Papercraft model of the Austin/Morris Mini Cooper S, the British compact that became a rally legend and cultural symbol of the 1960s.
| Manufacturer | Austin/Morris |
|---|---|
| Season | 1964 |
| Category | Classics |
| Scale | 1:30 |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Estimated time | 2-3 hours |
| Print format | 1 A4 sheets |
| Source | Unknown |
What you'll need: 200-250 gsm paper or cardstock, scissors or a craft knife, a ruler and glue stick.
The Mini Cooper S won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967, proving that size was no obstacle against much bigger, more powerful rivals.
The original Mini debuted in 1959, designed by Alec Issigonis for the British Motor Corporation as a response to the Suez fuel crisis and the demand for a small, cheap and efficient car. Its transverse engine and front-wheel-drive layout, revolutionary for the time, freed up nearly the entire cabin for passengers despite the car's tiny footprint. Racing driver and constructor John Cooper spotted the model's sporting potential and worked with Issigonis to create the Cooper S, fitted with a more powerful engine and disc brakes for competition.
At the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally three Mini Cooper S cars crossed the line in the top three positions, only for organizers to disqualify them over a disputed reading of the headlight-bulb regulations, handing victory to a French Citroën instead. The model reclaimed its prestige by winning again in 1967, and it became a pop-culture fixture thanks to its starring role in the film "The Italian Job" (1969), where three Minis pull off a spectacular chase through the streets of Turin. The Mini brand was later acquired by BMW, which relaunched the model in 2001 while keeping its original compact, sporty spirit.