Mini’s story began in 1961 when the very first Mini Cooper was released. The original Mini is considered an icon of 1960s British popular culture, culminating in its star role in the 1969 classic movie ‘The Italian Job’. Mini is all about meeting the needs of the modern urbanite while also building a strong reputation in sports competitions and rallies around the world. Other models joined the legendary Mini Cooper from the larger Clubman to the Mini Cabrio and Countryman. On the business front, the brand passed first to Rover in the 90s and finally to BMW in 2000.