[meany]

does anyone know a good website or have information on the history of the MINI?

things like who designed it, release dates, numbers sold and stuff like that would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance!

[Mike Clarke]

I think you have already found it

[Rakey]

I like this site for history info, but take some of it with a pinch of salt, as its written by a Rover fan, so is a bit biased on the way BMW retained the MINI brand

The UNOFFICIAL Austin-Rover Web Resource

There are also a few good books that you can buy too on the subject if you have a look on Amazon

[jon vital]

Does anyone have any pics/vids of the unveiling of the prototype? I remember seeing it on the news when it was driven out and thinking it will probably not look as cool as that when it actually goes on sale.

[Rakey]

More history information can be found here too

http://www.mini2.com/article405-the-...e-to-mini.html

I'd also suggest having a read of MotoringFile » R50

[mab01uk]

I have the original BBC news report of the MINI unveiling on stage at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1997 on an old video tape somewhere. I searched but can't seem to find it on the internet? It may also be on some of the Mini/MINI history DVDs?
I think the MINI was actually a body mock up on Fiat Punto running gear and was previewed early to spoil the press launch of the A-Class for Mercedes!
I also think this was the new MINI I saw shown by Rover at a special public preview to Mini enthusiasts at the Minis 40th birthday celebration at Silverstone in August 1999.

[mab01uk]

Have now found my news clip videos of the unveiling of the MINI prototype to the world media, (by Nick Stephenson Rover Group Design Director) the day before the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show. It includes interviews with Nick Stephenson and the late John Cooper.
I will transfer it to DVD and try to put some clips on You Tube in the next few weeks if no one else has yet?

Also found some spyshots from a 1999 CH5 Driven programme of 3 of the disguised MINI prototypes on the road. I looked up their registration numbers on the DVLA website which gives the following details on the these first MINI's :-
N735 FYB - Rover Mini - First registered 11 Sep 1998 - 1589cc - White - last taxed until 1 Mar 2000.
N279 NWS - Rover - First registered 11Sep1998 - 1589cc - Green - last taxed until 1 Sep 2000.
(Export)
N216 FYA - Rover - First registered 21Jan1999 - 1588cc - Grey - last taxed until 28 July 2000.
Were their others caught on camera and do any still exist or were they all scrapped? What happened to the first production MINI no.1?
(The original classic Mini no.1 621 AOK as most people know was bought back by BMC and is in the Gaydon Motor Museum)