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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Mini
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Britain's bestselling car of all time (5.3 million by 1992) and one of the two outstanding designs by Alec *Issigonis. When launched by the *British Motor Corporation in 1959, the Mini was a sensation on two counts: its price, just under £500; and its size for a four-seater car (3.05m/10ft long, achieved by placing the 848 cc engine sideways under the bonnet). It also held the road superbly, with its front-wheel drive and independent suspension. The car was at first marketed under both the Morris and Austin labels (there were straight lines on the radiator grille of the Morris Mini and wavy lines on an Austin). From 1961 a faster version, designed by John *Cooper, was available as the Mini-Cooper.
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