This led to a job at Austin, but in 1936, he moved to Morris at Cowley, where he worked on the Morris 10. Sir Alec Issigonis started his career at Humber, known for their Humber Snipe and Humber Hawk models, even Queen Elizabeth II owned a Humber. As such he was of the generation who experienced the privations of two apocalyptic world wars. His retirement gift from the company was the largest available Meccano set, complete with a steam engine. In October, 1957, just eight months after first putting pen to paper, the first prototypes were on the road. Chinese Zodiac: Alec Issigonis was born in the Year of the Rabbit. While the intention was for the space efficient FWD cars to replace much of the existing overlapping BMC range (that all should have been hatchbacks in retrospect), it would have been interesting to see a rear-wheel drive Cortina rival with fully-independent suspension derived from Issigoniss work at Alvis to slot between the 1100/1300 and 1800/2200. The Mini went on to become the best selling British car in history with a production run of 5.3million cars. Giving the Mini, ADO16 and ADO17 were all designed well before hatchbacks were popular, the beancounters no doubt would be up in arms at the thought of spending more money on tooling for an already old design. Are you sure Renault had transverse-engine hatchbacks by 1974? He inherited his great interest in technology and machines from his father who, shortly after the turn . Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It is really amazing, when you think of it, that some 60 years later his basic vision rolls off of assembly lines all over the world. Great article there should be a movie about Issigonis! It was one of the first days of the new school year early September and I was walking up the sidewalk and turning the corner to head for the campus. . It didnt just raise the bar it kicked it into next week ! 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. Etsy Search for items or shops Close search Skip to Content Sign in 0 Cart Cyber Sales Event Jewelry & Accessories Clothing & Shoes The Royal Navy Marines evacuated British Subjects, including the Issigonis family, from Smyrna before Turkey attacked. 18 November 1906 2 October 1988", Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, " Alec Issigonis | Automotive Hall of Fame", Alec Issigonis Automotive Designer (19061988), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alec_Issigonis&oldid=1135124708, This page was last edited on 22 January 2023, at 19:54. I was eight when my dad bought one of those brand new cars at a reduced price from the NYC dealer $850 for an Austin 850 ($6,800 in 2016 money) The Mini, and the other Issigonis BMC front wheel drive cars, benefited from Issigonis continuing collaboration with Alex Moulton and his suspension system developments. Alec Issigonis was already known for his popular and respected Morris Minor. Great summary of a giant of industrial design. During the Second World War, Britain was in control of the Suez Canal, which served as an important source of oil, but this changed during the so called Suez crisis in 1956. Alec Issigonis. At Alvis, Issigoniss main task was to lead the development of a more affordable, higher volume luxury car. He worked on various projects for Morris through the war and towards its end started work on an advanced post war car codenamed Mosquito that became the Morris Minor, which was produced from 1948 until 1971. On his side, Issigonis built a large model railway in the double garage that ran out through the walls and around the garden. Sir Alec Constantine Issigonis, born in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire on November 18, 1906, is famous for designing the beloved Mini Cooper motor car. Required fields are marked *. as an American familiar only with U.S. cars. . Alexander Issigonis was born into the Greek community of Smyrna (now Izmir) in Ottoman Turkey. Oxbotica Toronto Office. 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. 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. He was knighted in 1969 and was honored by the city of Oxford with a street named after him, Alec Issigonis Way. November 18, 1906 Car designer Alec Issigonis, the man who gave the world the Mini, was born in Turkey on this day to a Greek father and Bavarian mother. The gearbox in sump was a dead end in terms of automotive design. Despite its stated mission being to provide basic transport, this level of driving enjoyment, and capability, was like a non stop Christmas present. Alec Issigonis was born in 1900s. In 1942, the first scale model was produced and the following year work began on a hand-formed steel prototype. The change was not handled well though, with credible accounts of a literally tearful Issigonis wandering around Longbridge trying to find a new office after returning from abroad to find Webster occupying his office. Enter the length or pattern for better results. British car designer best remembered for his work on the development of the iconic Mini. 