The Mini was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original Mini is considered a British icon of the 1960s and its space-saving front wheel drive layout that allowed 80% of the area of the car’s floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage influenced a generation of car makers. In 1999, the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th century behind the Ford Model T. This distinctive two-door car was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis and was manufactured at the Longbridge and Cowley plants. The Mini Mk. I had three major UK updates; the Mk. II, the Clubman and the Mk. III. Within these were a series of variations including an estate car, a pick-up and a van. The Mini Cooper and Cooper ‘S’ were sportier versions that were successful as rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally four times from 1964 through to 1967. Initially Minis were marketed under the Austin and Morris names, as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor until Mini became a marque in its own right in 1969.