Seven generations of Mini lined-up in Essen: Techno-Classica 2014

MINI used the Techno-Classica Essen show to introduce a fairly substantial - and one assumes, affluent - audience to its latest car to wear the famous badge. In the spirit of the event, and the Germans' love of model line-ups, MINI gave us a rare treat in the form of a seven-generation selection of classics built between 1959 and 2000.

The cars, which were supplied by BMW Tradition as well as various owners' clubs were great examples of each version of the car, and a great opportunity to see how the original evolved (or didn't, depending on your point of view) during its lifetime. 

As well as bringing along this model line-up, which certainly seemed to capture the attention of the crowds, Mini also used the Techno-Classica to celebrate the car's sensational success at the Rally Monte Carlo 50 years ago. The star of the show, was 33 EJB (top), which is owned by the British Motor industry Heritage Trust, and originally found fame when Paddy Hopkirk and and Henry Liddon took that famous Monte win.