Test Austin Mini, the genesis of a legend

When in 1956 an oil crisis affects the whole world, and the car industry is booming what to do?

Well, the choice is quickly made, create a small compact and economic car, here is the Austin Mini.

Beginning its history as a simple small cheap car the mini quickly became a monument of the automobile, with its small size and its light chassis it quickly conquered the English families but not only...

Once this crisis was over the rally was born, discipline in which the Mini proves to be very efficient with its limited weight, but not only on track and winding roads the little English car did not have to pale in comparison with its powerful German competitors.

On the contrary, as soon as the road starts to be winding, the Mini will take advantage of its small size to leap from bend to bend and with a short gearbox it will be even more lively.

But let's get back to our test drive, once you're on board you'll easily notice that the car is indeed not adapted to tall people, knees in the steering wheel you then start to discover the car.

And it's not only the cabin that is small, the pedals are rather tiny but this is to the benefit of a faster movement of the brake to the gas pedal.

Once on the road, it is easy to get used to, the lightness of the car makes you forget about the non-assisted steering, which is accompanied by a feeling of being in a go-kart, each turn becomes a pleasure to take.

Finally on this model the original gearbox has been replaced by a short gearbox, increasing even more the pleasure of accelerations on board.

With these few laps we understand why this Mini was so successful in its time, whether for Sunday drivers or in competition on land or on track.

Owner https://www.instagram.com/paul.strieb/?hl=fr

Non contractual pictures of the owner's car