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.