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! Issigonis' creation was remarkable, but it really only became a Mini when he got a little help from his friend, motorsport pioneer John Cooper. The irony being, of all the cars built in the world that follow his layout, none carry an Austin or Morris badge. Oxford Office. [], The Mini is 63 years old this week. And a rally demon was born. The car was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show, alongside the Land Rover and Jaguar XK120, and the rest is pure CC history. Richard Bremneris well-known for being a highly-respected motoring scribe, but in his formative years, he worked in the employ of Austin-Rover. I appreciate the research the depth and the smooth writing style to present it all in a gripping way. Alec Issigonis was a hugely . Sixty years ago today . The Crossword Solver finds answers to classic crosswords and cryptic crossword puzzles. Issigonis's mother, Hulda Prokopp, was descended from a Bavarian brewing family who had settled in Smyrna, and established a brewery. It did get Hydrolastic eventually, then lose it again. He immigrated to Britain in 1922, studied engineering and in 1948 masterminded the Morris Minor, the first British car to sell more than a million. info@oxbotica.com +44 (0)1865 433 998. 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. Although primarily a station car, my parents also took it on a vacation through New England. [], BMC changed the world with the launch of the Mini in 1959. Many did not even make it through the warranty period without the transmission self-destructing. The Mini was designed by. He would instead research work on his Mini replacement the 9X with its compact transverse engine. This strong streak of fierce independence and lack of compromise hid his lateral approach to the design and engineering of cars. 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. The first front wheel drive car from BL after Issigoniss retirement was the Austin Allegro, still with the gearbox in the sump and without the obvious hatchback. 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. [4] He often had to be discreetly talked through financial documents when he was in the board meetings. Sir Alec Issigonis. Its practicality and affordability made it immediately popular; by the time of Issigonis death more than five million had been sold. His grandfather Demosthenis Issigonis . Alec Issigonis was born on the 18th of November, 1906. An engineering genius and godfather of of the Mini. The war prevented this design from going into production but it was later used on the MG Y-type. He was known for being a Entrepreneur. Alec Issigonis Related Authors Vivienne Westwood Quotes Virgil Abloh Quotes Coco Chanel Quotes Carroll Shelby Quotes Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. Maybe because theyd lost the Issigonis chassis manners? Enter your username or email to reset your password. He remained on the BL books as a consultant until 1988, shortly before his death. Issigonis (just in view at the far right) was not involved in the engineering of this car, but was able to start a long term friendship with Battista and Sergio Pininfarina,seenstanding next the car with Leonard Lord and George Harriman. Prior to his death, Alec and his mother travelled overland to London. In the face of all this mayhem, Mrs. Issigonis decided to migrate with Alex to Britain, a land neither knew. Alec Issigonis It is much easier to drive without having an accident. Dear Mr Day I have not met you but I feel I must write to explain a few points. Post FROM OUR MIDLAND CORRESPONDENT BIRMINGHAM, Nov. 13 The name of the man who will head the British Motor Corporations new amalgamated design unit when []. It was created in response to a crisis and was a genius piece of packaging which will forever be Sir Alec Issigonis legacy to the automotive world. Issigonis studied engineering at Battersea Polytechnic in London. There were, as CC has seen, many and varied reasons for the failure of the Landcrab and Maxi: the control (or rather the lack of it) exercised by Lord and Harriman over Issigonis; the inherited components; and marketing and production issues. 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. Copyright 2023. At some point in the mid-60s they ran an After the New Wears Off feature by an MG 1100 owner in Los Angeles. The 1100 and later 1300 outsold the Mini by a considerable margin and remained Britains best-selling car right through the 1960s. Alec Issigonis (Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis) was born in Smyrna in the Ottoman Empire (now Izmir, Turkey). 