Sir Alec Constantine Issigonis, born in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire on November 18, 1906, is famous for designing the beloved Mini Cooper motor car. Alec Issigonis - the genius behind the Mini and the Morris Minor - AROnline Joseph Lowrey, MOTOR: As soon [], Mr Alec Issigoniss New B.M.C. Perhaps it was a trait that ran in the family. Red: Yeah, its mine. Sir Alec Constantine Issigonis: The Greek Designer Of The Famous Mini But the story begins even further back, with a man named Demosthenis, Alec's grandfather, who emigrated from Greece to Asia-Minor in the 1830s and worked for the Smyrna-Aydn Railway. That's exactly what he did. Copyright 2011 - 2023 Curbside Classics. Alec Issigonis, the brilliant British designer of the Morris Minor and the Mini, is one of the commanding figures in the history of automobile design and engineering. Issigonis, The Mini Mastermind - On This Day Alec Issigonis Related Authors Vivienne Westwood Quotes Virgil Abloh Quotes Coco Chanel Quotes Carroll Shelby Quotes It was, though, used on the postwar MG Y Type saloons. In 1942, Morris gave Issigonis overall responsibility for an all-new model; the Morris Minor. If (and I have no evidence and make no suggestions) a young Issigonis had been outed in, say, the early 1950s, his career progression would likely have been ended even, without any prosecution. In 1936, Issigonis moved again, to the Morris Motor Company, as a project engineer on an independent front suspension system for the Morris 10, where his experience at Rootes would start to bear fruit. Issigonis would work on the 9X programme, which included a replacement Mini and a new and innovative gearless transmission system. The above photo is a publicity shot with the first produced Mini, at his retirement in 1972. A series engine, with gearbox beneath and side mounted radiator. Excellent article. Issigonis usually won, even when entered in the 1100cc class if there was no 750cc category. Alecs education details are not available at this time. Daniels (right) and Sheppard (left), no doubt, had to smooth a few ruffled feathers on the way. Sir Alec Issigonis 1906 - 1988 - Solar Navigator Alec Issigonis: straight from a family thrilled by technology. Sir Alec Issigonis celebrates one of the many milestones of the Mini dynasty. It was more like a Lancia or a rear drive Citroen than a Rover or a Sunbeam-Talbot. Demosthenis's son (Alec's father) Constantine Issigonis (Greek: ), was born, with British nationality, in Smyrna in 1872. Indeed gay sex was illegal in the UK until 1968 and for many years after prejudice was rife. After these cars, and the formation of British Leyland in 1968, Issigonis was sidelined by a new influx of engineers led by Triumphs Harry Webster. I am well acquainted with the brilliant/stubborn/arrogant type of engineer, I have occasionally served as a Daniels, and my own brilliant/stubborn/arrogant Grandfather could have probably used one too. Issigonis never married; most accounts suggest that he was probably gay but he was obviously unable to express himself without huge risk to his professional status and even the risk of prosecution. Born Alexandros Arnoldos Konstantinos Issigonis on the 18th of November, 1906, Alexander Issigonis' family were part of the Greek community in the port city of Smrna.
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