The original Mini has been named the greatest British car ever made.
More than 5.4million of the little cars rolled off the production line between 1959 and 2000 with owners including John Lennon.
More than 5.4m of the cars were made between 1959 and 2000 Picture: Car EnthusiastIt topped a poll of car enthusiasts ahead of the original Range Rover and iconic Jaguar E-Type.
The legendary Mini, designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, was a cultural icon which revolutionised the car industry - despite never being profitable.
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Production of the original Mini ended in 2000 with BMW reviving the name the following the year with its hugely successful Oxford-built range.
The Land Rover was fourth in the list with the 240mph McLaren F1 supercar taking fifth spot.
Car mag Autocar conducted the poll to coincide with news that Britain’s car manufacturing output is set to eclipse its highest ever levels by 2015.
The Mini pipped the Jaguar E-Type to the top spot Picture: Car EnthusiastIt is estimated more than two million cars will be built in Britain in 2015 - topping the 1.92million made in Britain’s car making heyday in 1970.
Britain’s car manufacturing revival has been fuelled by the success of foreign car makers investing in manufacturing in the country and thriving homegrown manufacturers of more niche vehicles.
More than 80 per cent of the 1.34million cars built in the UK in 2011 were exported, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Steve Cropley, editor-in-chief at Autocar, said: "The Mini had many faults and was never profitable, but it rewrote the rules and had the biggest impact on Britain’s car industry that any car has had.
"It was one of the most remarkable cars ever built, what with its seating for four plus a decent boot in its mere 10-foot length, revolutionary drive-train and gearbox and its ultra-compact suspension.
"Then there was the whole Mini Cooper thing, and the enormous driving pleasure.
"The Mini’s influence is highly visible in every VW Golf or Ford Focus today, and the legend will live forever."
And the top 10 greatest British cars are...
Mini
Range Rover
Jaguar E-Type
Land Rover
McLaren F1
Range Rover Evoque
Caterham 7
Morris Minor
McLaren MP4-12C
London Taxi
