Happy Birthday to Sir Alec Issigonis ... who would have been 97 today ...



... designer of the Minor, the Mini-Minor, and a few other toys ...

 

The Father of the transverse engine/transmission, all hail!

 

:smile:

 

Happy Birthday Sir! Who said: A camel is a horse designed by committee.

For more info on him see
http://www.mini-maniac.com/Alex.html
We owe to him the design of the Morris minor and the BMC mini.
Always remember...
Less is More.

 

Happy Birthday Sir Alec!!! I've had my Issigonis tree up for a week now! Losing a few needles, but still adds some color to the room.

Sing with CooperBeagle:

Good Sir Issigonis came 'round,
To the streets of England.
Transverse engines now abound,
From coast to coast and 'tween land.

REFRAIN:
"Love our MINI's" we do sing,!
Never shall we waver.
Cup holders, don't hold a thing.
But driving fun in ma-jor!



Next verse?

 

>>Next verse?
>>

OK, I'm an engineer, not a poet but here goes:

VERSE:

Though England's streets were old and small,
He'd not knuckle under.
Built Mini's for one and all.
Lo the world did wonder.

 

Thanks Sir Alec! :smile:

 

St. Issignis Day Carol continues:

Driving twisty roads all day,
In our MINI Coopers.
"More than cute" is what we say,
"The engine's super duper!"

REFRAIN:
"Love our MINIs" we do sing,
Never shall we waver.
Cup holders don't hold a thing,
But driving fun in ma-jor.


:smile: :smile:

 

Here's to a true creative genius...and to all you other creative geniuses out there!!! (....especially you crazies working on the carol! )

 

>>St. Issignis Day Carol continues:
>>

VERSE:
So bring V6's, bring V8's,
Turbos by the dozen.
They may be quicker on the straights,
but in the curves we've got them

REFRAIN:
"Love our MINIs" we do sing,
Never shall we waver.
Cup holders don't hold a thing,
But driving fun in ma-jor.

 

J-Girl-- That's pretty good!

 

Thanks! I should probably quit while I'm ahead but here's one more:

VERSE:
Red and yellow, green and blue,
Roof colors black or white.
Stripes and decals and flags too,
Will make your MINI just right.

REFRAIN:
"Love our MINIs" we do sing,
Never shall we waver.
Cup holders don't hold a thing,
But driving fun in ma-jor.



_________________
Robyn
<p>Nittany: 03 IB/W MCS, Lapis Blue lthr, 3 packages, H/K, rally lts, painted dash

 

I. for one, plan to keep St. Issigonis Day well, by opening a bottle of Bass Ale on the door latch... And as I raise the bottle to my lips, shall toast Sir Alec. Then, thowing the bottle with a crash into the corner of the garage, I will do a little motoring...

"Here's to Sir Alec Issigonis! Cheers!"

God speed.

 

See...MINI owners not only have good taste, they're poetic.

Which reminds me, my first car was the Simca 1204 (Bertone Body). The 4-cyl transverse mounted engine was Issigonis inspired. Then there was rack and pinion steering, 4-wheel independent, torsion bar suspension and front wheel drive. 56 or 62 hp.

Gadzooks, that was another era, huh?

 

CAUTION: Party Pooper Alert!

Hurray for A Issigonis! We owe him much! Minor & Minis!

Buuut... would he have designed the MINI??? It is cute and takes design cues from the original, but it is not innovative nor efficient in its use of space. After all, the classic mini can hold 4 adults & luggage & get 45mpg! Can the MINI? I think not! I don't have anywhere to put my cell phone!

 

Happy Bday Sir Issigonis! He was the man with the plan!

Anyone have a 40 pound bill with his face and a mini on it?

 

>> I think not! I don't have anywhere to put my cell phone!

Happy Birthday and thanks, Sir Alec

 

OK, now that I've got the song in my head I have to join in too...

VERSE:
Off we go the twisties call,
Work can wait for later.
Raise a pint and down it all
To praise our cars' creator!
>>
>>REFRAIN:
>>"Love our MINI's" we do sing,!
>>Never shall we waver.
>>Cup holders, don't hold a thing.
>>But driving fun in ma-jor!
>>
>>
>>
>>Next verse?
>>


_________________
03 MCS-CR/B>>>>Now motoring through a twistie near you<<<<<< CWFAC 03 Rocks!

 

VERSE:

Sir Alec’s day’s about to end
It has been quite a show.
Perchance we’ll celebrate next year
From an ‘05 cabrio!

REFRAIN:

"Love our MINIs" we do sing,
Never shall we waver.
Cup holders don't hold a thing,
But driving fun in ma-jor.

 

I love this tune y'all are writing to Sir Issigonis!

Cheers!
Clover

 

VERSE:

In Harrisburg the day is done,
I've had my final toast
But I'd still be drinking and having fun,
Were I stationed on Clover's coast!

REFRAIN:

"Love our MINIs" we do sing,
Never shall we waver.
Cup holders don't hold a thing,
But driving fun in ma-jor.

 

>> I love this tune y'all are writing to Sir Issigonis!
>>
>>Cheers!
>>Clover

 

VERSE:

Today's a day to celebrate
So I placed my MINI order.
In eight weeks when it shows up,
I'll drive from coast to border.

REFRAIN:

"Love our MINIs" we do sing,
Never shall we waver.
Cup holders don't hold a thing,
But driving fun in ma-jor.

 

... that time of year again :


HAPPY 98th, Sir Alec !!

 

VERSE:
Champion times 3 at Monaco,
Driving twisty’s on and off road.
Alex, designer, Cooper no finer,
No matter what the race mode.

REFRAIN:
Love our MINIs; we do sing,
Never shall we waver.
Cup holders don't hold a thing,
But driving fun in ma-jor.