Issigonis,
Alec
Alec Issigonis (1906 - 1988) was a talented automotive engineer
responsible for the innovative packaging layout of the original
Mini. By using a transversely mounted engine and front-wheel-drive
transmission, as well as independent shocks on each corner,
the Mini was extremely compact - while also having decent
interior space for its size.
Issigonis was also the man responsible for the engineering
of the Morris Minor, a class leading vehicle for its era.
Alec Issigonis was born into the Greek community of Smyrna
(now Izmir) in the Ottoman Empire. Following the death of
his father in 1922, Alec and his mother moved to the UK in
1923. There he studied engineering at Battersea Polytechnic
in London. Later he completed his education at the University
of London External Programme.
Issigonis first worked for Humber. Later moving to Austin,
and then onto Morris by the mid 1930s. In 1952, just as BMC
was formed by the merger of Morris and Austin, he moved to
Alvis Cars where he designed an advanced saloon with all-aluminium
V-8 engine, and experimented with interconnected independent
suspension systems. By 1955 he was back at BMC, and in 1956
- after the Suez Crisis and fuel rationing - he was tasked
with bringing a small, efficient car to production as soon
as possible. This car was launched in 1959 and sold as the
Morris Mini Minor, Austin Mini Seven or just the Austin Mini.
Later this car would be known simply as the Mini.
Add
more information on this topic |
|
Home page