THE GUARDIAN
Lord Stokes writes about the late Sir Alec Issigonis:
Alec Issigonis was a very charming and persuasive person, and a brilliant innovative engineer with a considerable capacity for lateral thinking. But he could be obstinate, as both Leonard Lord and George Harriman found with the Morris 1000 and the Mini. He always struck me as someone completely and utterly involved in the motor car as such.
When the fuel crisis came, for example, he had elaborate plans to develop a steam car. We did build one and it ran very successfully, although I do not think that it could have been a practical proposition. He also worked very hard on an idea he had for a gearless Mini which, but for the advent of the automatic gearbox, might have been a great success
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
- Concepts and prototypes : Hyundai/Rover Oden (1992) - 9 November 2023
- Opinion : So, maybe the Montego was the best they could do… - 8 November 2023
- The cars : Austin Montego (LM11) development story - 7 November 2023
a steam car? in what, the 60s??
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/290764-issigonis-steam-mini/
It appears into the 70s, here from Car Magazine in 1971!
In common with many of his generation, Issigonios had a fascination with steam, and who could not when A4s and mighty Duchesses were there to provide visual and audible stimulation.. Issogonis had a live steam model railway in the garage and garden of his home in Edgbaston
A photograph exists of a live steam BR 9F, made by Bassett-Lowke for Issigonis, why a 9F, did Issogonis see (and hear) a 9F on banking duties on Lickey Incline?