The Big Mini turns Fifty

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Right after the launch of the 'little' Mini, BMC thought it should need a somewhat bigger brother, but then more stylish as it was to compete in a more luxurious class. The first prototype was ready in 1958 but then received the magic touch of Pininfarina who turned it into a real stylish car. It was launched to the public in 1962, exactly fifty years ago this August. There were two versions, Austin and Morris, both named 1100 and 1300 after the engine capacity, but they soon earned the name Glider after their Hydrolastic suspension, designed by Alex Moulton. It worked great although sometimes the fluid displacers leaked, giving the Glider a lopsided ride. The only way to remedy this was to pump up the displacers, for which you had to go to an official Austin or Morris dealer. Several versions of the Glider followed: Wolseley, MG, and Riley and there was even an Italian version, the Innocenti, but the Glider never took on like its little brother did.
(prototype photos courtesy AR-online; all other photos collection editor)

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