Fifty years ago today the first Mini rolled off the production line at Cowley.
Before production moved to Longbridge the Cowley factory, now called Plant Oxford, built 602,817 Minis between 1959 and 1968.
To celebrate the anniversary the first Mini Minor, finished in Old English White with registration plate 621 AOK, has returned to the plant.
Over six million original and new Minis have been sold since the car first went on sale.
Dr Jürgen Hedrich, Plant Oxford’s managing director, said: “Little did anyone know just how popular Sir Alec Issigonis’s car for the people would be – or that half a century later it would be reborn as the MINI and once again be built in Oxford.
“This is a momentous day in the plant and car’s history. Everyone at the plant is proud to be part of both the heritage and the future of this car.”
Thousands of visitors from across the globe will also be celebrating the Mini’s 50th birthday at Mini United, which is being staged at Silverstone from 22-24 May.
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