The childhood . A truly fascinating man he was. as an American familiar only with U.S. cars. Remembering Designer of the Mini Cooper, Alec Issigonis The ease of driving it, attributable to Issigoniss careful and thoughtful suspension and steering design, as well as the comparatively low weight of the car, were factors in that as well as the comfort and space it provided. Joseph Lowrey, MOTOR: As soon [], Mr Alec Issigoniss New B.M.C. His retirement gift from the company was the largest available Meccano set, complete with a steam engine. In 1922 the family left Turkey for England, as all British people were banished from the country. The first car I could identify was apparently a Mini and my mother still tells the story of an early trip to England where I wouldnt be quiet Ein Mini! Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Rover used the freewheel extensively, on cars and Land Rovers, into the 1960s. [], 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. Alexandros Arnold Constantine Issigonis, more commonly known as Alec Issigionis, was born in Smyrna, Asia Minor, on November 18, 1906. Born in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire (now zmir, Turkey) on November 18, 1906, Issigonis immigrated to England with his family in 1922 and later studied engineering at . Thanks for a wonderfully researched article! His little cars were a success despite him. I saw about 3 Americas in the wild that I can remember, and 1 example of the earlier MG 1100 Sport Sedan. Category:Alec Issigonis - Wikimedia Commons Historiography: The Misapplication of Issigonis' Engineering Breakthrough He still worked to his consultancy agreement but did so almost exclusively from home, briefing and debriefing nominated BL engineers each morning. His father, a successful and wealthy shipbuilding engineer, was of Greek origin but held a British passport. https://www.mini.com/ Suffice to say it was an ambitious project for a family of compact cars - the smaller of the pair shorter overall than . 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. Red: Yeah, its mine. The Mini caused a sensation with its design and rather small size in the late 1950s thanks to its inventor, the Englishman Alec Issigonis. The cars quickly found their way to the scrapheap since the cost of repairing the automatic transmission typically was more than the car was worth. Issigonis was probably privately satisfied with that arrangement, as it took him away from the daily grind of corporate management and designing production ready cars and back into the more conceptual field where he had the opportunity to use his innovative skills the kind of role Leonard Lord had originally given him twelve years earlier and which led to the Mini and the ADO16. The innovation he created by switching the orientation of the engine, changing the traditional transmission to a transaxle and sending power to the front wheels was a magnificent idea! Kereta ini menjadi kereta popular di Britain dan banyak negara di dunia, di samping berjaya menjuarai Rali Monte Carlo sebanyak 3 kali. Contact - Oxbotica [14], He was granted the rank of Knight Bachelor in the 1969 Birthday Honours[15] and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 22 July of the same year. Enter the length or pattern for better results. Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, CBE, FRS, RDI (18 November 1906 - 2 October 1988) was a Greek-British designer of cars, now remembered chiefly for the groundbreaking and influential . If so, that would seem vindictive on Days part. Alec Issigonis - Etsy Check out our alec issigonis selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. No wonder Issigonis felt flattered I feel very, very proud that so many people have copied me.. Issigonis customer in this case was Maurice Wilks, later the man behind the Land Rover. Click the answer to find similar crossword clues . The car was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show, alongside the Land Rover and Jaguar XK120, and the rest is pure CC history. Alec Issigonis was a Scorpio and was born in the G.I. From 1925-1928 he studied engineering at Battersea Polytechnic in London. Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis CBE FRS RDI (18 November 1906 - 2 October 1988) was a Greek automotive designer. In 1969, in recognition of his engineering genius, Queen Elizabeth granted him Knighthood. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. Alec Issigonis Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts But back in the day, young UK petrolheads had the time of our lives with Minis, modified in countless ways, rocketing around on twisty English roads, and in weekend motorsports. Alec Issigoniss birth sign is Scorpio and he had a ruling planet of Pluto. The irony being, of all the cars built in the world that follow his layout, none carry an Austin or Morris badge. Not something one would anticipate until it is experienced. 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. The Austin/Morris Mini was He left Morris in 1952 for Alvis just as BMC was created from Austin and Morris (as well as Riley, Wolseley and MG).. He was popular for being a Entrepreneur. Meanwhile from 1930, he raced a supercharged Ulster Austin Seven, and fitted it with an independent front suspension of his own design. Alec Issigonis nasceu na Turquia Filho de um grego naturalizado britnico casado com uma turca. He became the engineering director of the British Motor Corporation in 1964, and was . His love/hate relationship with the companys products stayed with []. The war prevented this design from going into production but it was later used on the MG Y-type. . SOL 258H is the oldest surviving gearless car and was the preferred transport of Sir Alex Issigonis. German Engineer Who Designed And Built The First Practical Automobile And the 1800 the rear seat really seemed limousine-like for the size of the car. Issigonis was born in Smyrna in 1906. But at the age of 50, he began designing one of the most iconic vehicles ever produced: the classic Mini. 