PLANS are currently being developed to celebrate the 40th 'birthday' of a motoring legend - the Mini.

Launched on August 26, 1959, the Austin Seven and the Morris Mini Minor took the world by storm.

Now in its 40th year of production, the Mini, as it became known, is still sold in markets around the world, particularly in the UK, mainland Europe and Japan.

Mini owners and enthusiasts alike will be able to celebrate the birthday at an exciting two-day event at Goodwood, near Chichester, over the weekend of August 21/22, 1999. The Goodwood race circuit played a part in the early launch days of the Mini and in the subsequent development of the Mini Cooper.

Further details on this event are currently in development, but if anyone would like to register to be kept informed, they can do so by visiting the Mini website on www.mini.co.uk.

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