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. I fist saw a Mini on my way to middle school in 1965. His efforts were concentrated on two things continuing to promote the 1968 9X concept to BLMC, and working on the concept of a gearless version of the Mini, using a torque converter, that was not a technical success. On a cheerier note, Id love to see that Alvin on the flesh. Contents Early life and education Career Legacy Honours Some of his cars Issigonis 'response was dry and forceful:'I'm an engineer. Manual transmissions seemed to hold up ok,lasting at least as long as the engine. A reliable car with excellent steering and cornering qualities, it was the first all-British car to pass the one million mark in sales; surviving models are still cherished by owners and collectors. Im sure the Renault 4, 5, 6, and 16 had longitudinal engines. Issigonis would later state that pure mathematics (is) the enemy of every truly creative man. He began his engineering career at Morris Motors Ltd. in 1936 as a steering and suspension engineer. Innovative. 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. 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. He was popular for being a Entrepreneur. 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. Issigonis would work on the 9X programme, which included a replacement Mini and a new and innovative gearless transmission system. Issigonis with XC/9001, the car that became the Landcrab. Issigonis was an engineer, first and foremost, but I have used the terms design/designer in this piece, in the way that was contemporaneous to Issigonis and as he would have understood it, although we would now use use engineering. Just re-watched the documentary about Issigonis, which has a great deal on the lightweight special It was 1999 channel 4 a full evenings programmes devoted to the 40th anniversary of the Mini. Issigonis showed little interest in things mechanical until he was well into his teens, not riding in a car until he was 14 years old, and was seemingly more interested in art, under the strong influence of his mother. The Minor was, of course, a huge success, for Nuffield and for Issigonis. Bernd Peter Pischetsrieder. By 1945, a full scale static prototype close to the familiar production form was completed. Thanks for this terrific bio on one of the all-time greats in the field. In 1936, Issigonis moved again, to the Morris Motor Company, as a project engineer on an independent front suspension system for the Morris 10, where his experience at Rootes would start to bear fruit. This post and its visuals and videos explains this pivotal vector of the international industry with such clarity and depth. Issigonis grandfather, Demosthenis Issigonis, had emigrated from Paros in Greece to Smyrna (as Izmir was then known) in the mid 19th century where his engineering company helped the British built the Smyrna-Aydn Railway, and through this acquired British citizenship. Please check back soon for updates. By the time the chassis had been completed (hard labourit was all done by hand, no power tools), Issigonis had moved to Morris Motors Limited, but Austin supplied a "works" specification supercharged side-valve engine. I caught up to my mate and I said thats a really cool car, what is it? Thats my BrothersMini Cooper. Alec completed his education at an English boarding school, and in 1925, took a two month tour, by car, of Europe with his mother before returning to take a place at Battersea Polytechnic in south London, to study mechanical engineering. The cars design with its front wheel drive and independent suspension provided good road handling, but Issigonis had scant regard for passenger comfort. O interesse pelo automvel veio aos 12 anos, quando ele viu um pela primeira vez. Alec Issigonis: The Man Who Made the Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis, 81; Designer of Minicar And Morris Minor. 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. The MG 1100 Sport Sedan a perfect choice when a two-seater MG is too small. This page is updated often with fresh details about Alec Issigonis. 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. BL were in thrall of the myth theyd created, but the buying public had much more sense. Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis was born in the Turkish town of Smyrna, today's Izmir, as the son of a Briton of Greek origin and a mother from Bavaria, on 18 November 1906. Constantine was very proud of his British citizenship and Alec grew up in a traditional British type of household. Alec Issigonis's mother was German, and it was on her side of the family that he was a first cousin once removed to automobile engineer and executive manager Bernd Pischetsrieder. From then onwards, any car in the small or medium market without a transverse engine was considered unusual, and conservative. Another Mini!). It was 1961 when the humble little people-mover fell into the hands of British racing legend John Cooper. (The Maxi, by comparison, was a bland lump.). The relationship got to the point where Issigonis had the ideas, did the sketches and Daniels did the formal drawings. And his father, a Greek by origin and British