Alec Issigonis - the genius behind the Mini and the Morris Minor - AROnline Alec Issigonis is a famous Entrepreneur. Our tool for managing your permission to our use of cookies is temporarily offline. Youre right about maintenance. Chrysler also took a licence to manufacture the device, which was an integral part of their pioneering overdrive in 1934. Alec Issigonis: The Greek Creator of the Mini Car Sir Alec Issigonis was one of the automotive industry's great independent thinkers. https://www.mini.com/ The irony being, of all the cars built in the world that follow his layout, none carry an Austin or Morris badge. The Austin/Morris Mini was This is the main reason Lord re-hired Issigonis. When he officially retired from BLMC in November 1971, Issigonis was retained by BLMC on an exclusive consultancy agreement, signed off by and reporting to the Chairman, Donald Stokes. The Mini was designed by. It was also a specialist low volume producer of expensive, exclusive sports saloons cars not now associated with Issigonis and was at the same crossroads that so many smaller, upscale producers had been. Harris Mann, having a clean sheet, not giving the Allegro or Princess a hatch in the mid 70s is another matter. I saw about 3 Americas in the wild that I can remember, and 1 example of the earlier MG 1100 Sport Sedan. They kept it several years until they decided they needed their 1st air-conditioned car a 66 LeMans. At this time, he was working for Maurice Olley. He was popular for being a Entrepreneur. Im sure this was never part of Issigoniss plan, as he was anti-style, but only the 1100 benefited from external help. The original plan called for a large family car by 1960, to be followed by a smaller car and then a city car. Sir Alec Issigonis - Small Cars, Big Ideas - Cars Less Traveled This was to be an advanced saloon with all aluminium V-8 engine, and the original plan was for Alvis to produce 5,000 cars a year, or ten times Alviss current production rate, to compete with Riley (not then a badge engineered BMC product), Rover, Sunbeam-Talbot and Jaguar. Issigonis continued to work as Engineering Director at the Austin-Morris Division of BMC, and as Technical Director of BMC in 1965. By October 1959, the Mini was on sale and when the press first got their hands on BMCs new car, they were not shy to praise it; the Minis unique personality, exceptional space efficiency, lively performance and tenacious front-wheel-drive handling meant that it was a sure fire hit with the critics. I got to drive his Red mini when I went for fish and chips on a Friday. [], By Clifford Webb British Leyland are selling the Mini at a loss despite the latest price increase and the fact that after 14 years it is still their top export [], Lord Stokes writes to Sir Alec Issigonis on this day. A very enjoyable read on a man whose name I knew in conjunction with so many brilliant designs, but who I previously knew little about. Constantine studied in England. Like many famous people and celebrities, Alec Issigonis kept his personal life private. But this also reflects Issigoniss personal characteristics he was a strong minded, stubborn and arrogant man who did did not always have a lot of respect for others opinions and suggestions. Updates? An amazing man, and someone who would probably never rise to prominence in todays auto industry. Smrna was then the second city of the Ottoman Empire and had a local population of around one million, of which more than half were Greek. He showed that cars could be practical and pleasant to ride in and drive, and that size was not everything; he defined the template for the small petrol engined car for 50 years, maybe longer, and showed how modest cars could become wish list items, attracting customer such as Enzo Ferrari. There he witnessed the awe inspiring (and Nazi funded) Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix cars, as well as the Alfa Romeo P3 of Nuvolari, which won the race, much to the Nazis discomfort. In 1957, Issigonis received the project that would make him famous. Omissions? By the mid 1970s, Issigonis was beginning suffer from Menieres disease, and the consequent loss of full control of his balance let him to retreat from prominence. I remember the Austin America when new, not an impressive car to me in any way . MG 1100/1300 Register - NAMGBR It did not have everything Issigonis wanted, as he originally planned this car to have a V4 engine rather than the BMC A series. Noch ein Mini (A Mini! This prototype was never manufactured because its cost was beyond Alvis's resources. Probably the closest British comparison is the Jaguar Mk 1 which came out in 1955 and was produced at a rate of around 10-15,000 for thirteen years. But the story begins even further back, with a man named Demosthenis, Alec's grandfather, who emigrated from Greece to Asia-Minor in the 1830s and worked for the Smyrna-Aydn Railway. He designed the Mini, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and voted