Munich / Honolulu. Seven models here, six major islands
there. Exemplary low-emissions engines on one hand, relentlessly fuming
volcanos on the other. At first glance, the British car brand MINI and the
Pacific island group of Hawaii appear to have nothing in common - yet both have
a fun and quirky charm. MINI is to its worldwide fan community what Hawaii is
to the USA: an expression of the pure joy of living. And they happen to
celebrate an anniversary at almost exactly the same time: on August 21st 1959
Hawaii became the 50th US state, while the classic Mini was officially
presented for the first time just five days later, on August 26th 1959.
The birth of the classic MINI 54 years ago saw the start of
one of the automotive industry's most spectacular success stories. The small
car created by legendary designer Alec Issigonis astounded everyone with its
creative use of space that maximised room for passengers and luggage without
compromising the Mini’s compact proportions. The classic Mini pioneered design
principals which impacted generations of small cars, with a transverse mounted
engine, front-wheel drive and wheels in all four corners remaining part of the
MINI DNA today.