The Mini Cooper is a sporty urban mini of the British Motor Corporation’s (BMC) Mini line. The Mini Cooper is a fashion statement in the world of automobiles. Its popularity has spanned generations, gaining ground in rallies and in various international cultural movements since its humble beginnings in 1961.

The Cooper model was a collaborative project between John Cooper of Cooper Car Company and Sir Alec Issigonis of BMC. The inspiration for a sporty Mini was borne out of Cooper’s background as a Formula One designer. The Cooper had features that were never before used in small cars. The first models to come out were the Austin Mini and the Morris Mini.

The Cooper S was subsequently released in 1963. The S featured a powerful engine, which helped cement its place in the annals of Moto Rally history. The racing victories soon helped boost sales, and the economical and agile car’s popularity rose steadily.

Issues with royalties soon affected the sales of Coopers in the UK. In 1971, the design was licensed to manufacturers in other countries.

In 1990 the demand for Coopers rose, and production resumed in 1991 after twenty years. Various engine improvements were introduced in the 90s, which marked the end of production for the whole line.