the second most influential car of the 20th century in 1999. The car was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show, alongside the Land Rover and Jaguar XK120, and the rest is pure CC history. Many did not even make it through the warranty period without the transmission self-destructing. Sir Alec Issigonis. Stooping just under six feet in height, he looms large at any [], By GEOFFREY CHARLES, Motoring Correspondent A high-level reshuffle of BMC directors areas of responsibility was announced yesterday as part of a streamlining process before completion of the BMH-Leyland merger. an alec issigonis family car launched in 1969 (6,4) Crossword Clue Your article sure did him justice; thank you, Roger. People of this zodiac sign like truth, being right, longtime friends, teasing, and dislike dishonesty, revealing secrets, passive people. When we stopped sending children up chimneys we reemployed them to work or minis. Issigonis went into the motor industry as an engineer and designer working for Humber and competed successfully in motor racing during the 1930s and 1940s. . By October 1957, Issigonis had shown Lord a working prototype and the decision had been made to manufacture the car, using the existing BMC A series engine. His grandfather Demosthenis Issigonis . Diz lenda que ele considerava a rigidez . Vic Oak and Reginald Hanks, Morriss Managing Director did though, arranging a 50% salary increase for Issigonis in April 1948, to 1500 per year. That's exactly what he did. Bedtime story - Alec Issigonis - Enthusiasts of British Motor Vehicles Moulton also designed folding, rubber suspended small-wheeled bicycles. But his true interest was in the 9X and its power unit, and getting a version of it accepted by BL. He lived and worked in England " A camel is a horse designed by a committee " " Pure Math is the enemy of every truly creative man" Sir Alec's grandfather Demosthenes was sort of a mechanical genius having . Having failed his mathematics exams three times, subsequently declaring it 'the most uncreative subject you can study',[3] Issigonis decided to enter the University of London External Programme to complete his university education. JUMP TO: Alec Issigoniss biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. He attended London's Battersea Polytechnic before entering the University of London External Programme. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. Contents Early life and education Career Legacy Honours Some of his cars Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, CBE, FRS (November 18, 1906-October 2, 1988) was a Greek-British designer of cars, now remembered chiefly for the development of the Mini, launched by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in 1959.. Alec Issigonis . Probably 30 of these made over the past dozen years, not quite Mini production numbers.. Another excellent piece Roger, and thank you for bringing it to us. Alec Issigonis was born in the Year of the Horse. Alec Issigonis Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Relationships, Married, Dating, Family, Wiki Biography . Heynes later became Technical Director at Jaguar and was a personal friend of Issigonis for many years. . Born Alexandros Arnoldos Konstantinos Issigonis on the 18th of November, 1906, Alexander Issigonis' family were part of the Greek community in the port city of Smrna. Issigonis became a fellow of the Royal Society in 1967 and was knighted in 1969. The gearbox sharing the sump oil worked ok, but the transmission absolutely pulverised the lubricating qualities out of the oil, and it really required changing every 3000 miles if you wanted the thing to last. It certainly appeared by the Maxi development era that Issigonis wanted to "do his own thing" as cost cutting and development costs spiraled. Alec Issigonis was a hugely . Issigonis had also been involved in the larger Oxford, Isis and Wolseley ranges. He was a race car driver during the 30s and 40s. Back in 1980 a friends father of mine who was a MP sergeant owned a then new Mini Cooper 1275 cc. Morris Minor 1000s , Dropheads, Travelers , Panel Van, and Pick up trucks. Whos the richest Entrepreneur in the world. The ways in which things went sour for BMC , and for Alec himself, are all too well known: but with this little car, they surely both earned a big place in history. The loss of British sovereignty led not only to a political defeat but also to an oil crisis. Biography: Sir Alec Issigonis - The Designer of Britain's Favourite Issigoniss legacy is undoubtedly best seen through his cars, from the Minor to the Maxi, which challenged conventions through engineering ingenuity. The Creator of An Iconic Car: Alec Issigonis. - Mini Independence is one of their greatest strengths, but sometimes they're overly frank with others. Copyright 2011 - 2023 Curbside Classics. But there were other 20th century cataclysms that he lived and worked through as a designer - including the Suez crisis of 1956. The suspension