"The idea of a modern MINI had been floating around since the late 60’s. But the Mini’s appeal and subsequent sales success kept it in production for two decades longer than originally anticipated. However the various government backed companies that manufactured the Mini through the years were less than successful on the business side of things. In fact British Leyland, Rover, etc tried to kill the Mini more than once (first to avoid converting the engine to run on unleaded, then to avoid increasing safety requirements) but English public opinion was too negative. So when BMW bought Rover and the Mini there was quite a bit of hope for the future....."
The Secret MINI Concepts That Could have Changed MINI Forever:-http://www.motoringfile.com/2020/04/20/the-secret-mini-concepts-that-could-have-change-mini-forever/
One of three original MINI proposals lead by Roy Axe