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. Later, he was working on an independent suspension for the larger Humber Hawk, with another rising star in the industry, Bill Heynes. The initials "G.I." BLMC says, Archive : Lord Stokes writes to Alec Issigonis, Archive : How Harry Webster is going to shape your car, Archive : The Thoughts of Chairman Stokes, Archive : Issigonis The Giant Who Thought Small, Archive : Creative role for Issigonis in BMC board switch, Archive : Mr Issigonis looks to the future, Archive : Interview Motor meets Alec Issigonis, The cars : Alfa Romeo Alfasud development story, Opinion : Celebrating 40 years of the Austin Maestro, Essay : Austin Maestro styling the real killer, Concepts and prototypes : LM10 and LM11 facelifts, Archive : Coventry Council Debates Rover Crisis, News : PSA confirms continued van production in Luton. Sir Alec Issigonis, in full Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, (born Nov. 18, 1906, Smyrna [now zmir], Tur.died Oct. 2, 1988, Birmingham, Eng. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. 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. By 1945, a full scale static prototype close to the familiar production form was completed. Tragically, Constantine Issigonis contracted a serious illness, and died in Malta in June 1923. Issigonis planned two versions, known as the TA/350 with a 3.5 litre V8 and TA/175 with a 1750cc, V4 engine. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Nice to see that blue Morris Oxford just the same as our first car that I remember. And I myself have engineered a few things with the help of Jack Daniels . He was retired from British Leyland in 1971, memorably being given a Meccano kit for his leaving present. Alec Issigonis | Bartleby On 15 October 2006 a rally was held at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, England, to celebrate the centenary of Issigonis's birth. Born in Turkey, Issigonis come to England as a teenager. Unfortunately the ADO16 did not do well in the U.S. as the Austin America, which was imported here in an attempt to eat some of VWs lunch in the late 1960s. In response to the Suez Oil Crisis, British Motor Company asked Issigonis to head the development of a small, fuel-efficient car that would become the Morris Mini. The problem was that I would never have initially chosen to drive one. He also took his lunch with the workers in the local pub and travelled to this in our Bedford crew bus with wooden bench seats. Who are the richest people in the world? You serve us all wonderfully. Alternate titles: Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis. Sir Alec Issigonis, in full Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, (born Nov. 18, 1906, Smyrna [now zmir], Tur.died Oct. 2, 1988, Birmingham, Eng. The floor is flat and low to the ground and windows all round make it seem very airy. Enter the length or pattern for better results. Beatles' Minis: Cars belonging to McCartney, Harrison and Ringo are on Sir Alec Issigonis started his career at Humber, known for their Humber Snipe and Humber Hawk models, even Queen Elizabeth II owned a Humber. 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. The XC (experimental car) code names assigned for the new cars were XC/9001 - for a large comfortable car, XC/9002 - for a medium-sized family car, and XC/9003 . Styled by Pininfarina, it was launched as the Morris 1100 in 1962, and a year later as the Austin 1100, and the clean, classical lines of the car served BMC well. He was reluctant to consider features such as large boots or hatchbacks, or engine access, as important. Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, CBE, FRS (18 November 1906-2 October 1988) was a Greek-British designer of cars, now remembered chiefly for the groundbreaking and influential development of the Mini, launched by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in 1959. While much derided for its lack of style, I do love the huge smile he put on the front of the original 1800 Landcrab. [13], He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1967. Alec Issigonis: The Greek Creator of the Mini Car 130 King Street West, Exchange Tower, Suite 1800, Toronto, Canada, M5X 1E3. Youre right about maintenance. Oxford Office. The Royal Navy Marines evacuated British Subjects, including the Issigonis family, from Smyrna before Turkey attacked. Alec Issigonis - the genius behind the Mini and the Morris Minor - AROnline Sir Alec Issigonis. The car, as developed in a prototype form, showed potential as well as technical ambition the cars unitary construction made it relatively light and strong, it offered 6 seats, had a rear mounted transaxle, including the clutch, inboard rear brakes, long wheelbase configuration so typical of Issigonis and a modern, sophisticated 3.5 litre V8 engine. After returning to England in 1922, he enrolled in engineering school, failing mathematics at every turn. August 26, 2019. Whos the richest Entrepreneur in the world. The Axis Powers? His mother was from Bavaria. 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. I do not know how many I have owned Morrises, Austins and MGs. 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. Diz lenda que ele considerava a rigidez . Constantine was very proud of his British citizenship and Alec grew up in a traditional British type of household. [3][6] His father died shortly after and Issigonis and his mother moved to the United Kingdom in 1923. Back the early 2,000 B.C. . At the end of the Greek-Turkish war in 1922, British subjects in Smyrna were evacuated by the Royal Navy, ahead of the Turkish re-possession of the area from Greece, with manyinitially travelling to Malta. 