Google News linked this great article from the Scottish Daily Record today, amusing enough for me to re-post it …
It started as a little giant but conquered the world. Perfect for parking, a hot favourite with the stars and simply oozing sex appeal, the Mini celebrates 50 glorious years this month.
It was born in 1957 as Britain’s answer to the fuel shortage which followed the Suez crisis.
The British Motor Corporation asked car designer Alec Issigonis to come up with a small family saloon that would eke the most out of a gallon of petrol …
It had a slow start. Only 20,000 were produced in the first year.
The first million Minis were produced by 1965.
The two-million mark came in 1969.
The best year for sales was 1971, with more than 318,000 Minis produced worldwide.
Lots more classic Mini info points, but nothing on the new MINI …
M&I / GBMINI 
I saw an introductory run of the Mini,red,white,blue, at Brands Hatch Race Circuit. It was a great display. Still one of the best cars produced in the past 50 years!