounds sterling for every car sold. Nobody at the time ever thought that the 1961 model Mini Cooper would become such a sporting legend.

Surprisingly, the little car really won big rallies and many a racing trophy Several prominent personalities liked the car and popularity soon began to spread to the man down on the street.

Over the years, the Mini underwent makeover after makeover. It was a star in many 1960s and 1970s movies and went on to become something of a style icon with its neat charm. For more than four decades, it rolled off the assembly lines and when production ceased for a little while in 2000, more than 5 million units had hit the roads around the world.

German car maker BMW then bought the brand, began spelling it in capital letters and exhibiting a new MINI in the showrooms with the charms of the old merging with modern safety and other requirements.

Today, the old Mini is revered as a classic while the new MINI has a growing fan base among trendy urbanites. (dpa)