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. The AROnline development story tells the tale of how this small car changed the way we looked at economy cars almost overnight. By 1964, BMC had built over one million front wheel drive vehicles, including over 800,000 Minis and over 200,000 ADO16s, and over a third were exported. . 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 . Issigonis legacy. Sir Alec Issigonis: an insight into the great man, from an interview originally published in Autocar magazine to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Mini. He was a complex man, with a complex background, family story and career. I tell you the last time I was that close to a Japanese machine, it was shooting at me.. That Alvis is one of those missed opportunities that ultimately doomed the company. Friendly was ideal for owner-buyers, a large part of the British car buying public, but never appealed to thrusting young execs and salesmen, which is why BLMC was so desperate for the Marina to crack the fleet market. Oak placed another engineer, Jack Daniels, alongside him to keep his feet on the ground. He did not want more conventional answers, without at least exploring some technical advances. Noch ein Mini! 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? During 1956 Issigonis concentrated on the larger two cars, producing several prototypes for testing. He was also responsible for the development of the Mini Moke, initially intended for military use, though it subsequently became another popular icon of British automotive engineering that, like the Mini, attained cult status. Sir Alex Arnold Constantine Issigonis (1906-1988) - Find a Grave Absolutely brilliant article about an engineering genius. In March 1957 Lord asked (more likely told, as Lord did not do asking) Issigonis to come up with something to compete with them. Issigonis who designed the Mini auto Crossword Clue At Alvis, Issigoniss main task was to lead the development of a more affordable, higher volume luxury car. Issigonis, The Mini Mastermind - On This Day Alec Issigonis Quotes - BrainyQuote The Motor Museum in Miniature I got to drive his Red mini when I went for fish and chips on a Friday. Alec Issigonis - Wikipedia The family is almost penniless. ADO15, 16 & 17 (36792752942).jpg 1 712 1 936; 589 KB Lord was looking for modernity, but he was also looking for commonality of engines, good quality design and cars good enough to be amongst the best in their class and internationally competitive. I remember seeing early Civics with trunks and the early VW Dasher had a trunk, in spite of its fastback bodywork. *27/02/01 The new Mini which will go on sale in the UK summer 2001, was , being unveiled for the first time. Issigonis (standing) with the special at Shelsey Walsh hillclimb. It really showed up typical RWD cars of the time as being great space-wasters. 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. Updates? Sixty years ago today . Sir Alec Issigonis was one of the automotive industry's great independent thinkers. Was it to be water or air cooled? Production only finished after BMW had bailed out of Rover in 2000. I saw one, in 79 or 80, sold here as the MG Sports Sedan. : Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis , CBE, FRS, RDI 19061118-1988102 . The first car to repeat the concept of the Mini was the ADO16, which is often considered to be Issigoniss finest hour. Alec Issigonis - Bio, Personal Life, Family & Cause Of Death - CelebsAges The big steering wheels angle was a bit bus-like though. The Crossword Solver finds answers to classic crosswords and cryptic crossword puzzles. 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. Moultons hydrolastic suspension as installed on the BMC ADO16 by Issigonis. . I remember the Austin America when new, not an impressive car to me in any way . Alec Issigonis It is much easier to drive without having an accident. It had one option an AM radio, hung below the dash. I wonder if he was to blame for the Mini never having a hatchback, or a more softly suspended version? Once more details are available, we will update this section. It was, though, used on the postwar MG Y Type saloons. I am well acquainted with the brilliant/stubborn/arrogant type of engineer, I have occasionally served as a Daniels, and my own brilliant/stubborn/arrogant Grandfather could have probably used one too. 1959: The Mini Was Born. | MINI.com Copyright 2011 - 2023 Curbside Classics. He was involved in engine design as well, requesting unsuccessfully that BL build 4 and 6 cylinder engines for Mini variants. Alec Issigonis - Trivia, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays As a matter of interest, go to this site: and click on the Letter From Dr. Alex Moulton link. 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. Maybe it takes that sort of single-mindedness, bordering on obsession, to create something different, get it into production in spite of obstacles and naysayers, and make it a success. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Hulda Issigonis then returned to Malta, leaving sixteen year old Alec alone in London, returning only after Constantine had died. Everyman Classics: Mid-Century Visionary 1 : Alec Issigonis Issigonis's own automotive career as a designer and engineer in England first took shape during the early 1930s when he began working for the vehicle manufacturer . Alec Issigonis Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Relationships, Married, Dating, Family, Wiki Biography . At some point in the mid-60s they ran an After the New Wears Off feature by an MG 1100 owner in Los Angeles. Shunning all offers of silver service with the management. He was known for being a Entrepreneur. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Well, he went down in history as the father of the Mini and was even raised to nobility for his services.
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