The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The BMC Mini Cat designed by Zagato Milano.
The BMC Mini Cat by Zagato, unveiled at the London Motor Show in 1961, is a fascinating piece of automotive history that beautifully marries British engineering with Italian design flair. This one-of-a-kind prototype, officially called the Zagato Mini Gatto (cat in italian), was designed by the legendary Ercole Spada and built by the renowned Italian coachbuilder Zagato. It’s a car that stands out not just for its unique styling but also for its ambitious vision of bringing something truly special to Mini enthusiasts. What makes the Mini Cat truly interesting is its chassis. Zagato chose the longer wheelbase of the Mini van as its starting point, adding an extra four inches to the platform. This allowed for a sleeker design and increased interior space, making the car more practical while retaining its sporty coupe character. Measuring 3.70 meters long and 1.40 meters wide, it was considerably larger than the standard Mini saloon. Weighing in at 610kg; just 50kg more than the base model; the Mini Cat offered solid performance. In its most powerful form with a Cooper engine, it could achieve a top speed of over 90 mph. Even the standard 850cc version was no slouch, reaching speeds of over 80 mph. Unlike many other coachbuilt prototypes of its time, the Mini Cat wasn’t just a showpiece. It was intended to be sold to the public. Anthony Crook Motors, a well-known UK dealer, proudly announced plans for production, estimating 30 cars per week. However, those plans fell through when BMC declined to supply the necessary running gear, leaving the Mini Cat as a single prototype. After its stint on the motor show circuit, the car disappeared from view until 2007, when Mini collector and journalist Jeroen Booij rediscovered it. Following its restoration, the Mini Cat has been celebrated as a rare gem, a testament to the creativity and ambition of the 1960s automotive world. While it never reached full production, the Mini Cat remains a cherished piece of history, inspiring later designs like the Hillman Imp-based Zagato Zimp. Today, it stands as a reminder of the bold spirit of collaboration that defines truly unique cars.
Developed by Zagato in just nine months and introduced at the 1964 Earls Court Motor with a projected retail price of £1,200, the Zimp fell victim to the Rootes Group’s financial problems and never made it to production.