was also of advanced design, with trailing arm front suspension attached to a steel cross-member, and swing axle rear, all with rubber springs made of catapult elastic. Alec Issigonis - Wikipedia Issigonis spent his early years as an engineer with Morris Motors working on steering and suspension. The war years were spent. He convinced Issigonis to ready the Mini for the Rallye Monte Carlo. Constantine married a German lady whose name was Hulda Prokopp and in 1906 they had a baby who they named Alexander Arnold Issigonis, or Alec to his family. Sir Alec Issigonis hadn't even seen a car until he was 12 years old. It was at Alvis that Issigonis first worked with another of the influential characters of his career. His mother was from Bavaria. He failed his degree course but gained a diploma in Mechanical Engineering, at the third attempt, in 1928. Sir Alec Issigonis - Person - National Portrait Gallery [], BMC changed the world with the launch of the Mini in 1959. In conjunction with Issigonis work, Lord contracted Pininfarina to lead the styling of BMCs new cars, starting with the conventionally engineered Austin A40 Farina in 1958. Morris 1100. Issigonis made a grandfather clock from it, which kept good time. Issigonis' creation was remarkable, but it really only became a Mini when he got a little help from his friend, motorsport pioneer John Cooper. Shunning all offers of silver service with the management. RM G4TJWM - Alec Issigonis, creator of the British Motor Corporation 'Mini' car range, drives the 1,000,000th Mini off the production line at the Austin Plant at Longbridge, Birmingham. Innovative. Nkter data mohou pochzet z datov poloky. He also had plans for a flat four cylinder engine, and at frequentlychallenged convention and Morris Motors conservatism. " Sir Alec Issigonis. If only it had had more power and better gearing. I witnessed blowing head gaskets, torn manifold studs and much more and found out that taking the engine out first was the quickest access for any of these repairs! Alec Issigonis and Dr Alex Moulton, the creator of Hydrolastic and Hydragas suspension, with a Morris 1100, circa 1962. IAN NICHOLLS recalls the day the two millionth rolled off the production line [], A team of the worlds leading motoring writers, along with voters on the internet, have short-listed the legendary Mini for the ultimate motoring accolade the international Car of the [], THE GUARDIAN Lord Stokes writes about the late Sir Alec Issigonis: Alec Issigonis was a very charming and persuasive person, and a brilliant innovative engineer with a considerable capacity for [], Rover Group consultant Sir Alec Issigonis writes to chairman Graham Day. Alec Issigonis. He was known for being a Entrepreneur. Suffice to say it was an ambitious project for a family of compact cars - the smaller of the pair shorter overall than . The [], CARS AND DRIVERS by GEOFFREY CHARLES Whatever the outcome of the BMH-Leyland merger in model rationalization, intensified marketing or expansion-and any joint project will not appear for at least 3 [], MOTOR WHY IS THE ADO16? A testament to brilliant design or to the modern industrys tendencies towards aversion of risk, I wont say surely some of both. Fascinating piece and what a character! Sticks in my mind I read a road test that put engine speed at 60 around 4,000rpm. The Renault 14 was transversely engined, from 1976. Born in Turkey, Issigonis come to England as a teenager. Sixty years ago today . Etsy Search for items or shops Close search Skip to Content Sign in 0 Cart Cyber Sales Event Jewelry & Accessories Clothing & Shoes Lord (later Lord Lambury, above) had big ambitions for BMC and initially tasked Issigonis with developing the basis for a range of modern family cars to replace the existing collection of BMC products. Intriguingly, it seems that the car was possibly designed to be suitable for a front wheel drive layout, with a flat floor and compact Moulton rubber cone suspension, leaving a large and spacious engine bay. Great summary of a giant of industrial design. Starting around 1930, he raced a supercharged "Ulster" Austin Seven, later fitting it with a front axle of his own design, leading to employment at Austin. Sir Alec Constantine Issigonis: The Greek who designed the legendary BMC had internally identified the need to move on from the concepts behind the Minor and A30, leaving behind the classic front engine, semi-elliptic spring concept but there was little clarity on which direction was perceived to be the way to go. Production only finished after BMW had bailed out of Rover in 2000. A truly great man and an honour for me. Certainly, it was not the right job for him, taking him too far away from the sketching and ideas, and into meetings about pay scale reviews and marketing policies. John Daly, Your email address will not be published. It was more like a Lancia or a rear drive Citroen than a Rover or a Sunbeam-Talbot. Essay on The Pure Voice in Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles. The