The Suez oil crisis in 1957 led to petrol rationing making small, economical cars amazingly popular. In response Sir Leonard Lord instructed Alec Issigonis to urgently set about designing a small, practical and novel saloon car. Work on the Mini was carried out at a furious rate by Alec Issigonis and a team of engineers, and by October 1957 the first two prototypes were running, both painted bright orange.
Mass production of the Mini kicked off on May 8th 1959, and by August 26th several
thousand had been built and delivered to dealers, costing £496. Two versions were available: the Morris Mini-Minor and the Mini Se7en, distinguished by their different badges and grilles.
