The Mini is 50! The cheeky little roadster has been gracing our streets since 1959 and has become an icon of British design and a symbol of the 60’s.  Since it’s rebirth in 2001 the iconic supermini has gone from strength to strength, with limited editions from Paul Smith, collaborations with Smeg and celebrity fans including Madonna, Kate Moss & Matt Damon.

There are some fans who feel that BMW have ‘airbrushed history’ and have not remained loyal to Alec Issigonis’s original design, however the iconic car made famous by Michael Caine in The Italian Job does not seem too worried about that, and today thousands of enthusiasts chose to celebrate the birthday of the worlds most lovable motor in style.

More than 2,500 brightly coloured minis made the pilgrimage to the coast in the London to Brighton run, a tradition that is in its 46th year.  Setting off at 8.30am from Crystal Palace in London, owners proudly showed off their cars, all in different colours and adorned with differing roof patterns.  A nice touch saw the first 51 Minis leave London in production year order from 1959 - 2009.

Happy Birthday Mini - heres to another 50 years of making driving fun, although you better watch out, the Fiat 500 is hot on your heels!