greatest overall compatibility with Scorpio is Taurus and Cancer. Demosthenis's son (Alec's father) Constantine Issigonis (Greek: ), was born, with British nationality, in Smyrna in 1872. At some point in the mid-60s they ran an After the New Wears Off feature by an MG 1100 owner in Los Angeles. Not something one would anticipate until it is experienced. Alec issigonis hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Perhaps it was a trait that ran in the family. But at the age of 50, he began designing one of the most iconic vehicles ever produced: the classic Mini. The childhood . Alec Issigonis was born in Smyrna (now Izmir) in Turkey on 18 November 1906 to a British-naturalized father of Greek origin and a Bavarian-born mother. It amounted to no more than surface rust on the chassis. Alec Issigonis Facts for Kids - Kiddle British car designer best remembered for his work on the development of the iconic Mini. [17], Learn how and when to remove this template message, 1938 Issigonis Lightweight Special at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, "The creator of an iconic car: Alec Issigonis", "The Genuine MOKE | Steer clear of imitations | Story", "Pre de l'Austin "Mini" Alec Issigonis est mort", "Review of 'The Thames and Hudson Dictionary of Design Since 1900 (2nd edition)', "Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis. The Axis Powers? Alec Issigonis nasceu na Turquia Filho de um grego naturalizado britnico casado com uma turca. Ultimately, Alvis had to cancel the project, after the first prototype had been built but before the company had committed to the expenditure of production tooling. His mother was Bavarian, the daughter of a brewer. Sir Alex Arnold Constantine Issigonis (1906-1988) - Find a Grave Ive never been inside a Landcrab or a Maxi, but I understand that while they are very spacious, the ergonomics are pretty poor. When I was in grade school in the mid-70s, the next door neighbor of my best friend had 6 Minis. Did they aim to build in greater volume, to compete with emerging brands such as Jaguar, or did they retreat further upmarket or even entirely into other activities? The closure of the Suez canal created . Issigonis studied engineering at Battersea Polytechnic in London. The Lightweight Special - TNF's Archive - The Autosport Forums Sir Alec Issigonis 1906 - 1988 - Solar Navigator Issigonis was born in Smyrna in 1906. Alec Issigonis Biography | HowOld.co *27/02/01 The new Mini which will go on sale in the UK summer 2001, was , being unveiled for the first time. His iconoclasm ensured that, despite the constraints of working in an industry where the size and complexity of the process meant that even the most forceful of designers was only one member of a large team, Issigonis cars bore his own stamp from the 1948 Morris Minor to the 1969 Maxi. Alexander Issigonis was born into the Greek community of Smyrna (now Izmir) in Ottoman Turkey. He persisted in this into the 1980s, competing in vain against the Austin Metro, an improved version of the BMC A series engine and seemingly oblivious to the Companys financial state. Happy birthday to the Mini! [13], He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1967. Building 9400 Oxford Business Park North Alec Issigonis Way Oxford OX4 2HN As you know I was away when the little ceremony took place to mark your retirement and I have, of [], Sir Alec Issigonis, designer of the Mini, among other cars, is to remain design consultant with British Leyland after he goes into semi-retirement at the end of the month. During 1956 Issigonis concentrated on the larger two cars, producing several prototypes for testing. It was, though, used on the postwar MG Y Type saloons. Alec Issigonis (Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis) was born in Smyrna in the Ottoman Empire (now Izmir, Turkey). While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. During this time he started to build a special sprint racer with a friend. I dont remember Dad as being what youd call a sporting driver, but he never considered the later Austin-based Oxfords. He was flattered to be copied, though. I remember seeing early Civics with trunks and the early VW Dasher had a trunk, in spite of its fastback bodywork. Young Alec grew up in a very affluent environment, with influences from Germany and Greece (he grew up speaking German and Greek), rather than Turkey and Britain. It was apparent to Morriss senior managers that Issigonis was cut from a different cloth compared to his contemporaries. His little cars were a success despite him. The Motor Museum in Miniature [9] He was cremated at the Lodge Hill Cemetery in nearby Selly Oak. He was impossible to work with, had Henry Fords arrogance and nearly bankrupted the company like Ford, by refusing to listen to anyone. Towards the end of WW2, he began work on the Mosquito project, which ended up being launched in 1948 as the Morris Minor. Below are all possible answers to this clue ordered by its rank. Chinese Zodiac: Alec Issigonis was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Absolutely brilliant article about an engineering genius. By the time the chassis had been completed, Issigonis had somehow got hold of an Austin supplied works specification supercharged side-valve engine as well. info@oxbotica.com +44 (0)1865 433 998. Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, CBE, FRS terkenal kerana menjadi pencipta kereta Mini yang menjadi ikon tahun 1960-an. For his accomplishments, Queen Elizabeth knighted Issigonis in 1969. Oxford Study Courses Issigonis who designed the Mini auto Crossword Clue The Crossword Solver found 30 answers to "Issigonis who designed the Mini auto", 4 letters crossword clue. I wanted to know the genesis. By placing an A series four cylinder engine transversely with the gearbox underneath in the sump and sharing the oil, and moving the wheels to the corners, he saved so much space that it was possible to accommodate a four seat car within a length of 10 feet. After returning to England in 1922, he enrolled in engineering school, failing mathematics at every turn. I was amazed at the amount of space in that car you could even hide things in the cubbyhole under the rear seat. He died in October 1988, aged 82. SOL 258H is the oldest surviving gearless car and was the preferred transport of Sir Alex Issigonis. At the opening of the factory BMC was represented by Sir Alec Issigonis. A British citizen born in Turkey in 1906, Issigonis did not see an automobile until he was 12 years old. Alec Issigonis Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts As such he was of the generation who experienced the privations of two apocalyptic world wars. Alec Issigonis - Trivia, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays MINI. Issigonis designed a unitary construction saloon and the V8 engine, and utilised Moultons latest interconnected rubber suspension. His last Morris projects were the 1953 Morris Oxford and Isis saloons, launched after the BMC merger, and which used the BMC B series engine. Sir Alec Issigonis ( 1906-1988 ) was an exceptional car designer who is best known for his development of the Mini.He was born in Smyrna ( Izmir ) in Turkey, the son of British-Greek parents. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. as an American familiar only with U.S. cars. . [1][2], Issigonis was born on 18 November 1906 in the Ottoman port city of Smyrna, the only child of Constantine Issigonis and Hulda Prokopp. I have liked them ever since. Alec Issigonis was born on the 18th of November, 1906. Alec Issigonis was a Greek-British automobile engineer and designer, best known for designing the Mini, a compact car that became a cultural icon in Britain and other countries. A colleague of his had a VW Polo then and kept shaking his head: Well, yes, if there were no other compact cars in the world , Mr. Roger Carr, Thank you. Issigonis and Dowson then travelled into Austria to the mountain climb competition at the then new Grossglockner Hochalpen Pass. The lower picture is is an early (1958) Issigonis drawing of his vision for the Mini. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIFE OF THE MINI FOUNDER. He attended Londons Battersea Polytechnic before entering the University of London External Programme. Day terminated the consultancy agreement, without any more consultation. He became the engineering director of the British Motor Corporation in 1964, and was . He was a complex man, with a complex background, family story and career. In 1952, the year BMC was formed, he moved to Alvis where he designed an advanced saloon, and experimented with interconnected independent suspension systems. That is how many of us know about these cars or about many 1960s British cars, in general. We now call them Real Minis, to distinguish them from the post 2001 imitations. On the right is Alec Issigonis and standing next to him is John Cooper. It had one option an AM radio, hung below the dash. 104 Alec Issigonis Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images Alec's mother, Hulda Prokopp, could trace her origins back to Wrttemberg (now part of Germany). I tell you the last time I was that close to a Japanese machine, it was shooting at me.. However, at the end of 1956, following fuel rationing brought about by the Suez Crisis, Issigonis was ordered by Lord to bring the smaller car, XC/9003, to production as quickly as possible. A family that . LJK Setright, in his book The Designers describes Issigonis as working as a sculptor works, moving masses into different juxtapositions until his trained eye told him they were right. PDF SIR ALEC ISSIGONIS was an automobile engineer whose name will always be At the time of his retirement, 71, hatchbacks were not the thing they were 4 years later. Stokes was heard on his appointment to say: "We'll sharp sort this bloke Issigonis out!".

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