by nationality, had inherited a marine engine construction company, an activity that fascinated little Alec. Get In Touch Call or Email. In August 1971, Issigonis drove the 2 millionth ADO16 off the line, as the same time as a Mini Clubman, which was the 5 millionth front wheel drive BMC car, came off the line in the next building. Address 8050 Alec Issigonis Way, Oxford Business Park North, Oxford, OX4 2HW. It confronted the conservative image of BMC head on, even if the rest of BMC range didnt. There is a truck factory in the city of Izmir, on the western Mediterranean coast of Turkey, builtby the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in 1967, and which still builds vehiclesunder the BMC brand. If it was front engined, was it to be rear wheel or front wheel drive? It was the highlight of my career and came early as I was just 18 years old and just an apprentice engineer for a tractor company. 104 Alec Issigonis Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Images Creative Editorial Video Creative Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 104 Alec Issigonis Premium High Res Photos Browse 104 alec issigonis stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. He was appointed to this post by Lords successor, Sir George Harriman, who was even more in awe of him than Lord was, but also was even more unable to control and guide Issigonis. Sounds like his stubbornness had a lot in common with Henry Ford and his reluctance to move on from the Model T. Imagine trying to take him seriously when he declared an uncomfortable driver is an alert driver. View 6 Images. I remember the Austin America when new, not an impressive car to me in any way . At the peak if his career he was by far the most well-known personality in the British motor industry, one of the most well-known names in the European motor industry, and was the first and perhaps the only car British designer who could claim celebrity status. In 1961, a shipload of Minis suffered mild water damage on their journey to the east coast of US. He also had plans for a flat four cylinder engine, and at frequentlychallenged convention and Morris Motors conservatism. Alec Issigonis Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Relationships, Married, Dating, Family, Wiki Biography . The end of the agreement came in 1986, when Issigonis wrote directly to Graham Day, BLs then new Chairman. I remember seeing early Civics with trunks and the early VW Dasher had a trunk, in spite of its fastback bodywork. 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. 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. Noch ein Mini (A Mini! Having been a passenger in an early Austin Landcrab on several occasions I can confirm they are amazingly spacious inside, front and rear. It was apparent to Morriss senior managers that Issigonis was cut from a different cloth compared to his contemporaries. Shortly after in 1962, when gender roles were thought to be defined, one woman chose a life of speed. Issigonis designed the most enduring small cars of the twentieth century, the Morris Minor (1948) and the Mini (1959) - a testament to his insistence that 'styled' cars dated quickly. Daniels (right) and Sheppard (left), no doubt, had to smooth a few ruffled feathers on the way. Excellent article. Great write about a very clever guy, but he was wrong an uncomfortable driver is an irritable driver who fatigues rather more quickly, The Landcrab while being comfortable to ride in as a passenger is not so nice to drive nor are the smaller cars from BMC, there are many surviving ADO16s here and NZ is still the Morris Minor capital of the world they will never become rare here and for that matter neither will real Minis but 1800s and Maxis are quite thin on the ground already yet were popular new they werent very durable though, and the last Princess Ive seen is a rusty example outside the British car museum at Te Awanga, Personally having driven all his ideas the Morris Minor was his best one that saw production, I got my first car licence in a Morry Thou. Sir Alec Issigonis, in full Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, (born Nov. 18, 1906, Smyrna [now zmir], Tur.died Oct. 2, 1988, Birmingham, Eng. 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. Humber were more interested in the sales engineer than his product, and Issigonis moved to Humber in 1933. : Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis , CBE, FRS, RDI 19061118-1988102 . More importantly, the end of the agreement also marked the end of goodwill payments from the Company that covered his nursing care, and he was forced to move from his home to a smaller flat. 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. Roger, are you saying that Graham Day ended the consultancy and goodwill payments because he was offended by Issigoniss letter? 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.

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