4 replies to this topic

[lewBlew]

Does anyone know when the famous Mini logo originally appeared?

http://www.gbcarpart.../wingsblack.jpg

Obviously It's used on MINIs but I know it was also used on some classic Minis too and a lot of people retrofit it to the bonnet. Did this start in the 90s or before?

[Ethel]

19th September 1996

Interesting if there's earlier stuff. That's the date it was registered as a Trademark - by BMW. Maybe that's when they acquired Rover, but there doesn't appear to be anything earlier registered.

[JimminyBob]

The first winged logos were on the 1990 RSP Coopers. I'd assume the green coloured ones were first on SPi Minis?

[mab01uk]

I think the winged shape first appeared in 'Cooper' badge form on the re-introduced Rover Mini Cooper bonnet in 1990. Later Cooper models also had the badge on the bootlid folowed by the similar Mini badge on non-Cooper models. It was a retro style badge to represent the now standalone Mini/Cooper brand, perhaps inspired by some of the BMC heritage marque badges like Morris and Austin, etc.

[lewBlew]

Thanks for the info. Done a search on the 1990 Coopers and it certainly does appear in laurel wreath form, which I guess is where it started. Unless anyone knows otherwise!

I think non-Cooper models continued with the Rover shield-style badge up until 1996 when BMW trademarked a 'Mini' version of the winged shape which then became universal.