Customer Reviews

Mini

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As the owner of a classic Mini (1964 Morris Mini Minor) and a 2002 BMW Mini, this book was an extremely satisfying read. While it provides background on the originial Mini (although not to the level of detail that one might find in The Complete Mini by Chris Rees or Essential Mini Cooper by Anders Ditlev Clausager), the bulk of its 95 pages is devoted to the development, manufacturing, and marketing of the new Mini. The text is crisp and concise and is nicely complemented by excellent colour photographs and copious diagrams. Especially interesting are the assembly line photographs that show Minis being manufactured. The book is not just a glorified advertisement for the new Mini. The chapter on driving the new Mini provide objective insights into the Mini's strengths and weaknesses. A few minor criticisms of this book include some sloppy editting. The photograph of Sir Alec Issigonis on page 10 indicates he is posing with a pair of Austin Minis when in fact anyone who knows anything about Minis can clearly tell the two cars in question carry Morris badging. In addition, the book focuses on the US market and ignores any unique approaches to marketing the Mini in other countries (for example, the Canadian Launch Edition is totally overlooked). But despite these minor quibbles, this is a book that every owner of a BMW Mini should add to their bookshelf.

It is a great resource for those interested in the Mini Cooper. It is worth the cost.

The only disappointing thing was that it was stated as being an updated version but was really the one I already owned. But I kept it anyway.