3.99% FINANCING FOR UP TO 60 MONTHS ON NEW 2024 MINI MODELS

About Us

We opened this MINI dealership on Atlantic Blvd in 2000 inside the former Tom Bush Auto-Plex. In 2012, we moved next door into our own brand-new facility to better serve our growing customers!

Press

In 2002 we were awarded the MINI

franchise: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2002/03/18/daily51.html

 

In 2012 we opened our new store:

Cutting the ribbon


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TOM BUSH MINI IS PLEASED TO PROVIDE THE HISTORY OF THE MINI BRAND.

The MINI brand may be known for vehicles that are small in size but they have a big history that has spanned nearly 60 years! These fun, efficient, and high-quality vehicles have made a big name for themselves over the years, gaining a significant amount of attention. They have countless loyal fans all over the world that drive MINI exclusively. Plus, MINI has been making a big splash in the motorsport world almost since the very beginning with countless trophies to show for its accomplishments. Overall, this is a brand that was built on innovation and its long and illustrious history of success is a true testament to those who built this brand from scratch. In honor of this impressive history, Tom Bush MINI is taking a look back on some of the highlights from nearly six decades of innovation.

THE MINI BRAND IS BORN CIRCA 1957 - ALEC ISSIGONIS DESIGNS THE FIRST "MINI" FOR THE MORRIS CO.

The idea for the MINI brand first came about back in 1957. At the time, England was still in the midst of recovering from the fallout of WWII and now they had entered into the Suez Crisis. As a result, gas prices had skyrocketed which sent many looking for a more eco-friendly option than the larger vehicles that were the popular option at that time. While built strong, the larger, heavier design of these vehicles caused them to be quite the gas-guzzlers which was becoming an issue the more the price of gas increased. Therefore, Sir Leonard Lord of the Morris Company made it his mission to come up with a more economical solution. He challenged his top engineer, Alec Issigonis, to design and build a small vehicle that would be more fuel efficient and able to fit up to four adults.

MINI DESIGNS WERE TARGETED TO BE SMALL, YET ROOMY, ECONOMICAL, AND FUEL EFFICIENT CARS.

Issigonis met this challenge with several innovative solutions in order to minimize built while still maximizing passenger space. His solution was to turn the engine on its side, thus providing the vehicle with more stability while turning. He also pushed the wheels into the corners in order to provide passengers with increased leg room. Thus, the MINI brand was born when the first vehicles were launched in 1959.

A BRITISH '60'S HIT - MINI MODELS APPEALED TO THE MASSES - STYLISH AND ECONOMICAL

While customers were a bit confused by this tiny car when first released, it quickly gained popularity with its more economical compact size combined with the classic British vehicle-styling. In the end, the fun, agile design, and build of MINI cars truly fit into the overall culture of the 1960's, making it a hit with people from all different walks of life. From the free-spirited teenagers, to the working man to rock stars, and everyone in-between.

CEMENTING ITS APPEAL, THE MINI COOPER 997 PROVED ITSELF TO BE A COMPETENT ROAD RACER

It didn't take long for everyone to realize that the design of this vehicle provided more of a go-kart maneuverability plus, the transverse engine provided a high level of grip and balance by taking the bulk of the weight off the front tires. The combination made it ideal for performance racing. By 1961, British racing legend John Cooper had gotten his hands on this innovative little vehicle and put his own spin on it adding a few tweaks to the tuning, a more powerful engine, and larger brakes. Thus, creating the Classic Mini Cooper 997. This performance driven little vehicle quickly made a name for itself in the world of motorsports. The nimble design allowed it to easily outpace the competition taking home a large number of victories including three wins at Monte Carlo from 1964-1967.

BY 1969 MINI WORLDWIDE SALES ECLIPSED TWO MILLION - BY 1977 MORE THAN FOUR MILLION SOLD!

Total sales of Mini vehicles had already topped two million worldwide by 1969. The brand's popularity led to an expansion in the lineup with the introduction of pickup and station wagon versions. Moving on to 1977, total worldwide sales had surpassed four million although the U.S. had yet to experience the thrill of the newer Mini vehicles due to emissions regulations in the late 1960s.

THE MINI MODELS SUCCESSES CONTINUED TO DRIVE SALES REACHING 5 MILLION IN 1999

By 1999, sales of the classic MINI reached more than five million. The immense popularity of this model earned it recognition from a panel of 130 international automotive journalists; they voted it as the "European Car of the Century." That same year, MINI said goodbye to the classic MINI as it introduced the all-new MINI concept at the Paris Auto Show. The brand had taken the same essence of the Classic Mini and amped it up quite a bit, as they looked toward the upcoming 21st century.

TOM BUSH FAMILY OF DEALERSHIPS ACQUIRES MINI FRANCHISE IN 2001 TO SERVE NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTH GEORGIA

Jacksonville's Tom Bush Family of Dealerships is granted a MINI franchise, one of just 70 of the nation's more than 320 BMW dealers licensed to sell the model. BMW chose Tom Bush to receive a MINI franchise because of its high volume of Internet sales and the growth of the Jacksonville market. Read article here.

FURTHER MINI ACCOLADES - IN 2003 MINI WAS AWARDED THE NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR

The popularity of the MINI brand only continued to grow over time as the innovative and versatile capabilities of these fun vehicles continued to evolve, earning itself a 2003 North American Car of the Year Award. The hundreds of design innovations that the brand continued to develop made it possible for customers to completely personalize their MINI vehicles which inspires a number of unique looks representing owners everywhere. The introduction of the Hardtop in the US in 2002 only added even more fuel to the fire.

TOM BUSH MINI OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART, 5,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY ON ATLANTIC BOULEVARD IN JACKSONVILLE IN 2012

Tom Bush MINI completed a brand-new building at 9881 Atlantic Boulevard in 2012 to showcase the six body styles the standard MINI Cooper Hardtop, the Convertible, the Coupe, the Roadster, the Clubman wagon and the Countryman crossover. Pre-owned vehicles, CPO MINIs, Service and Parts are all offered within the new facility.

MINI CONTINUES TO ENHANCE AND IMPROVE INTRODUCING THE MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS TEAM

The MINI models that have been introduced within the past two decades, have perfectly melded the feel of the classic models with an amped up level of performance features and capabilities that have seen the MINI Motorsports teams continue their long-standing success on the track. The MINI John Cooper Works Team have continued their success with the John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door, one of the most powerful vehicles ever built by MINI.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS OF THE MINI - CONVERTIBLE MODELS OF THE MINI - ALL HAVE GAINED TRACTION

In addition to the John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door, the last few years also saw the introduction of several other models and featuring including the MINI Clubman, available ALL4 all-wheel drive, designs with increased seating, convertible options, two-seater options, and countless design and technology updates.

MINI MODELS HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME - VISIT TOM BUSH MINI IN JACKSONVILLE - CHECK THEM OUT

The MINI brand is one that has truly proven its capability of standing the test of time. As we look toward, the future movement for increased sustainability, has the brand looking towards options such as the 100% electric, zero-emissions MINI E. We can only imagine what innovative set the brand will take next.



Monday 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Tuesday 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Wednesday 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Thursday 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Friday 9:00AM - 8:00PM
Saturday 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Sunday Closed
Monday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Tuesday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Wednesday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Thursday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Friday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Sunday Closed
Monday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Tuesday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Wednesday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Thursday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Friday 7:00AM - 7:00PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Sunday Closed