1. The Mini’s first major competition win was the Tulip Rally in 1960, won by Stirling Moss’ sister, Pat. She also went on to win the Ladies’ Award in a Mini at the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally.

2. The British Mini Club puts on four shows every year at indoor and outdoor UK venues.

3. All four Beatles owned Minis - John Lennon’s had darkened windows.

4. Minis have been manufactured at plants in Australia, Uruguay, Venezuela and South Africa

5. The Mark III update of the Mini included an estate car, a pick-up truck and a van.

6. In a 1999 worldwide internet poll, the Mini was voted European Car of the Century and was second in the Global Car of the Century vote.

7. The Cooper Car Company, which teamed up with BMC to create the Mini Cooper, still exists.

8. A Mini Cooper S won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967.

9. Apart from The Italian Job, Minis have also featured in The Bourne Identity and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

10. Three Minis were modified to look like giant oranges as part of an Outspan promotion.